Graduate Student Support Program (GSSP)

GSSP Funding Categories

GSSP awards are intended as supplemental funds only.  Please note that for each application submitted, the mentor and student must identify other confirmed funding on the financial page in order to ensure the acceptance and review of their application. Although GSSP awards are made for one year only, previous award recipients are not excluded from applying for consecutive awards annually. Generally, no award is made in an amount greater than $20,000. GSSP awards are provided for stipend, tuition, and fees only.

GSSP Funding Categories

GSSP funds are made available annually on a competitive basis to eligible applicants in six different funding categories:

1. Matching funds in support of extramurally-funded research training programs
2. Funding "packages" in support of individual PhD programs
3. Professional Masters Degree programs (e.g., MPVM, MPH)
4. Emergency funds for continuing students
5. Clinical Research Training Programs
6. Veterinary Scientist Training Program (VSTP)

Categorical funding allocations are sufficiently flexible to allow for tactical mid-year corrections in order to most effectively utilize available funds.

Matching Funds in Support of Extramurally-Funded Research Training Programs

Pre- and post-doctoral research training programs funded usually by extramural agencies (e.g., NIH-supported) often require institutional matching funds as a condition of application and award. Therefore, GSSP funds shall be made available as matching funds for research training program applications if funded positions have been targeted specifically to, and are intended to be occupied by, veterinary students and/or veterinarians. The amount of the match will vary depending on individual application requirements. In all cases, extramurally-funded research training programs with a mandated institutional match will receive priority over programs without a required match. Special considerations shall be made for insuring funding for existing programs before allocating funds to new programs.

Funding "Packages" in Support of Individual PhD Programs

Traditional graduate PhD degree programs utilize a variety of sources by which to support living stipends, including block grants, individual faculty research grant funds, Center funds, and others. Assembling a variety of funding sources is essential to meeting the salary expectations of post-DVM students so as to be competitive and thus attract and recruit the most outstanding individuals. Further, candidates in traditional PhD programs usually spend most of their first year(s) in classes rather than in conducting laboratory research which sometimes makes it difficult for faculty mentors to provide or justify financial support during this time. Therefore, GSSP funds shall be made available to complete funding "packages" for individuals who already have the professional veterinary degree (DVM, VMD, or equivalent foreign degree based on curricula and training), and who are enrolled in a graduate group. The amount of GSSP funds to assemble support "packages" shall vary according to the graduate group and be dependent upon the level of contribution by the faculty mentor as demonstrated in a comprehensive multi-year financial plan submitted by the mentor in support of the candidate.

Professional Masters Degree Programs

Professional Masters Degree applicants are individuals who have been accepted into the professional veterinary (DVM) degree program, are concurrently pursuing the DVM degree, or already have the professional veterinary degree (DVM, VMD, or equivalent foreign degree based on curricula and training), and who are enrolled in a Professional Masters Degree program (e.g., MPVM, MPH). GSSP funding shall be allocated for a period of up to two years (one year of the senior year of the professional DVM curriculum and one year of the Professional Masters Degree training) at an amount not to exceed predoctoral stipend levels recommended by the NIH (see "NRSA Stipends - FY 2007" )The likelihood of funding from GSSP shall also depend on the amount of matching funds provided by the Masters Degree Program group in support of the candidate.

Emergency Funds for Continuing Students

GSSP funds are available to ensure continued, uninterrupted funding for an individual through to completion of their advanced scientific training. This category of funds is intended as "emergency funds" to provide backup in case all other funding opportunities for completing a candidate's training have been exhausted and the candidate is at risk of not being able to finish due solely to financial considerations. Continuing students shall have priority over new students for GSSP funds in this category.

Clinical Research Training Programs

Veterinarians who are eligible to engage in formal clinical research training are eligible to seek funding from GSSP. Formal clinical research training can be conducted in various ways, most notably through the Mentored Clinical Research Training Program (MCRTP). Entry level and junior clinical faculty are eligible to apply for GSSP support for clinical research training.

Veterinary Scientist Training Program (VSTP)

VSTP students are individuals who have been accepted into the DVM program or are concurrently pursuing the professional veterinary degree (DVM), and who are enrolled in a graduate group while working towards the PhD. GSSP funding shall be allocated for a minimum of two VSTP students/year. Funding shall be made available for a period of up to seven years (up to four years of the professional curriculum and up to three years of graduate training) and at an amount not to exceed predoctoral stipend levels recommended by the NIH (see "NRSA Stipends - FY 2007").

Questions?

Please contact Sue Kanoho at (530)754-7746 or e-mail the SVM Graduate Student Support Program at svmgssp@ucdavis.edu with any questions or concerns.