Publications by the National Research Council and National Academy of Sciences have highlighted a continuing shortage of veterinarian-scientists nationwide and the pressing need to train more. In addition, the 2014 NIH Physician-Scientist Workforce Report stressed the need for more veterinarian- scientists. Expansion of the pool of veterinarian-scientists is also a key component of the NIH Office of Research Infrastructure Programs Strategic Plan for 2021 to 2025, where it is argued that veterinarian- scientists are critical for public health, infectious disease research, development of animal models for human disease, and biomedical research overall. Recruitment of veterinary students into biomedical research careers could have a profound impact on both human and animal health. Exposure of veterinary students early in their training to biomedical research has been shown to increase the numbers of veterinarians who pursue biomedical research careers. For the past 33 years the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, has administered a short-term summer research program for first and second year veterinary students to participate in research training, plus seminars on career opportunities and career development, as well as opportunities for networking with veterinarian- scientist mentors. This program has enabled 496 different veterinary students to perform biomedical research with 187 different faculty mentors. In this program, veterinary students, with the help of an executive committee, identify faculty sponsors. A group of 32 well-funded and experienced faculty serve as the core training mentors, though students can potentially chose any qualified mentor at Penn. With guidance from mentors, students apply to the program by writing a research proposal that is well defined and addresses an interesting problem in biomedical research. Applications are reviewed with respect to the credentials of the student, merit of the research proposal, and training environment of the sponsor's laboratory. Students perform research in the mentor's laboratory during the months of June, July, and August and participate in weekly seminars that emphasize career opportunities and career development. Students receive training in grant writing, data presentation in written, poster and oral formats, and information on career opportunities in academia, industry, and government. Students also participate in trips to NIH, the Philadelphia Science Center, and the National Veterinary Scholars Symposium (NVSS). In total, students present their research in an oral seminar, in poster format, and in the form of a written scientific manuscript. Thus, students receive training in all aspects of biomedical research. Outcomes data indicate that Program graduates are much more likely to pursue further education and to enter research careers in academia, industry, or government, and are less likely to pursue private practice careers.

The National Academy of Sciences has identified a critical shortage of veterinarians in biomedical research careers. The proposed training program provides veterinary students early in their veterinary school careers with training in all aspects of biomedical research, and provides them with information and advice on biomedical research careers. Outcomes data indicate that Program graduates are much more likely to pursue further education, PhD training, and research careers in academia, industry, or government, and are less likely to pursue private practice clinical careers.