What is the Nebraska Production Animal Rural Veterinarian Grant Program?
The program is designed to attract recent veterinary graduates and new veterinarians to rural Nebraska by offering financial grants to establish or join production animal veterinary practices.
Who is eligible to apply for the grant?
Eligible applicants include recent new practicing veterinarians who have accepted a job offer in a rural Nebraska veterinary clinic focused on production animals or established a new clinic in rural Nebraska.
What are the requirements to receive the grant?
To receive the grant, applicants must:
- Have graduated with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree since Fall 2023/Spring 2024 and agreed to practice or establish a veterinary practice in rural Nebraska on or after January 1, 2025.
- Accept a position in a Rural Nebraska veterinary clinic dedicated to a minimum of 80% production animal work or establish a new clinic with the same dedication.
- Reside in Nebraska after job acceptance or clinic establishment.
- Commit to practicing in Nebraska for at least eight years in a qualifying clinic.
What is the grant amount, and how many recipients will be selected?
The program will award $150,000 each to 13 new entrants.
What does "Rural Nebraska" mean?
Rural Nebraska refers to counties in Nebraska with a population of less than 40,000.
When will the grant be paid?
The grant will be paid in full after the grantee successfully meets all requirements for eight consecutive years.
How can I apply for the grant?
The application form is available at dol.nebraska.gov/ruralvetgrant.
What selection criteria will be used?
Applicants will be evaluated based on their aptitude for production animal veterinary practice, including:
- Demonstrated interest in production animal health.
- Relevant experience in animal health or production livestock.
- Involvement in agricultural or veterinary co-curricular activities.
- Academic success.
- Commitment to serving rural Nebraska.
Are there any exclusions from the program?
Yes, Nebraska's Elite 11 scholarship recipients are excluded from applying for this grant program.
What obligations do grant recipients have?
Grant recipients must agree to the terms of the grant and report annually to the Nebraska Department of Labor.