WASHINGTON, D.C. — The American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) and Chewy Health officially opened nominations for the 2027 Chewy Veterinary Leaders Program, expanding their strategic initiative to cultivate future leaders in veterinary medicine. The high-impact program will award $20,000 scholarships to 15 second-year veterinary students, pairing financial support with long-term mentorship and executive leadership training.
Now in its multi-year rollout, the Chewy Veterinary Leaders Program was established to support promising students from underserved backgrounds and limited-access communities. By addressing critical barriers to veterinary education—such as rising tuition costs and post-graduation debt—the program equips emerging clinicians with the non-clinical skills needed to build sustainable, high-growth career.
Comprehensive Mentorship & Post-Graduation Support
Selected scholars receive direct financial assistance disbursed to their academic institutions for the Fall 2027 semester, paired with holistic career support:
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Curated Leadership Curricula: Bi-monthly peer support groups facilitated in partnership with MentorVet.
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On-Site Executive Training: An all-expenses-paid, in-person leadership retreat at Chewy’s headquarters in Plantation, Florida.
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Post-Graduation Career Bridge: Fully funded access to MentorVet LEAP—a six-month professional transition program—plus lifetime entry into the Chewy Veterinary Leaders alumni network.
“The future of veterinary medicine depends heavily on the quality of leaders that are developed today,” said Dr. Emma K. Read, Chief Executive Officer of the AAVMC. “We encourage students who are eager to take the next step in their leadership journey to work with their institutions to apply for this vital program.”
Nomination Guidelines & Key Deadlines
Participation requires official institutional endorsement. Each U.S. AAVMC member school may nominate one eligible second-year veterinary student who demonstrates strong academic standing, leadership potential, and a commitment to service.
Institutional faculty representatives can submit complete nomination packages online prior to the November 4, 2026 cutoff.
