Regional Veterinary Student Placement Scholarship

1. Background

a. Established in 2025 through generous funds from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) this Scholarship aims to support Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) students undertaking unpaid placements in regional NSW as part of their course requirements.

b. Through these placement scholarships DPIRD hopes to increase student exposure to regional veterinary practices whilst strengthening veterinary employment pipelines into these areas within NSW.

2. Eligibility

a. Applicants must be currently enrolled in a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree at the University of Sydney and be required to undertake placements as part of their degree in the year of award.

b. Applicants must be undertaking an unpaid placement in one of the following areas:

I. a small animal veterinary practice in regional NSW,
II. a large animal or mixed animal practice in regional NSW, including Local Land Services,
III. Local Land Services public veterinary service with a district veterinarian in regional NSW.

c. For the purposes of this scholarship:

I. regional NSW is defined as anywhere in NSW excluding Greater Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong.
II. placement period must be a minimum of 3 weeks and be undertaken between 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2026.
III. students are only eligible to receive one scholarship, unless prior approval has been obtained by DPIRD.

d. Applicants must agree to comply with the University of Sydney Student Placement and Projects Policy.

3. Selection Criteria

a. The Scholarship will be awarded on the basis of:

I. academic merit,
II. acceptance into one of the unpaid placements as outlined in clause 2.b., and
III. a personal statement outlining how the scholarship will assist them during their placement and their interest in the type of placement they’re undertaking.

b. Preference will be given to applicants who are in their final year of study and able to demonstrate the financial need or hardship.

c. The Scholarship will be awarded by the Head of School of Veterinary Science or their nominated delegate/s.

4. Value

a. The Scholarship value is structured based on the type of unpaid placement undertaken:

I. $1,500 for a small animal regional veterinary placement,
II. $3,000 for a large/mixed animal regional veterinary placement, and
III. $3,000 for a Local Land Services regional district veterinary placement.

b. The Scholarship value will be paid as a one-off payment on acceptance of placement in one of the areas specified in clause 2.b, and enrolment in the relevant unit of study.

c. Deferral of the Scholarship is not permitted without the prior permission of DPIRD and the Head of School of Veterinary Science or their nominated delegate, and it is not transferable to another University school, faculty or university.

d. The Scholarship will be offered subject to the availability of funds.

e. No other amount is payable.

5. Termination

a. The Scholarship will be terminated if the recipient:

I. withdraws from an eligible course or fails to enrol,
II. withdraws from the placement,
III. commences part-time study without prior approval,
IV. does not maintain satisfactory academic performance or satisfactory progress in the placement,
V. fails to comply with the University’s Student Placement and Projects Policy,
VI. is determined by the University to be guilty of serious misconduct, including, but not limited to, having provided false or misleading information as part of their Scholarship application,
VII. accepts an alternative placement scholarship funded by DPIRD, unless prior approval has been obtained by DPIRD,
VIII. does not resume study at the end of a period of approved leave, or
IX. any other provision as indicated in these terms that would lead to termination.

b. Once the Scholarship has been terminated, it will not be reinstated unless due to University error.

c. Where a student is found guilty of serious misconduct or the Scholarship is terminated under any instance in the Termination Clause of these terms and conditions, the University reserves the right to request that any Scholarship funds paid to the Scholarship recipient be reimbursed.
6. Other Requirements

a. At the conclusion of the placement, recipients may be invited to provide de‑identified feedback. Participation is optional, and any feedback provided will be shared with DPIRD.