The BVNA Life-long Learner Bursary was set up in memory of Louise O’Dwyer whose passion centred around the continuous enhancement of the veterinary nursing profession.
The BVNA will support registered veterinary nurses (RVN) by contributing up to 50% of a course fee, up to the value of £2,000. For example, a total course fee of £3,500 would attract a bursary of £1,750.  One bursary fund will be available each year.

BURSARY CRITERIA:
• Applicants must be an RVN
• Applicants must have been a member of the BVNA for at least 3 months prior to the closing date of 30 June 2024.
• The course identified by the applicant, must be an accredited course that leads to a specific qualification from an awarding body/organisation. The application includes a brief outline of the purpose for which the bursary is required.  The course should be described e.g., part-time, full time, modular, residential, etc., state the venue, the date, the name of the course organiser and itemise course fees.
• It is anticipated that the course will start in 2025.
• The applicant must complete a 500–1000-word report to explain why they want to attend their proposed course, how they imagine that the skills and knowledge they learn will enhance their nursing practice and what support they will receive to complete the qualification.

KEY DATES AND DEADLINES:
• 1 April – Open for applications
• 30 June – Proposal submission deadline
• July– The candidates will be shortlisted by the Learning & Development Manager and VNJ Editor in Chief, to a maximum of six to be presented to the Learning & Development committee.
• July BVNA Council meeting – The bursary winner will be selected by members of the Learning & Development committee and will be invited to BVNA Congress to receive their prize.
• Week commencing 10 July 2024 – The winner will be notified and an invitation to BVNA Congress offered (if applicable).
• Following completion of the course, the bursary winner will also be required to write a further reflective report, to evaluate the experience and the impact on their clinical and professional practice. With help from the Learning and Development team, this report will be published as an article within the VNJ.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Applicants must have been a BVNA member for at least three months prior to the closing date on 30 June 2024 and be a Registered Veterinary Nurse.
Bursaries are intended to meet course fees only.  This does not include any other costs such as travelling, subsistence or accommodation.
Successful applicants will be expected to complete the studies and training for which the bursary is awarded.  If the successful candidate does not use the bursary for the purpose intended, he/she will repay all monies to BVNA, or such proportion as the panel may determine.  
Each holder of a bursary should make a brief report to the panel at the conclusion of the studies/training etc, for which the bursary has been awarded.
Give a brief outline of the purpose for which the bursary is required.  If you are planning to attend a course, you should describe the course (part-time, full time, modular, residential etc) state the venue, the date, the name of the course organiser and itemise course fees.