Scholarships and Awards
Scholarships and Awards
Since its inception, National Medical Fellowships’ scholarships and awards have been at the core of its programming. NMF scholarship programs recognize merit as well as financial need. Over the years, funding for scholarships has come from hundreds of foundations and from individuals. NMF actively seeks and welcomes partnerships to build and expand the types and amount of support we provide to our scholars.
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) approval letter
- (Permanent Residents/Green Card Holders are not eligible)
- Currently enrolled in an accredited, graduate-level U.S. health care program
- Please note the required degree program type for each NMF scholarship. There are other awards that support high school or undergraduate students.
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Medical schools must be LCME Accredited U.S. Programs | LCME and COCA American Osteopathic Association | AOA accredited institutions. Applicants must be enrolled in culminating MD, MD/PhD, DO, or DO/PhD programs, unless otherwise specified.
- Student underrepresented in medicine - NMF designates the following racial/ethnic groups as underrepresented in medicine: African American/Black, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian American (Vietnamese and Cambodian only), Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander.
- Demonstrated leadership ability
- Commitment to serving medically underserved communities
See below for scholarship program descriptions, which may include additional eligibility requirements.
Please note: any year in school requirements should be based on applicant’s status for the school year listed in the program description (e.g., 2024-25).
National Medical Fellowships scholarship and award applicants are required to upload the following documents as a part of the online application process. In addition to this list, each scholarship and award has application requirements and personal statements specific to its program. More information on program specific requirements will be found in the submission sections of the application site.
Financial Documents
- Student Aid Report (SAR) from the U.S. Department of Education
- Documentation of Loan History (current and undergraduate) from the National Student Loan Data System
Academic Documents
- Official Letter of Financial Aid Award Offer
- Current Professional School Transcript
Personal Documents
- Verification of Citizenship: Acceptable forms of proof of citizenship include a scanned copy of one of the following:
- A U.S. birth certificate
- A current U.S. passport
- USCIS certificate of naturalization
- Voter’s registration card (accompanied by a picture ID)
- Verification of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) Status
- DACA approval letter
Curriculum Vitae/Resume
Letter(s) of Recommendation
While most NMF scholarships only require one letter of recommendation, some applications require more than one or none at all. Please be sure to check the instructions on the specific application before submitting. Applicants will specify the name(s) and contact information of their recommender(s) during the application process. When choosing a recommender, it is advisable to choose someone who knows you and your work well and can attest to your community commitment and leadership. After applicants supply the name of their recommender(s), the recommender(s) will receive an email with instructions on uploading their recommendation letter.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to request letters of recommendation from a dean, faculty member, or chief administrative officer from your academic institution, or from a community leader or a volunteer supervisor.
Applications for all NMF scholarships and service-learning opportunities can be found on Survey Monkey Apply. Interested applicants must create an account and complete the eligibility form. Once complete, all open opportunities for which you are eligible will automatically populate to your account.
Scholarships by Cycle
The following scholarships are confirmed to be open in these cycles. Additional opportunities will be added as they are confirmed.
Scholarships
Established by NMF Alumna Yvonne S. Thornton, MD, MPH, FACOG, the Anarcha, Betsey, and Lucy Memorial Scholarship is given in honor of three enslaved women who, as subjects of experimentation, helped shape advances in clinical and surgical knowledge and are recognized today as the Mothers of Gynecology. This $10,000 scholarship will be given to one (1) African-American woman who is a known descendant of enslaved Americans, and is enrolled in an accredited US medical school program. Finalists will be interviewed by Dr. Thornton.
Established in 2020 by Drs. Helen Byrd and Lascelles Pinnock, this $5,000 need-based scholarship will be awarded to a student of Caribbean descent, who is enrolled at Wayne State School of Medicine, and who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, leadership and commitment to service.
Established in 2019 by the AAMC Board of Directors, this scholarship honors the exemplary leadership of Dr. Darrell G. Kirch and recognizes his deep commitment to creating a diverse workforce of healthcare professionals. This $10,000 scholarship will be awarded to eight first-year underrepresented medical students, who are enrolled at an LCME-accredited U.S., MD-granting medical school. The selected students must demonstrate both community service and leadership, and will be eligible to renew for another three years (i.e., receive four years of funding), provided that they meet renewal criteria. The scholarship funds should be used for tuition fees and/or living expenses. The scholarship recipients will be required to attend the Nickens Awards session at the AAMC’s Learn Serve Lead Annual Meeting. Conference registration fees will be waived and AAMC will cover up to two nights of lodging for each scholar.
Because this is a multi-year award, we will not be accepting any new applications for this scholarship until 2027.
Established in 2023 by Aya Locums, the Aya Locums Future Leaders in Medicine Scholarship aims to address diversity in the medical field by providing financial support to five exceptional students chronically underrepresented in medicine.
This scholarship will provide five awards, each valued at $10,000 to underrepresented students of the health professions. It will be made available to students enrolled in degree programs to become doctors of medicine (MD) and osteopathic medicine (DO), and graduate level degree programs for nurse practitioners, certified registered nurse anesthetists, and physician assistants.
Established in 2019 by Dr. T. Jann Caison-Sorey in memory of her parents, this need-based $5,000 award will be awarded to an African American male, who is a known descendant of enslaved Americans, enrolled in an accredited US medical (MD ONLY) school, and who was either born in or is a current resident in the State of Michigan. The selected Scholar must be in good standing academically, have a demonstrated financial need, and has interest in practicing Primary Care Medicine.
Established in 2021 by Dr. Delores Baker, this need-based scholarship provides a $5,000 award to an underrepresented students of medicine enrolled in an accredited program. It is preferred that applicants have an interest in health issues that impact rural populations and an interest in practicing in a rural setting.
Established in 2019, this scholarship provides a $10,000 award to one first-year medical student in a U.S. accredited medical (MD/DO) school who has Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) approval. Applicants must have a demonstrated commitment to working with underserved populations.
Because this is a multi-year award, applications will not reopen until 2027.
Previously known as the The Aspiring Physicians Endowed Scholarship, established in 2020 by NMF alumna Dr. Felecia Williams in memory of her parents, Mrs. Dorothy Williams and Mr. Willie James Williams, this need-based $5,000 scholarship will be awarded to an African American medical student who meets the following eligibility criteria: 1) originally from Detroit, Michigan, 2) first-generation in their family to go to college, 3) enrolled in an accredited U.S. medical school, 4) has documented financial need, and 5) has demonstrated an interest in pediatrics. This scholarship may be renewed provided that the student remains in good academic standing.
Established in 2020 by Millicent Cox-Edwards, in memory of her husband Dr. Darrell L. Edwards, this need-based award of $10,000 will be given to one second-, third-, or fourth-year African American medical (MD candidate only) student who is either enrolled at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine (UCSF) or from the Bay Area. The student must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 or equivalent grade and must demonstrate commitment to providing quality care to underserved, urban communities.
Established in 2019 by NMF alumnus Dr. Herman Gray, Jr., MD, MBA in memory of his father, Herman B. Gray, Sr., MD, this need-based award provides a $5,000 award to an African American student enrolled at the Wayne State University School of Medicine. Applicants must have a demonstrated interest in public health, community health, population health, or children and families. The scholarship awardee is required to attend a reception in Detroit, MI.
Established in 2019 in honor of NMF Alumnus Dr. Joe L. Hargrove, this $5,000 award is given to an underrepresented minority medical student attending the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, who has demonstrated financial need, community service, and volunteerism.
There is no open application for this scholarship. Recipient is selected internally.
The Susan Smith McKinney Steward Medical Society (SSMSMS) was founded in 1974 by Dr. Muriel Petioni to provide support, networking, role modeling and mentorship for women of color who are or who aspire to become physicians. The SSMSMS awards two Dr. Muriel Petioni Scholarships to promising young women of color who are pursuing careers in medicine. One scholarship of $5,000 will be given to a Black woman enrolled in an accredited medical school in New York. One scholarship of $2,500 will be given to a Black woman who will have graduated from college or completed a post-baccalaureate program in New York by June of 2024, and who is currently applying to/has been accepted into medical school to begin in Fall 2024 (2024-25 academic year). Applicants will need to provide documentation of their medical school application (e.g. AMCAS) as well as proof of interviews granted/and or current acceptances.
Established in 2024, this scholarship will provide a $25,000 scholarship to two medical students who have a demonstrated interest in promoting health equity through reducing the Black maternal mortality gap. The recipients must be enrolled in an LCME-accredited, US, MD-granting medical school in Oregon, who comes from a historically underrepresented background, and must have demonstrated financial need.
Established in 2020, this scholarship in the amount of $5,000 will be given to one underrepresented minority medical student, who is enrolled in an accredited US medical school and has demonstrated financial need, academic excellence, leadership, and commitment to community service. As part of the application, students must discuss how they hope to make an impact in their career in health care.
Established in 2019 in memory of Dr. Richard Zapanta, NMF Distinguished Alumnus and Former National Alumni Council Chair, this high distinction award of $7,500 is given to a Hispanic or Latino medical student, previously recognized by NMF, who embodies the qualities of Dr. Zapanta’s legacy in leadership and community service. The scholar will be selected by NMF internally.
There is no open application for this scholarship. Recipient is selected internally.
Established in 2020 by Dr. Marc Keshishian in memory of NMF alumnus Dr. Silas Norman, Jr., this $5,000 need-based scholarship will be awarded to an African American student enrolled at Wayne State School of Medicine, who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, leadership and commitment to service.
Established in 2019 to honor the memory of NMF Alumnus Dr. Theodore Quincy Miller, this need-based Scholarship awards $5,000 to one African American male medical student enrolled at an LCME-accredited U.S., MD-granting medical school, who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, leadership and commitment to service. Top applicants will be selected for a phone interview with Dr. Miller’s family.
Established in 2023 by the Merrill Family in honor of Dr. William Merrill, this need-based scholarship provides a $7,500 award to an underrepresented medical student, who is enrolled in an accredited medical school. Eligible applicants must attend either a public medical school or an HBCU medical school. It is preferred that the applicant have an interest in health care issues that impact rural populations.
Established in 2024 by Dr. Lawrence Stewart, Jr. and Dr. Faith Nicole Brown in memory of Lawrence S. Brown, this scholarship will award two (2) $12,000 scholarships to two medical students of African American heritage attending medical schools in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut. Applicants should discuss their leadership, research, and clinical experience, as well as their commitment to health equity as part of their application.
Established in 2020, this scholarship provides $2,500 to an African American or Black first- or second-year undergraduate student from California and/or attending a four-year college or university in California, and is interested in the allied health professions.
Established in 2021 by NMF alumnus, Dr. Eurgia Land, this need-based scholarship provides a $5,000 award to an African American medical student, who is enrolled in an accredited medical school. It is preferred that the applicant have an interest in health care issues that impact rural populations and an interest in Primary Care medicine. The scholarship funds should be used for tuition fees and/or living expenses.
Instituted in 1968 in memory of the NMF founder, this title award recognizes outstanding academic achievement, leadership, and community service, and is presented during the AAMC Annual Meeting. The recipient of this Award is selected from among fourth-year medical students previously recognized by NMF.
There is no open application for this scholarship. Recipient is selected internally.
Established in 2023 by the United Health Group, the Future Clinicians Scholarship seeks to nurture future health professionals and build healthier communities. This scholarship will support underrepresented students of the health professions who are engaging in self-led community service and research and are developing critical professional skills. This scholarship will also enter students into a robust network of current and future health equity leaders.
This renewable scholarship will award $5000 to 50 underrepresented health profession students, who show leadership in the early stages of their careers and a commitment/interest in research to better understand and/or address health disparities in medically underserved communities. It is open to MD, DO, MSW, DDS, PharmD, and Graduate level nursing and physician-assistant students and can be renewed for up to 4 years, if eligible.
Established in 2023 by The Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey (Horizon), the Horizon Behavioral Health Scholarship aims to address the critical need for diverse psychiatrists – Black, Indigenous, Latino/e, and People of Color – in New Jersey by providing financial support to four (4) exceptional residents pursuing their residency in psychiatry.
The scholarship provides financial assistance to two (2) first year residents specializing in general psychiatry and two (2) residents specializing in pediatric psychiatry. Each recipient will receive a total of $40,000 ($10,000/year) for the duration of their four-year residency program. To be eligible for the Horizon Behavioral Health Scholarship, applicants must be first year residents enrolled in one of New Jersey's psychiatry residency programs. Preference will be given to New Jersey residents, students underrepresented in psychiatry residency programs, and to those with an interest in practicing in New Jersey post-residency.
The Josiah Macy Jr. Scholarship was established in 2001 by the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation. This scholarship provides $5,000 to four second-year or third-year underrepresented students in medicine enrolled in an accredited U.S. medical school program and who demonstrate financial need and leadership and commitment to service.
Established by the Manhattan Central Medical Society in 2014, this award provides a $2,500 scholarship to one (1) African American medical student enrolled in an accredited medical school the greater New York City area. The selected scholar will be required to attend the scholar reception.
Established in 2021 by Dr. Emily Smith in memory of her parents who always had a strong appreciation for education and academic excellence, this need-based scholarship provides a $5,000 award to a third-generation African American male, born in the United States, and in his first or second year of medical school at an accredited Michigan institution. Applicants must have a demonstrated interest in primary care or community-based medicine and a desire to work in an urban area.
Established by NMF Board member Neal Ball to honor the memory of his sister Mary Ball Carrera, this award provides a $2,500 scholarship to one outstanding Native American woman, recognized for outstanding academic achievement, leadership, and community service, and enrolled in an accredited U.S. medical school.
Established in 2019, this $5,000 Scholarship will be awarded to at least one underrepresented minority medical students who are enrolled in an accredited medical school in the state of Michigan.
Established in 2024 by the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME), this assistance award will provide $670 awards to 1340 medical students who have registered in 2024 to take the USMLE Step 1 or Step 2 CK exam to offset the cost of exam registration fees. Applicants must be able to demonstrate financial need, provide a valid USMLE ID number, and have not been referred to a committee and found to have engaged in Irregular Behavior or otherwise reviewed for policy violations in relation to any USMLE or NBME exam. Applicants must also be eligible to take the USMLE and currently enrolled in an LCME (MD) or COCA (DO) accredited medical school in either the United States, or one of the following schools in the Caribbean:
- AUA (Antigua)
- Ross University, School of Medicine (Barbados)
- St. Matthews’ (British West Indies)
- Universidad de Iberoamérica (Costa Rica)
- Instituto Tecnologico de Santo Domingo (DR)
- Pontificia Universidad Catolica Madre y Maestra (DR)
- Universidad Católica Nordestana (DR)
- Universidad Central del Este (DR)
- Universidad Iberoamericana (UNIBE) (DR)
- St. George's University, School of Medicine (Grenada)
- University of the West Indies, The Mona Campus (Jamaica)
- Medical University of the Americas (St. Kitts-Nevis)
- American University of the Caribbean (St. Maarten)
Click here to learn more and view frequently asked questions!
Established in 2023 by the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME), this award will provide a $10,000 scholarship to students with demonstrated financial need who are enrolled in a U.S. accredited (MD/DO) program. This award may be renewed for up to two years if the scholar continues to meet the scholarship’s eligibility requirements.
Established in 2020, this award will provide $5,000 to an underrepresented minority student enrolled in an accredited medical program. Applicants must demonstrate clinical interest in cardiothoracic surgery, as well as evidence of community service and leadership potential at an early stage in their professional careers.
Established in 2019, this need-based $5,000 scholarship will be awarded to a first-, second- or third-year African American student who is enrolled at the University of Michigan Medical School, and who has demonstrated excellence in academics and financial need.
Established to help address the severe national shortage of physician-leaders who are committed to the health of underserved communities, this award will provide a $5,000 scholarship to 12 fourth-year underrepresented students of medicine who have demonstrated evidence of community service and leadership potential at an early stage in their professional careers.
Established to help address the rising costs of obtaining a medical degree, this need-based scholarship will provide a $10,000 award to third- or fourth-year students underrepresented in medicine who are enrolled in a U.S. accredited (MD/DO) program. Applicants must demonstrate their financial need by submitting their financial aid information, student aid report, and any other appropriate financial documents for consideration. Applicants must also comment on how this scholarship would help to relieve the burden of tuition and living expenses, as well as advance their professional development.
Established in 2020, this award will provide $5,000 to a third- or fourth-year African American student enrolled in an accredited Florida medical program. The student must demonstrate evidence of community service and leadership potential at an early stage in their professional careers. As part of their application, students must comment on a health topic specific to Florida. The selected scholar will be connected to the local NMA and assist with a project, that will include a presentation.
Established in 2021 by the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP), the Sylvia B. Kelly Medical Scholarship for Health Equity will provide one $25,000 award to support a medical student who has a demonstrated interest in promoting health equity through reducing the Black maternal mortality gap. The recipient must be enrolled in an LCME-accredited US, MD-granting medical school, who comes from an historically underrepresented background, must have demonstrated financial need, and will be completing his or her 4th year of medical school during the 2024-2025 academic year with an anticipated graduation in spring 2025. This award must be used towards tuition, fees, or debt repayment.
Established in 2013, this award provides a $8,500 scholarship to one (1) 2nd or 3rd year medical student of Black or African descent, who is currently enrolled in an accredited US medical program in California, and has demonstrated interest in Biomedicine. The awarded scholar will have the opportunity to participate in a mentorship program with a Grifols employee and will be invited to attend a upcoming NMF Los Angeles Champions of Health Awards. The mentoring program will involve a member of the Grifols Black Employee Alliance engaging the awarded recipient in periodic discussions (monthly to quarterly in frequency), coordinating opportunities to network with other industry experts internal and external to Grifols, and inviting the awarded recipient to the Grifols corporate location in Los Angeles (adhering to COVID-19 safety restrictions and protocols).
The Wayne Anthony Butts Scholarship was established in 2013 by distinguished NMF alumnus Dr. Gary C. Butts to honor his late brother. This award of $5,000 is given to one first-year or second-year underrepresented students in medicine enrolled in an accredited New York metropolitan area medical school, in recognition of outstanding academic achievement, leadership, community service, and interest in urban health.
Established in 2021 to increase the number of BIPOC primary care providers working in underserved African American communities, this $5,000 scholarship will be awarded to an African American medical student who is enrolled in an accredited medical (MD only) school in Texas, and who has a demonstrated interest in family practice and/or internal medicine and committed to working in underserved communities.
Established in 1977 in honor of NMF’s former executive director and his wife, this title award recognizes outstanding academic achievement, leadership, and community service, and is presented during the AAMC Annual Meeting. The recipient of this award is selected from among fourth-year medical students previously recognized by NMF.
There is no open application for this scholarship. Recipient is selected internally.
Established in 2018 in partnership with Zimmer Biomet, this award seeks to address the national shortage of Hispanic and Latino representation in the field of orthopaedic surgery. NMF will provide five scholarships of $5,000 each to second-, third, and and fourth-year Hispanic or Latino medical students, who have a demonstrated interest in orthopaedics and leadership at an early stage in their professional careers. Eligible applicants must be currently enrolled in an accredited U.S. medical program.
Contact
For questions regarding NMF Scholarships & Programs
scholarships@nmfonline.org
For questions regarding the NMF Primary Care Leadership Program
pclpinfo@nmfonline.org
NMF alumni interested in sponsoring a scholarship may contact development@nmfonline.org
Other individuals or organizations interested in sponsoring a scholarship are invited to contact development@nmfonline.org
As new scholarships and awards become available during the year, they will be listed on the NMF website and social media. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram for regular updates.
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