BIVI Seeks PRRS Research Proposals

November 13, 2008 — 

Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica (BIVI) is seeking research proposals to study porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS).

As they have for the past six years, BIVI is again offering $75,000 to fund three research projects through its 2009 Advancement in PRRS Research Awards program. The objective of the research proposals is to examine practical methods of controlling, managing, and possibly eradicating the PRRS virus.

Candidates include graduate students, academic researchers, company or private researchers, and practicing veterinarians in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

Proposals are reviewed by an independent PRRS Research Review Board composed of the following:

• Luc Dufresne, DVM, Seaboard Farms, Shawnee Mission, Kansas
• Locke Karriker, DVM, MS, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
• Tim Loula, DVM, Swine Vet Center, P.A., St. Peter, Minnesota
• Bill Mengeling, DVM, PhD, Diplo. ACVM, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
• Kerry Keffaber, DVM, Manchester, Indiana
• Daryl Olsen, DVM, AMVC, Audubon, Iowa

Once the three winning year-long research projects are completed and submitted for peer review, PRRB will conduct a second evaluation. Upon acceptance for publication of his or her findings, the first place award recipient will receive an additional U.S. $5,000; second place, $3,000; and third place, $1,000.

The deadline for submission of research proposals is January 1, 2009. Submission guidelines and additional information is available on the Advancement in PRRS Research Awards program website.