International Scholarship Program Details

Program Specifics

The STFM Foundation supports the sharing of expertise among those who want to advance the family medicine model throughout the world.  The Foundation offers the International Scholarship Program to support a family medicine educator from outside the US to participate in the STFM Annual Spring Conference.

The goals of the International Scholarship program are to:

  • Advance family medicine education worldwide
  • Assist nations with need and potential for growth
  • Support the development of outstanding future leaders internationally
  • Foster relationships with family medicine educators and programs in the United States

The program rotates its world region of focus from year to year. For 2010, this scholarship is being made available to family physicians/general practitioners from. Africa will be the region in 2010, Asia in 2011, South America in 2012, and Eastern Europe and former Soviet Socialist Republics in 2013.

The nominee selected will receive an award of up to $3,500 (US dollars) to support travel expenses to attend the STFM Annual Spring Conference,  April 24-28, 2010 in Vancouver British Columbia, Canada. If feasible, additional time will be spent in the United States visiting family medicine programs and the offices of the American Academy of Family Physicians and STFM in Leawood, Kansas.

There is one award available, and a limit of one nominee per country.

Eligibility Requirements:

  1. Must be between five and ten years of first faculty appointment.
  2. Must be fluent in English.
  3. Must have the support of the country's family/general practice organization.
  4. Must have a US sponsor to help coordinate the visit.
  5. Must have completed advanced training, such as a residency in FM/GP.
  6. Must have potential of becoming future leader in family medicine.

Selection Criteria:

  1. Personal need for financial support.
  2. Personal potential for contributing to the development of FM in their home country.
  3. Strength of proposed activities during the US visit.
  4. Strength of proposed activities upon returning to the home country.
  5. Regional needs and potential for FM development.

Application Requirements

Individuals who are interested in the program should submit the following to Kay Frank, executive assistant of the STFM Foundation:

  1. Letter expressing why you wish to receive the award.
  2. Letter of support from your home institution.
  3. Letter of support from your country's family/general practice organization.
  4. Letter of support from US sponsor.
  5. Copy of current curriculum vitae.

International scholars will be expected to submit a brief written report on their activities during their US visit.

Applications must be submitted electronically by September 25, 2009 to kfrank@stfm.org. If you have questions, please contactl Kay Frank at 913-906-6000, ext 5402. Notification of selection will be made in early December 2009.