UFAW Vacation Scholarship Awards

Information and Application Form

UFAW established the vacation scholarship award scheme in 1983 to encourage students to develop an interest in animal welfare and to provide them with the opportunity to conduct relevant research. The scheme has been extremely worthwhile, resulting in a high standard of project reports and findings of practical benefit to the welfare of animals.

Who is eligible to apply?

Applications are welcome from undergraduates (or equivalent) in agricultural, biological, medical, veterinary or zoological sciences. Students must be registered at a university or college in the British Isles. Preference is given to undergraduates, but applications from MSc students on appropriate courses will also be considered.

How much is the award?

Successful applicants receive £140 subsistence and £30 departmental expenses for every week of study up to a maximum of £1360 (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 the UK but no extra money is available for travel costs.

What is involved?

Vacation scholarship research projects must have clear relevance to improving the well-being of farm, laboratory, companion, wild or zoo animals. It is a strict requirement that projects do not include work which would normally be carried out as part of a student's course although extensions of course work are acceptable. Students are encouraged to design their own project proposals, but they should seek guidance from tutors and heads of department to ensure 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).

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 UFAW by 28th February 2006. However, it is strongly advised that applications reach UFAW considerably earlier than this as we strictly adhere to the deadline.

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.

The final report

On completion of the experimental work, students must write up and submit an original copy of the full report, including an abstract, by 1st November of the same year. Reports should be typed and spiral bound 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
  • Effects of light spectrum on the behaviour of fish in laboratory aquaria
  • Investigating the behavioural consequences of positive handling of pre-parturient heifers prior to introduction to a dairy herd
  • Evaluation of the use of a mirror as a form of enrichment for group-housed mice.

Applying for a Vacation Scholarship

Application forms are available from UFAW, The Old School, Brewhouse Hill, Wheathampstead, Herts AL4 8AN, e-mail ufaw@ufaw.org.uk. Alternatively you can download an electronic application form or download a PDF application form The closing date for receipt of applications is 28th February 2006. 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.

Updated September 2005