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V.E.T. Student Equine Externship Grant Program

Submit Online Application

Veterinarians Encouraging and Teaching proudly announces its Student Equine Externship Grant Program, designed to empower and provide financial support to veterinary students interested in entering equine practice. Awards up to $1,500 are available to veterinary students who complete an externship in equine practice. 

Externships are intended to enhance equine curriculum, exposing students to clinical experience earlier in their careers. Grants enable students to spend ample time in an externship learning basic equine skills. Additionally, the experience fosters a mentee relationship with veterinarians who have successfully navigated many of the same challenges faced by students today choosing similar career paths.

Grants apply to private clinical practice experience only and are specifically intended to defray travel and associated expenses incurred while completing the externship. 

Students in all 4 years of veterinary college are eligible to apply. Applicants must be full-time students at a US veterinary college. 

Grants are limited to 1 grant per trimester per applicant. Receiving a grant does not disqualify applicants from applying in succeeding seasons. 

3 grants will be awarded per season.

Submit Online Application

Applications Starting  

Winter 2026

  • Externship Period:
    Jan. 1, 2026 - Apr. 30, 2026
  • Applications Accepted:
    Oct. 15, 2025 - Dec. 1, 2025
  • Award Announcement:
    Dec. 15, 2025

Spring 2026

  • Externship Period:
    May. 1, 2026 - Aug. 31, 2026
  • Applications Accepted:
    Feb. 15, 2026 - Apr. 1, 2026
  • Award Announcement:
    Apr. 15, 2026

Fall 2026

  • Externship Period:
    Sep. 1, 2026 - Dec. 31, 2026
  • Applications Accepted:
    Jun. 15, 2026 - Aug. 1, 2026
  • Award Announcement:
    Aug. 15, 2026

How To Apply

  • 1
    Complete the online Externship Application Form. Applications can be reviewed/edited until the close date.
  • 2
    Students must obtain and submit a letter describing the capabilities and services offered by the desired practice and student housing offered.

Grant funds will be disbursed in 2 installments: The first 50% upon approval of the grant, and the balance upon successful completion of the externship and submission of an Externship Report. Externship Reports consist of a short case report or journal, to be submitted within 30 days of completion of the externship.

Insurance and Liability Information

If the practice’s supervising veterinarians are insured for professional liability through the AVMA PLIT, preceptor coverage can be purchased for $10. This is an endorsement to the veterinarian’s policy and duplicates the policy limits for the student. The student must be a SCAVMA member and be currently attending an accredited veterinary college. It is strongly recommended that students have professional liability coverage in place.

V.E.T. suggests that all practices and students contact their insurance carrier or workers compensation insurance carrier to decrease liability to the practice in the case of student injury during the externship. The AVMA and some state VMAs provide resources to decrease both your and your clients’ risk of liability. Resources include liability waivers for students, appropriate oversight of students, training on safety when working with animals, and obtaining insurance through your insurance carrier.

Some veterinary colleges extend their insurance coverage for work-related injuries to students participating in externships. Students should verify coverage with their college administration.

Rosslyn Biggs, DVM

Biography

Dr. Rosslyn Biggs was raised in Oklahoma as part of a farming and ranching family. She attended Oklahoma State University where she completed a bachelor’s of science degree in Agricultural Economics in 2001. Dr. Biggs graduated from Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2004 becoming a second-generation veterinarian.

Upon graduation she spent three years as a mixed animal practitioner in Chickasha, Oklahoma. She joined USDA APHIS Veterinary Services in 2007 as a Field Veterinary Medical Officer. In 2015, Dr. Biggs joined the APHIS VS Veterinary Export Trade Services as Assistant Veterinarian In Charge managing international exports of live animals and animal products in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas and Missouri.

Dr. Biggs made the move to Oklahoma State University as an assistant clinical professor in summer of 2019. She currently serves as Director for the Center for Rural Veterinary Medicine and Director of Continuing Education for the College of Veterinary Medicine and Beef Cattle Specialist for Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service. Her professional interests include rural veterinary issues, biosecurity, disease traceability, veterinary personal development/team dynamics, and beef cattle production. She and her husband also maintains 180 Consulting focused on animal health, veterinary, and legal expertise. She and her husband have two girls and are actively involved in the family farming and ranching operations. They stand four stallions and maintain a small group of embryo donors and recipient mares.