In 1996, Robert and Clarice MacVicar established the Robert and Clarice MacVicar fund to support interdisciplinary education and/or research programs in animal health at Oregon State University. The fund guidelines state that a committee consisting of the Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine and the Department Chairs from Microbiology and Biophysics and Biochemistry will review proposals and make recommendations to the provost for research programs or projects which fit the guidelines stated in the Robert and Clarice MacVicar Animal Health Fund, i.e. the projects should "capitalize on the unique interdisciplinary strengths and opportunities represented in the academic areas named in the agreement and would have the greatest impacts on animal health."

In accordance with the donors' wishes, the Robert and Clarice MacVicar Animal Health Fund Committee, currently consisting of Linda Blythe, Associate Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, Christopher Mathews, Chairman of Biophysics and Biochemistry, and Jo-Ann Leong, Chairman of Microbiology at Oregon State University, established criteria for a MacVicar Scholar Award. The award initially will be made annually to a senior graduate student whose research is primarily concerned with animal health and welfare in its broadest sense and is interdisciplinary in approach. At the end of the award year, a reception for the recipient will be held and the recipient will present a Robert and Clarice MacVicar Animal Health Lecture.

Nominations are to be made by faculty through their department chairs and mailed to Dr. Blythe, 200 Magruder Hall, OSU. The award will be given in early to mid Spring quarter.

The process for selecting the MacVicar Scholar will be as follows:

1. Selection Committee will consist of the Associate Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, the Chairman of Microbiology, and the Chairman of Biochemistry and Biophysics. The chairmanship of the committee shall rotate among the committee members such that each will have a turn at assuming this responsibility..

2. The call for applications will be made through the office of the current chairman of the Selection Committee.

3. The applicants will be nominated by Oregon State University faculty.

4. The application will consist of a statement of the research objectives and preliminary progress (not to exceed two typewritten pages), curriculum vitae, and three letters of recommendation. The statement of research must demonstrate application to animal health and welfare. There must also be evidence of interdisciplinary approach.

5. The selection criteria will be:

a.  Quality of the research
b.  Impact on animal health
c.  Interdisciplinary strength
d.  Academic standing

6. The committee recommendation will be made to the Provost and the successful candidate will be notified by the Provost.

7. The award will be made at a $5,000 stipend and $1000 laboratory supplies/travel.