AAVMC and Chewy Health Launch Nominations for 2027 Veterinary Student Scholarships

The American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) and Chewy Health have announced nominations are open for the 2027 Chewy Veterinary Leaders Program. This initiative will award $20,000 scholarships to 15 second-year veterinary students, aimed at fostering leadership among individuals from backgrounds with limited access to veterinary careers. The announcement was made on October 1, 2026.

Recipientes will be selected through nominations from AAVMC member institutions, with scholarship funds directed to their respective schools for the fall 2027 semester. The deadline for nominations is November 4, 2026.

The program provides more than just financial assistance. In addition to the scholarships, recipients will benefit from professional development resources, including monthly discussions led by MentorVet and participation in an in-person leadership summit at Chewy’s headquarters in Florida. Following graduation, students will engage in a 6-month mentorship and professional development program before joining the Chewy Veterinary Leaders alumni network.

Emma K. Read, DVM, MVSc, DACVS, CEO of the AAVMC, emphasized the importance of developing future leaders in veterinary medicine. She described the combination of funding, mentorship, and a supportive peer network as an excellent foundation for promising students.

Mita Malhotra, president of Chewy Health, characterized the program as an investment in the educational journey of future veterinarians, providing support during a critical phase of their careers.

For nominations, each U.S. member institution of the AAVMC can submit one eligible student, accompanied by a letter from the school’s dean. Eligibility criteria and further details are available at apply.aavmc.org.

The AAVMC collaborates with veterinary colleges and schools globally to enhance educational standards and address critical challenges in the field, while Chewy Health focuses on creating digital tools to streamline veterinary operations and enhance animal care. Read encouraged enthusiastic students to seize this opportunity, which will provide scholarships starting in the fall 2027 semester and extend through structured mentorship into their early professional lives.