Celebrating Five Years of ICVA Assessment Grants
Introduction to the Assessment Grant Program
The Academic Veterinary Assessment Committee (AVAC) developed the ICVA Assessment Grant program in 2019 to support research in assessment practices in veterinary medical education worldwide. Research teams, chosen through a review process that begins with a Letter of Intent (LOI) and a proposal call, receive a $10,000 USD grant for direct costs related to their project, as well as travel, publication, personnel, and software expenses. Up to three grants are available each year.
The grant is designated for research pertaining to topics related to assessment, competency development, and the refinement of specific clinical skills or methodologies for assessing those skills. It does not extend to the development of technologies, but once the tech has been developed, the application of it for a research project could be funded. It is meant to fund projects regarding the demonstration of validity for test scores rather than research around teaching effectiveness and program evaluation – therefore, an assessment component must be associated with the proposed project.
“Successful proposals demonstrate a clear research question grounded in theory, focusing on assessment across the curriculum, from preclinical to clinical phases. Notably, the inclusion of a validity framework enhances the likelihood of selection,” explained ICVA Chief Assessment Officer Dr. Kent Hecker. “Proposals should also include concise descriptions of team members and proposed methods. With succinct descriptions of each of these categories, there is a greater likelihood of the LOI being selected and the application being successful.” Unsuccessful applicants are provided with comprehensive feedback and encouraged to refine their proposal and reapply.
Niche Funding in Veterinary Medicine Assessment
The ICVA Assessment Grant program stands out as a niche and vital resource in a field with limited funding opportunities, specifically for veterinary medicine assessment research. The grants not only support an opportunity for individuals entering the faculties of veterinary medicine to do this type of research and gain external recognition and funding for their work, but also provide funding for ongoing projects, which could allow them to expand the scope of those endeavors. ICVA articles on what makes a successful grant application and discussions with various schools about what the expectations have led to more focused and higher-quality applications in recent years.
Board Support
While the ICVA Board of Directors doesn’t directly engage in the grant process, it recognizes the program’s importance in advancing assessment practices and provides crucial support, with Dr. Joie Watson serving as the Board Liaison. “ICVA requires recipients to complete a form to be submitted to the Board each January as to where they are in their grant process, if they have published their results, and where,” explains ICVA Program Manager Jeanne Blasewitz, who provides staff support for the ICVA Assessment Grant process. The Board sees the grant process as an investment in building assessment literacy across different programs.
Anticipated Shifts in Assessment
The rapidly-evolving field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is anticipated to create major shifts in the assessment field. As the technology evolves, more researchers may seek funding to explore the reliability and validity of AI-driven assessment tools. Those involved in the grant program see this as an area for a number of possible future research topics.
As it enters its fifth year, the ICVA Assessment Grant program continues to play a pivotal role in advancing veterinary assessment research. The selection committee volunteers, all passionate about assessment, vigorously review and discuss the submissions during the grant selection process. Through its focused funding and commitment to excellence, ICVA’s Assessment Grants remain a valuable resource for researchers dedicated to enhancing assessment practices in veterinary medicine worldwide.
The selection committee is concluding its current work, and the 2023 recipients will be announced in January 2024. Individuals are encouraged to review the resources associated with the applications and submit a Letter of Intent when the next grant cycle opens. Applications for the 2024 ICVA Assessment Grants are slated to become available in May.