RVT Advancement Fund

Are you an RVT who wants to explore a new avenue in the animal health care industry but feels your financial situation is holding you back? Maybe you’d like to attend an industry conference, pursue a specialist designation or participate in a new veterinary services initiative, but are in need of monetary support. The RVT Advancement Fund (RVTAF) was established to help OAVT members achieve their professional goals by providing them with financial assistance. Applications will be accepted for consideration through this year’s RVTAF starting on May 1, 2026.   

Interested in applying? Here are a few things to know:

• Applicants must be a member in good standing with the OAVT.
• Consideration will only be given to applications requesting support for events/initiatives taking place between May 1^st, 2026, and June 30^th, 2027. Funding is not available for initiatives that have already taken place.
• Applicants receiving funding in 2026, must provide a report to the RVTAF Committee by July 15^th, 2027, outlining how funding helped to enhance their skills or goals as an RVT. Receipts must also be provided with the report to verify how the funding was used. 

Applications are accepted between May 1^st and June 19^th. Successful applicants will be notified by the end of September.

Please refer to the FAQs below for more information.  Should you have additional questions, send an email to RVTAdvancementFund@oavt.org.

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IN THIS SECTION

Who is eligible to receive funds?

Only RVTs in good standing with the OAVT can apply for and receive funding.

Who can the reference letters be from?

The reference letters must be from professional or educational sources only. No personal references (family, friends, etc.) will be accepted. Reference letters cannot be submitted by members of the RVT Advancement Fund Committee.

What do the reference letters have to say?

1. All three letters must be submitted as one file, not as three separate files.
2. They must not contain any “identifiers” – words or phrases that provide personal, business, or geographical information. Please ask your references to exclude names of people, places, towns or cities, regions, addresses, and the name of your place of work. Please also ensure that there are no pronouns indicating gender.
3. References should include their names and qualifications, but not the name of their workplace/clinic.
   • Your references should replace your name and any gender-specific pronouns with the phrase “the applicant” or “the candidate.”
     Example: Instead of “Zena is a hard-working RVT, who takes initiative.” the letter can say “The applicant/candidate is a hard-working RVT….”
     Example: Instead of “She/He makes every effort to encourage new grads to bring forward ideas for clinic improvement.” the letter can say “The applicant/candidate makes every effort…”

Why can’t the body of the reference letter include identifiers such as my name?

Identifiers are excluded and will be redacted to minimize bias in the selection process.

How are recipients selected?

An OAVT committee comprised of RVT members at large will receive all applications. Each committee member individually scores each application and forward their evaluations to the committee chair. The committee will then hold a meeting to discuss the applications and select the recipients. The committee may contact references for more information to help them make their decisions. 

What documentation is required to outline my financial need?

You must submit documents that outline the costs of your request (e.g. registration fees, estimated travel/hotel costs, tuition fees, etc.). These can be screenshots from websites, or emails from the organization offering the course/event, but the document must clearly show the name of the organization and the related costs. Be sure to include the total amount of your requested funds in Canadian dollars where indicated on the application

What if I cannot get the exact costs for the event?

The committee understands that the exact costs may not be available when submitting your application. Therefore, you should try your best to get an accurate estimate – this may require research on your part.  For example, if you are attending a conference requiring an overnight stay, you could include the cost for last year’s conference and an estimate for a night’s stay at a local hotel.

How often can I apply?

If you are not selected to receive funds, you can submit one application per year. If you’ve received funding, you can reapply for funding five years after receiving funds.   

Do I have to write a report and submit receipts after completing my event/experience?

Yes, you will be required to submit a report upon completion of the event/experience. You must also provide any receipts that can verify how the funding you received was used.  Reports and receipts are due July 15th the year following the year you received funding. If the report and receipts are not received by the due date, all funds awarded must be repaid to the OAVT.

Can I keep the money awarded to me this year and use it next year?

No, the funds must be used for the event identified in the application, and the event must take place no later than June 30th of the upcoming year. If funds have been awarded, and not used for the identified event, they must be refunded in full to the OAVT. You can then wait until the following to apply for funding.  

Will I be notified if I am not selected to receive funds?

All applicants who submit a completed application will receive a response to their application, regardless of whether they are selected to receive funding. 

What happens if I have applied for funds for tuition, but am not accepted into the program?

You should ensure you are accepted into a program prior to requesting funding.

If, for any reason, a program/event is cancelled, you will be required to repay the OAVT for any funds that were awarded to you. 

How many people will receive funding each year?

The number of RVTs funded each year will depend on the number of applications received and the amount that each successful applicant is awarded. ­­­­­­

Any tips for submitting my application?

Make sure to answer all of the questions on the application, and submit the required number of references, along with supporting financial documentation, to ensure your submission isn’t disqualified.  *Note:  The OAVT does not endorse the use of the terms VT, Vet Tech, Veterinary Technician, Animal Health Technician, or AHT, as they are not recognized in any OAVT/Ontario laws or regulations. Do not use such terms in your application and encourage your references to refrain from using them as well. Only use the credential RVT when referring to yourself or the profession.

Can my funded activity count towards CE credits?

Being approved for funding does not guarantee eligibility for CE credits. Please contact laurie@oavt.org to confirm CE eligibility before submitting CE online.

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