The APA's Rising Psychiatry Scholars Program (RPSP) is designed to broaden undergraduate students' understanding of psychiatry and their career options and prepare future leaders to successfully enter medical school and the field of psychiatry.

In RPSP, undergraduate students will receive mentorship from current medical students from our Emerging Psychiatrists Program. Participants will also receive learning and development opportunities, resources to help navigate the medical school preparation process, career development virtual sessions, exposure to psychiatry and psychiatric subfields, and financial support for travel to the Future Leaders Academy and other in-person opportunities.

Application submissions are now open. The deadline for applying is Monday, September 21, 2026.

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Program Benefits

• Medical school mentors to assist in academic goalsetting
• Virtual career development and psychiatry sessions
• Financial support to attend the Future Leaders Academy
• Financial support for a Kaplan Critical Thinking Course
• Financial support for AAMC MSAR Subscription

Number of Awards

25

Program Term

October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027

Requirements

• Application
• Resume
• Three 300–500-word short essays

Criteria / Eligibility

• Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
• Currently enrolled in an accredited U.S. community college or two-year tribal college. You must maintain your active enrollment status for the duration of the program
• Ability to commit to the duration of the program

Nomination / Application Details

Apply Now

Deadline

September 21, 2026

Notification

September 30, 2026

Contact

American Psychiatric Association
Workforce Development Initiative Team
General Email: [email protected]
Program Manager Email: [email protected]

Disclaimer

**Participants in the APA Rising Psychiatry Scholars Program will have their awards managed internally as opposed to receiving funds via direct deposit.**

Program participants will have their registration, airfare, and lodging to the Future Leaders Academy organized and paid for by APA via its online travel system. Following the adjournment of the Future Leaders Academy, and upon the timely submission of receipts, students will be reimbursed for allowable expenses associated with attending the conference (i.e. meals and local transportation that were not prepaid by APA).