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Apply For 2020 Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students (SDS) Program

The Health Services and Resources Administration (HRSA) is accepting applications for the fiscal year 2020 Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students (SDS) Program (as defined by the Federal Government). The application cycle closes on March 3, 2020. HRSA has $48,200,000 in funds available to make approximately 79 awards in FY 2020 under the SDS Program. As a result of a provision included in the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 requires that $2,500,000 of this funding be awarded to students attending accredited midwifery education programs.

This notice of funding opportunity is of significance to ACNM and the midwives we represent and advocate for because it represents the first time that funding specific to accredited midwifery education programs has been secured during the federal appropriations process. While this targeted funding is only available for FY 2020, it represents a major step toward our longer-term goal of passing legislation to establish permanent programs under Title VII and Title VIII of the Public Health Service Act wherein accredited midwifery education programs can apply for grant funding annually to help grow our nation’s midwifery workforce (i.e., The Midwives of Optimal Maternity Services Act – H.R. 3849).

Directors of Midwifery Education of midwifery education programs that are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME) can learn more about and apply for this grant opportunity here.

Background:

The SDS program increases the diversity of the health workforce by funding eligible academic institutions that are training health profession students. The institutions then make scholarships available to students from disadvantaged backgrounds (as defined by the Federal Government) who have financial need.

The SDS Program aims to enroll and retain full-time students from disadvantaged backgrounds (as defined by the Federal Government), including students who are members of racial and ethnic minority groups (as defined by the Federal Government). The program also exposes students to primary care and placements in Medically Underserved Communities, (MUCs). Click here to learn more about the definitions of who can be considered a recipient of an SDS scholarship.

Eligible applicants are accredited schools of allopathic and osteopathic medicine, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, podiatric medicine, optometry, veterinary medicine, public health, chiropractic, and allied health; schools offering a graduate program in behavioral and mental health practice; and programs for physician assistant training. Students should contact their financial aid office to find out if their school participates.

Please contact Amy Kohl with any questions on the SDS program or ACNM’s efforts to secure permanent funding for accredited midwifery education programs at akohl@acnm.org.

HRSA will conduct two webinars about this SDS Opportunity:

Webinar #1
Date: Thursday, February 6, 2020
Time: 2:00-3:30 PM EST
Call-In: 888-455-2923
Passcode: 8103807
Link: https://hrsa.connectsolutions.com/scholarships-for-disadvantaged-students/

Webinar #2
Date: Thursday, February 20, 2020
Time: 2:00-3:30 PM EST
Call-In: 888-455-2923
Passcode: 8103807
Link: https://hrsa.connectsolutions.com/scholarships-for-disadvantaged-students/

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