UFAW/SAWI Fund Vacation Scholarship Awards

 

Information and Application form

The UFAW/SAWI Fund Vacation Scholarship Awards are based on the successful Vacation Scheme developed in 1983 by the UK-based Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW). In many cases, Vacation Scholars have published papers in scientific literature as a result of their vacation work, and these projects have helped provide a first step in a career working with, or for, animals. It is hoped that the UFAW/SAWI Fund Vacation Scholarship Scheme will prove equally valuable in helping to promote animal welfare science in Israel.

 

Who Is Eligible to apply?

Applications are welcome from undergraduates in agricultural, biological, medical, veterinary or zoological sciences. Students must be registered at either a university or college in Israel.

How much is the award?

Successful applicants receive 1500 Shekels subsistence and departmental expenses for every week of study up to a maximum of 12,000 Shekels (eight weeks). Projects are normally conducted during the summer vacation (June – September) and last between four and eight weeks. Projects do not have to be carried out in Israel; however no extra money is available for travelling expenses.

What is involved?

Vacation Scholarship research projects must have clear relevance to improving the well-being of farm, laboratory, companion, wild or zoo animals. Students are encouraged to design their own project proposals, but they should seek guidance from tutors to ensure that the proposal has a sound scientific methodology, that all necessary facilities are available, and that the work will be properly supervised. Alternatively, supervisors who find a suitable candidate can apply.

 

Applying for an award

All applications should be submitted on an application form (available from UFAW). The form asks for a concise outline of the proposed study and, where applicable, reference to scientific papers or other work relevant to the investigation. Applications must include a reference from the supervisor and comments by the Head of Department. If a student is to conduct the project at an external establishment (eg zoo or research institute) they must seek prior permission in writing from the appropriate person (eg curator, director). Click here to download an application form.   An information leaflet about the award can be downloaded here.

 

 

Applications should include details of:

 

  • The number and type of animals to be studied
  • Experimental methods (eg type of behavioural observation, statistical tests)
  • Whether the project is to be carried out under a Home Office licence
  • How any significant findings will be used and/or made available to others (eg publications/presentations)

 

Completed applications must reach the UFAW offices by 28th February 2010.

The applications will be assessed by a panel of judges and then all applicants will be notified of the outcome of this process. Successful students will receive full details and administrative notes at this stage.

Applications are welcome from undergraduates in agricultural, biological, medical, veterinary or zoological sciences. Students must be registered at a university or college in Israel. Postgraduate students are not eligible to apply for this award. Click here to download an application form.

 

 

The Final Report

On completion of the project, students must write up and submit an original copy of the full report, including an abstract, to UFAW by 1st November of the same year. Reports should be printed out and must be accompanied by at least one photograph or slide of good quality which is relevant to the work and which can be used to illustrate the project in the UFAW News-Sheet or Annual Report.

The work carried out by scholars should be regarded as confidential to UFAW unless permission to publish is specifically requested. Copies of any publications arising from the work should be forwarded to UFAW.

Examples of recent Vacation Scholarships

-           Evaluation of pain and distress associated with equine castration

-           Social housing of chimpanzees: the effects of group size and structure on social behaviour and relationships

-           Monitoring stress in cats housed in rescue shelters using a non-invasive technique

-           Investigating the behavioural consequences of positive handling of pre-parturient heifers prior to introduction to a dairy herd

 

Applying for a Vacation Scholarship

Application forms are available from UFAW/SAWI Fund, The Old School, Brewhouse Hill, Wheathampstead, Herts AL4 8AN, e-mail ufaw@ufaw.org.uk. Alternatively you can click here to download an application form. The closing date for receipt of applications is 28th February 2010. All applications should be typed and should be accompanied by a copy of the applicants CV. If sending your application by e-mail please ensure that a signed copy is sent by post as applications that are unsigned cannot be considered.