Funded by SAMHSA
Supported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the SAMHSA Minority Fellowship provides a one-year (2nd year optional) fellowship to psychiatry residents who are at the PG1 level or higher and are committed to addressing minority psychiatric mental health issues. If you are interested in becoming a leader and are committed to a career providing culturally sensitive psychiatric services for minority underserved populations, we invite you to apply.
The 2020-2021 application cycle closed on January 31, 2020. The 2021-2022 application cycle will open in Fall 2020.
Program Benefits
- Receive federal funds ($25,000 - $28,000, depending on your PGY year) to develop and execute innovative projects that you could not otherwise carry out in your residency program to alleviate substance abuse/mental health disparities for underserved communities. For the avoidance of doubt, innovative projects do not include research projects already being conducted or funded by your institution.
- Attend the APA Annual meeting and APA September Component Meeting (including attendance at the All Fellows’ Orientation)
- Develop leadership skills in the field of psychiatry and advance understanding of the life experiences of racial/ethnic minority communities
- Receive mentorship from the National Minority Mentor's Network (NMMN) and at multiple levels throughout APA
- Attend the APA Annual Meeting
- Gain understanding of APA/APAF Governance through service on an APA Council or work group
- Participate in workshop presentations at APA meetings
- Attend courses and workshops at APA Meetings and attend training opportunities that develop psychiatry leaders with an interest in improving the quality of mental health care for diverse and underserved populations
- Have the opportunity to sit on the APA Board of Trustees as a non-voting member (one SAMHSA, SAMSHA Substance Abuse or Diversity Leadership fellow allowed)
- Receive access to a lifetime network of a professional association with psychiatrists interested in minority mental health and services
- Establish relationships and peer-mentorship with a diverse group of resident fellows with similar career interests and goals
SAMHSA Expectations
- Work to improve mental health conditions of ethnic or racial minorities
- Assist SAMHSA in maintaining program funding
- Strengthen your professional foundation
- Give back
- Help SAMHSA promote the Minority Fellowship program
- Participate in the MFP community of learning
- Complete ALL surveys administered by SAMHSA and your sponsoring fellowship organization (APA/APAF)
Program Expectations
- Properly use funding in accordance with the guidelines administered by SAMHSA
- Be in good standing in one’s residency program throughout the fellowship
- Attend the APA Annual Meeting and all fellowship-related activities
- Contribute to the work of an APA Council or APA/APAF leadership group (in-person meetings, conference calls, email discussions and work groups)
- Participate in the All Fellows' Orientation during the APA September Components Meeting
- Join a minimum of 75% of regular fellowship teleconferences
- Schedule mid-year and year-end evaluations with the Fellowships team
- Prepare a mid-year and year-end report outlining use of funds and fellowship experiences
- Contribute items for the All Fellows’ e-newsletter and/or submit a post to the APA blog
Number of Awards
Up to 28 per year, pending funding
Duration
One year, optional second year with re-application and APAF approval
Program Term
October, 1 2020 – September 30, 2021, renewable second year
Eligibility at the Time of Matriculation
- Be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or noncitizen nationals
- PGY-1 level or higher at the time of matriculation
- Remain in training during the entire duration of the fellowship
- Have a strong commitment to a career in mental health services with ethnic minorities or policy. If selected for the fellowship, you must sign a letter of commitment attesting that you will work for a period of two years after the fellowship in a capacity that addresses the behavioral health needs of racial and ethnic minority populations.
- It is not required for applicants to identify as ethnic minorities; however, African Americans, Alaska Natives, American Indians, Asian-Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders are especially encouraged to apply.
You can apply for as many APA/APAF Fellowships during an application cycle based on your eligibility. However, participation in more than one APA fellowship simultaneously is not permitted.
Project Eligibility
Your SAMHA project must:
- Be original and innovative (not an existing project at your institution) and include one of the following:
- Improve the quality of mental and substance use disorder prevention and treatment services for racial and ethnic minority populations
- Increase the number of culturally sensitive behavioral health professionals
Application Requirements
- Completed online application form
- Curriculum vitae
- One-page personal statement explaining how the fellowship will impact the applicant's career
- Three letters of recommendation from psychiatrists, including one letter from Training Director addressing your contribution to minority and underserved populations
- One-page SAMHSA project plan describing how funds will be used and how they will support the mission of the Fellowship
- Proposed budget plan (Please budget up to $25,000 minimum)
- View the guidelines for reference letters and proposed budget plans
Selection Criteria
The selection committee will be looking for the following competencies in applicants:
- Excellence of the candidate’s CV (leadership, creativity, clinical skills, extra-curricular activities, publications/presentations)
- Strong letters of recommendation (training director’s evaluation, other references)
- Compelling personal statement
- Project originality and potential impact on minority/underrepresented groups.
Application Deadline
The 2020-2021 application cycle closed on January 31, 2020. The 2021-2022 application cycle will open in Fall 2020.
Award Notification
March
Disclaimer
- The APA/APAF SAMHSA Minority Fellows (subject to the availability of funds) receive fellowship funds and serve for one year with an opportunity to apply for an additional year if Fellows are still in training and in good standing with their institutions.
- Fellowship awards are subject to future funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Contact
American Psychiatric Association Foundation
c/o Fellowships Team
Phone: 202-459-9782
Email: fellowships@psych.org