NAVC Colin F. Burrows International Scholar Program

Veterinary Scholarship providing world-class veterinary CE to overseas practitioners

Founded in 1995, the NAVC International Scholarship Program was created to invite attendees from Cuba, Eastern Europe, South America and the Middle East to the annual Veterinary Meeting & Expo (VMX formerly the North American Veterinary Community (NAVC) Conference). As a nonprofit association, the NAVC’s Mission is “To provide world-class continuing professional development for the global veterinary healthcare community.” In 2014, the NAVC partnered with the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) in the candidate selection process and in 2015, the program was renamed the “NAVC Colin F. Burrows International Scholar Program.”

The NAVC supports at least three candidates through this veterinary scholarship per year, with a focus on each of the three WSAVA Regions:

• Europe, Africa and the Middle East
• Asia and Oceania
• The Americas
• An additional candidate is also selected from Africa (Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda or Zambia) and is nominated by the Board of the ProSalus Foundation 's(formerly the WSAVA Foundation’s) African Small Companion Animal Network (AFSCAN) for the Professor Michael J. Day AFSCAN Scholarship

The ProSalus Foundation (formerly the WSAVA Foundation) solicits candidates through its 116 Assembly member association representatives with preference being given to applicants from the WSAVA’s Tier 1 and Tier 2 associations. Nominations beyond these processes are acceptable if the candidate meets the scholarship criteria.

WSAVA Assembly member association representatives are invited to nominate one (1) candidate from their country’s association. Preference will be given to applicants who are active members of their association, and have the potential to develop and support continuing veterinary education in their region.

All Selected International Scholars receive:

• One (1) complimentary VMX registration
• Round-trip economy class airfare from your nearest airport to Orlando, FL
• Seven (7) nights hotel accommodations
• Seven (7) days of per diem
• One (1) complimentary Hands-on Workshop (based on availability)
• A current NAVC Board of Director or Past President to serve as a host while on-site
• Invitation to special events as a VIP
• A Pre-VMX meet/greet
• A Post-VMX interview

DEADLINE

All applications for this veterinary scholarship program must be completed and submitted no later than August 15, 2025 to be eligible.

Applicants will be notified of their status in September 2025.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Candidates will be assessed against the following standards/criteria:

• Prior experience and involvement with veterinary continuing education programs in the nominee’s home country or region
• Potential to use the VMX (formerly the NAVC Conference) experience to foster improved veterinary continuing education and medicine in the nominee’s home country and/or region
• Demonstrated leadership qualities
• For consideration as the Professor Michael J. Day AFSCAN scholar, candidates must meet the following criteria:
  • Applicants should be between 5–15 years after graduation from veterinary school
  • Applicants must be an active member of their Association in one of the 10 AFSCAN countries: Angola, Burundi, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia
  • Applicants should have the potential to develop, support and expand veterinary continuing education in their region
  • Applicants should be fluent in the English language
  • Applicants must be eligible for a visa to the USA

Each successful candidate will be contacted by an NAVC representative in September of the year preceding the upcoming VMX (formerly the NAVC Conference), to explain the details of the award, to arrange details of travel, assist with necessary visa applications, etc. 

International Scholars

*NOTE: There were no International Scholars awarded for 2021 or 2022 as a result of the global pandemic