Horserace Betting Levy Board

The Horserace Betting Levy Board invites applications for new Veterinary Research Training Scholarships and Senior Equine Clinical Scholarships for the year beginning 1st October 2011.

• Veterinary Research Training Scholarships offer 3-year funding to veterinary graduates who wish to pursue a PhD programme in any scientific or veterinary field relevant to equines and particularly the racing or breeding Thoroughbred.

• Senior Equine Clinical Scholarships allow veterinary graduates with at least 2 years’ experience to train for a higher qualification, such as an European Diploma, over 4 years. The qualification must be in an equine field with particular relevance to the Thoroughbred.

Applications for both types of award must be made by the prospective supervisor within an eligible institution, such as university veterinary school, other university department and research institute. Awards include a tax-free stipend to cover living costs and an expense allowance for research costs and other purposes directly relevant to the scholarship.

Professor Tim Skerry, Deputy Chair of the HBLB’s Veterinary Advisory Committee and Chair of its Education Sub Committee, commented: “Investment in training the equine researchers and specialist clinicians of the future is fundamental to support the on-going health and welfare of racing and breeding horses. Maintaining an annual round of education awards has been a priority, despite the challenging financial environment.”

The deadline for submission of applications is midnight on Wednesday 4 May 2011. Applications will be assessed by the HBLB’s Veterinary Advisory Committee with the awards to be announced in September.

For full information and to apply, please download an application pack from here.

For further details please contact the HBLB Equine Grants team at equine.grants@hblb.org.uk.


Notes for editors:

One of HBLB’s statutory objectives is to apply horserace betting levy income for purposes conducive to the advancement or encouragement of veterinary science or veterinary education.

HBLB currently supports 7 research scholarships and 6 clinical scholarships, investing to maintain a pool of highly skilled equine veterinary researchers and clinicians in the UK.

Equine research leaders and industry figures who are former HBLB Scholars include the Chief Executive of the Animal Health Trust, Director of the Weipers Centre for Equine Welfare at the University of Glasgow, Head of Equine Studies at the University of Liverpool and Head of the Large Animal Hospital at the University of Edinburgh.

In practice, former HBLB Scholars include the Managing Partner of Rossdale & Partners Veterinary Surgeons, Newmarket and leading veterinary surgeons at the Bell Equine Veterinary Clinic and Three Counties Equine Hospital, as well as senior veterinarians at the university equine hospitals.