Students: FSIS Funded Opportunity in the US Public Health Service

June 26, 2019 — 

The USDA Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) - in addition to the Department of Health and Human Services - includes US Public Health Service (USPHS) officers in its work force. In recent years, FSIS has sponsored the Senior Commissioned Officer Student Training and Extern Program (SRCOSTEP) scholarship program for a few select veterinary students. The SRCOSTEP program provides financial support (full salary; approx $5000/ month), Tricare health coverage for the officer and any dependents, and standard federal benefits during the last year of veterinary professional training.

Similar to the Army Veterinary Corps scholarship program, selectees receive early commissioning in the US Public Health Service (USPHS) at the start of their 4th (clinical) year of veterinary education. Upon graduation, students commit to a period of service (approximately 2 years of service for 1 year of SRCOSTEP support) as Public Health Veterinarians working for FSIS. They are able to pursue part-time clinical practice during their off-duty hours.

CDR Malaysia Harrell Malaysia.Harrell@fsis.usda.gov serves as the Commissioned Corps Liaison and SRCOSTEP Coordinator at USDA/FSIS. Interested students and faculty advisors should contact CDR Harrell for further information.

The 2019 application period closes July 3rd. Apply at http://www.usphs.gov/apply/srcostep.aspx