The Higher Education Funding Council for England, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and the UK Veterinary Schools have set up a group to promote veterinary research.
Last year the Selbourne report found undergraduate veterinary courses were not preparing students for research, that too few vet graduates were entering research and that the profession was making too small a contribution to the study of the health and welfare of animals.
Chaired by HEFCE chief Brian Fender, the group - which will set out a "business plan" for vet research - will receive advice from the former chief medical officer Sir Kenneth Calman, who is now vice-chancellor of Durham University. Its study should take six months.