Education in Quality Improvement Award
The RCVS Knowledge Education in Quality Improvement Award showcases examples where organisations and educators demonstrate how they are teaching recognised Quality Improvement methods.
"We're really delighted to receive this RCVS Knowledge Award. This award is important to us because it demonstrates that RVNs can lead in innovation and be perfect champions for all aspects of clinical governance and evidence-based practice"
Perdi Welsh, Royal Veterinary College - 2023 Knowledge Award Champion (Education)
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About the awards
What are the awards for?
The Education in Quality Improvement Award aims to recognise and showcase those teams that are driving continuous improvements through the provision of educational programmes teaching recognised Quality Improvement methods.
The awards are open to anyone who works within veterinary education, including from an organisational or practice setting, who demonstrate how they are teaching QI techniques to better equip delegates/students for practice, and the impact this is having.
Who is eligible for the awards?
The awards are open to any veterinary educator within:
- Higher education
- Further education
- CPD provider
- Training centre
- In practice learning and development teams
Applicants apply as representatives of the practice/organisation.
We welcome applications from those who have previously applied for the awards, either with updates to previous projects, or details of new educational projects.
What will my application be assessed against?
Applications must demonstrate how they are teaching QI techniques to better equip delegates / students for practice, and the impact this is having.
Applications are blinded and will go through three rounds of judging by a panel of reviewers. Applications will be scored using a peer-review assessing framework. The review teams are made up of:
- RCVS Knowledge Quality Improvement Team
- RCVS Knowledge Quality Improvement Advisory Board
- RCVS Knowledge Board of Trustees
- RCVS Practice Standards Assessors
The application must pass each round to be progressed onto the next. Only applications that progress onto the third and final round will be considered for Champions and Highly Commended Runners up.
What happens if my application is selected as a winner?
Three practices/organisations will be awarded as Champions: a first, second and third place.
First place
The practice/organisation awarded first place will become Knowledge Award winners and receive a £300 prize paid to the practice/organisation. A plaque, certificate and badges for the team will also be awarded.
The practice/organisation will have the opportunity to work with RCVS Knowledge to promote and share their experiences in Quality Improvement. This promotion might include presenting at a conference, sharing experiences through our blog, podcasts, and interviews, and even publishing their findings in a journal such as Veterinary Evidence.
The practice/organisation representative will be invited to an award ceremony to collect the award on behalf of the practice. This representative will be reimbursed up to £200 towards reasonable travel costs.
Second and Third Place
The practice/organisation awarded second place will become Knowledge Award winners and receive a £250 prize paid to the practice/organisation. A plaque, certificate and badges for the team will also be awarded.
The practice/organisation will have the opportunity to work with RCVS Knowledge to promote and share their experiences in Quality Improvement. This promotion might include presenting at a conference, sharing experiences through our blog, podcasts, and interviews, and even publishing their findings in a journal such as Veterinary Evidence.
Runners up
Applicants can also be awarded as Highly Commended, and Highly Commended Ones to Watch. Practices/organisations awarded will receive certificates and badges for their teams.
How to apply
All applicants should read the RCVS Knowledge Awards Terms and Conditions before applying.
The application process for the Education in Quality Improvement Award is made up of two sections.
- An online form collecting key information.
- A case example. This is attached to your online form and submitted together.
Download the case example template
You should receive an automatic confirmation message once the submission is successful. If you do not receive this, please contact [email protected].
Closing dates
Applications must be received by 10th January 2025.
Winners will be notified in May 2025.
Previous winners
Read about the previous RCVS Knowledge Award winners and Highly Commended runners up here.