Large Animal Grants Program

The Large Animal Grants Program in North Carolina provides targeted financial support to bolster the availability and sustainability of large animal veterinary services in rural and underserved regions of the state. The program was established through legislation by the North Carolina General Assembly in 2023 under G.S. 106-1073 and is administered by the North Carolina Agricultural Finance Authority. It is designed to support licensed veterinarians practicing in counties with populations under 100,000, where a significant portion of veterinary services—at least 30%—is dedicated to large animal care. By providing financial assistance to qualified practitioners, the program addresses the growing shortage of large animal veterinarians, which has been attributed to high student debt burdens, low profit margins, and equipment costs in this field. Eligible applicants include any currently practicing, North Carolina-licensed veterinarians whose work meets the large animal care threshold and who operate in one or more of the 70 designated counties. Residency in one of these counties is not a requirement, as long as the applicant regularly practices within them. Applicants must verify their eligibility and submit necessary documentation through an online application portal. The application period for the 2026 cycle opened on December 1, 2025, and closes on January 31, 2026. Incomplete applications will receive a seven-day grace period following the deadline to finalize their submissions. Successful applicants may receive up to $25,000 in grant funding, with a total annual pool of $123,500 available to be distributed among grantees. These funds can be used in one of several approved ways: to repay educational loans directly related to the recipient's veterinary degree, to purchase equipment or technology necessary for large animal practice, or for other uses approved by the Large Animal Health Enhancement Advisory Committee (LAHEAC). This committee, which includes representatives from the state agriculture department, veterinary leaders, academia, and the livestock industry, is responsible for evaluating applications and determining fund disbursement. The evaluation process considers the eligibility criteria, the applicant’s role in serving the targeted counties, and the proposed use of funds. All awardees are required to submit a W-9 form during the application process, and any awarded grant is considered taxable income, requiring submission of a 1099 form for the applicable tax year. There is also a clawback provision for recipients who fail to maintain the required level of large animal practice post-award. The program is designed to be recurring, and previous recipients are allowed to reapply annually. With consistent support from the state and potential expansion through agricultural industry partnerships, the program aims to enhance the viability of large animal medicine in North Carolina’s rural regions. The application process is managed online, and inquiries can be directed to Susan Marcks, Interim Director at the N.C. Agricultural Finance Authority, or to Charles Fletcher, the designated program manager.

Ensure application demonstrates commitment to maintaining ≥30% large animal practice; clawback language applies if requirement is not met