ZOO tampa at lowry park will manage a two-year post-doctoral fellowship for a veterinarian pursuing specialization in zoological medicine, with a focus on manatee critical care

The Institute of Museum and Library Services awarded Lowry Park Zoological Society of Tampa, Inc. (operating as ZooTampa at Lowry Park) $875,120 on September 1, 2026, under the Museums for America program (CFDA 45.301) to manage a two-year post-doctoral fellowship in zoological medicine with specialization in manatee critical care.

The fellow will receive comprehensive and experiential training in general and preventative medical care of the zoo's animal collection under supervision of the zoo's veterinary and manatee care teams. The fellowship includes advanced training to support manatee critical care certification by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The fellow will design and conduct a research project relating to manatee medicine for potential publication in professional journals or presentation at professional conferences. The project addresses a shortage of veterinarians equipped to serve zoos and aquariums, particularly those providing critical care for manatees.

Performance occurs in Tampa, Florida, with a period of performance from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2029. This is a Project Grant assistance type, supporting professional development and training activities aligned with the Museums for America program's emphasis on fellowships and mentoring programs as elements of professional development for museum and cultural institutions.

Under the supervision of the ZOO's veterinary and manatee care teams, the fellow will engage in comprehensive and experiential training in general and preventative medical care of the ZOO's entire animal collection. The fellowship will also provide advanced training to support manatee critical care certification by the U.S. Fish and wildlife service. The fellow will be required to design and conduct a research project relating to manatee medicine for possible publication in a professional journal and/or presentation at professional conferences. The project will address a shortage of veterinarians to serve zoos and aquariums, particularly those providing critical care for the manatee.