Dr. Scott Rairdan Memorial Award

What you will need

• ✓ Proof of Canadian citizenship or permanent residency
• ✓ Enrollment in a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program at a Canadian institution
• ✓ Aptitude and experience in large animal veterinary medicine practice
• ✓ Leadership experience and active participation in extra-curricular activities

About this award

You can receive one or more awards valued at $2,500. This is a scholarship, not a loan, so you do not have to pay it back. If you maintain your eligibility, the award is renewable for up to three consecutive years of study, meaning you could receive up to four years of support total. This is for you if you are a dedicated veterinary student who loves working with large animals and has a strong record of leadership in your community or school. Applications closed on June 1, 2026. Ask Calgary Foundation whether it will run again and when the next deadline falls. Also ask how and when you will hear back — whether it is through email, a portal, or a phone call. Selection criteria aren't published — ask Calgary Foundation how winners are chosen and roughly how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds. The money is applied directly to your tuition. Confirm with Calgary Foundation during your application if there are any specific steps you need to take to ensure the funds reach your school account. To keep this award, you must maintain your eligibility. Renewal conditions aren't listed in detail — if you are counting on this for multiple years, confirm with Calgary Foundation exactly what GPA or enrollment status you need to maintain.

Who qualifies

You must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. You can be in any year of study pursuing a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM — the professional degree required to practice veterinary medicine) degree at a Canadian post-secondary institution. Your studies must have an emphasis on rural large animal or mixed practice veterinary medicine. You need to show that you have aptitude and experience in large animal veterinary medicine practice, as well as leadership and active participation in extra-curricular activities. Priority is given to students pursuing a career in large animal theriogenology (the study of animal reproduction) and/or embryo transfer.

This is what the award's official page said when we last checked. Rules change, so confirm on the award's official page before you apply.

• ✓ Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• ✓ Open to graduate students
• ✓ Resident of Alberta
• ✓ Studying Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, rural large animal veterinary medicine, mixed practice veterinary medicine, large animal theriogenology or embryo transfer

How to apply

1. 1

   Read the award's official page

   Check you meet every requirement, and note each document they ask for.

2. 2

   This round closed on June 1, 2026

   Check the award's official page for the next round before you prepare anything.

Tips for applying

• LeadershipAvoid simply listing your titles. Instead, describe the specific impact you had on others and how you grew as a leader. List a concrete project you led from start to finish.
• ExperienceMany applicants focus only on their grades. Highlight your hands-on hours with large animals in rural settings. Provide a detailed log of your clinical or farm-based experience.
• StrategySince there is a preference for those interested in theriogenology or embryo transfer, be very explicit about your career goals in these areas. Explain why this specific niche of veterinary medicine appeals to you.
• RealismThis is a highly specialized award for a small pool of students. While your odds are better than a general scholarship, you still need to prove you fit the specific "rural large animal" profile perfectly to win.

Questions students ask

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