Background: The purpose of the Merck Animal Health Doctoral Fellowship is to provide funding over the course of three years to an outstanding student pursuing their PhD in Poultry Science, with a focus on animal health. Innovative, applied, and basic aspects of poultry science will be considered, including such areas as intestinal health, immunology, poultry pathology and disease, molecular biology, and vaccine technology and development. (NOTE: Award is contingent upon available funding.)
Timeline/Details: The Fellowship will be worth $100,000 over a three-year period, subject to satisfactory progress. The amount of $33,000 will be paid at the start of the Fellowship, $33,000 in the second year, and $34,000 in the final year. The deadline for application is March 1st prior to the start of the Fellowship. A committee of four Poultry Science Association members and one Merck Animal Health representative will review submitted applications and select the recipient of the Fellowship.
Qualifications to Apply:
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Active student membership with PSA.
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Currently pursuing a PhD degree in Poultry Science.
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Attending a United States based institution of study.
Application Materials and Judging Criteria: All applicants must be a student member of the Poultry Science Association at the time of application and be attending a United States-based institution at the time of the study. Each application must consist of a complete resume or CV documenting education, community service activities, honors and awards, and work experience. In addition, the application must include the following:
a. Name and Contact Information of the Applicant and Mentor or Advisor leading the research project. (NOTE: This individual should have demonstrable achievements in the field of research being proposed.)
i. Resume/CV of Applicant (maximum 2 pages)
ii. Resume/CV of Mentor or Advisor leading the Project (maximum 3 pages)
iii. Professional biographical sketch of Mentor or Advisor (1,000 character limit)
b. A description of the research project including:
i. Title of project
ii. Clear description of how the research will be conducted (maximum of 750 characters)
iii. Principal objectives of the project, including specific purpose and goals (maximum of 1000 characters)
iv. Justification as it relates to the importance for the poultry industry (maximum of 1500 characters)
v. Experimental methods to achieve the project objectives (maximum of 750 characters)
vi. Expected outcomes (maximum of 1500 characters)
c. Institutional Unit Description including:
i. Organization involved and where the research will be conducted
ii. Details about the facilities
iii. Special circumstances (if any)
iv. Any collaborative facilities involved, as well as details about key individuals involved in the study from those facilities
Progress Reports: An annual progress report will be required within the first three months of the first and second years of the project. A final report will be required within three months of project completion.
Agree to video interview if requested.