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UFAW SAWI Fund Animal Welfare Student Scholarships

Open for Applications

Background

The UFAW SAWI Animal Welfare Student Scholarship awards are based on the successful UFAW Animal Welfare Student Scholarship Scheme (formerly the UFAW Vacation Scholarship Awards) developed in 1983 by the UK-based Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW). The aim of this scheme is to enable students to pursue their interests in animal welfare and to provide them with the opportunity to conduct relevant research or other (e.g. educational) projects.

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?

Student Scholarships consist of £200 per week subsistence allowance for the Scholar plus £50 per week to the department for project expenses. Projects may be carried out at any time and usually last between four and eight weeks. Support is provided for up to 8 weeks, although projects themselves may be longer than this. Payments are made prior to the commencement of the project by cheques made out to the Scholar and the Supervisor’s Department. Projects may last for longer but funding will only be provided for up to eight weeks. Projects do not have to be carried out in Israel; however no extra money is available for travelling expenses.

What is involved?

Projects must be relevant to improving the welfare of farm, laboratory, companion, zoo or wild animals whose welfare is compromised by humans. Project work undertaken may be part of a student's course, an extension of course-work, or a new project on a topic of interest to the applicant. Students are encouraged to design their own project proposals, but they should seek guidance from tutors and heads of department 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

An application form is available from UFAW. This 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:

• Aim
• Methods
• If animals are to be involved, the number and type of animals to be studied.
• Details of any necessary ethical approvals or licence
• Animal welfare benefits: how the work may lead to improvements in animals’ quality of life. NB Much as UFAW applauds research that advances species conservation and other important issues – this scholarship scheme is for work that addresses animal welfare.
• How any significant findings will be used and/or made available to others (eg publications/presentations)

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

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 past 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