The Poultry Science Association Foundation has partnered with Merck Animal Health to establish fellowships for graduate students studying poultry science. The grant was announced during the recent Arkansas Nutrition Conference.
The Merck Animal Health Fellowships will support the research of three doctoral students in poultry sciences for three years, with one fellowship beginning in 2016, 2017 and 2018.
Students interested in innovative applied and basic poultry science research related to intestinal health, immunology, poultry pathology and disease, molecular biology or vaccine technology and development will be considered for the Merck Animal Health Fellowships.
Merck Animal Health’s grant for the education of talented graduate students pursuing a career in poultry science was made through the PSA Foundation Charting Our Course – Securing Future Leadership for Poultry Campaign (Capital Campaign).
“We, at Merck Animal Health, recognise that poultry scientists are critical to our future,” said Shannon Kellner, Poultry Business Unit Head, Merck Animal Health. “We are committed to investing in their futures through fellowships such as this, and believe this opportunity will help prepare students for their vital roles within the poultry industry and contribute to advancements in poultry health and performance.”
Nationwide student recruitment for the Merck Animal Health Fellowships is anticipated to begin in early September and the application process will be completed in the fall of 2015. Merck Animal Health and the PSA Foundation will announce the 2016 recipient during Merck Animal Health Luncheon at the US Poultry and Egg Association International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE). IPPE will be held in Atlanta, Ga., January 26-28, 2016.
The Capital Campaign was launched by the PSA Foundation in January 2015 and aims to develop scientific leaders in subject matter areas, such as poultry genetics, health and nutrition, and food safety and quality, for the poultry enterprise and allied industry. Funds of the Capital Campaign are used to award undergraduate internships, undergraduate scholarships, graduate fellowships, travel grants and preceptor/mentoring grants.