APA is there at every step to prepare future leaders in psychiatry
The APA Workforce Development Initiative fosters the training and development of a strong psychiatric workforce through a variety of programs across the academic continuum. Through experiential learning opportunities, mentorship programs, professional development courses, eLearning and other modern training formats, we aim to:
- Increase the number of mental health and substance use disorder psychiatrists who provide patient centered mental health services, administer services, conduct research, and teach.
- Increase the knowledge related to prevention, treatment, and recovery support.
To address these aims, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) has developed several signature programs for future psychiatrists at all academic levels.
Vanguard Resident Fellowship (SAMHSA Minority Fellowship Program)
Psychiatry Residents
- Program Dates: October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027
- Application Deadline: March 16, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. (Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time)
This program is a virtual year-long fellowship for psychiatry residents at the PG-1 level or higher. The program provides support for a capstone project, access to an APA Learning Center curriculum, leadership development opportunities, mentorship, a travel scholarship to the APA annual meeting, participation in APA governance, and lifelong professional connections.
Emerging Psychiatrists Program (EPP)
Medical Students
- Program Dates: October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027
- Application Deadline: September 21, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. (Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time)
This program is a comprehensive virtual year-long program that equips medical students with exceptional learning experiences led by world-renowned psychiatrists. Participants explore various subspecialties within psychiatry, attend the APA Annual Meeting and other in-person events, and access invaluable academic resources through the APA Learning Center, and receive a $500 APA publishing certificate. The program is designed to enhance awareness of careers in psychiatry and broaden exposure to the field, thereby supporting students' career development in mental health services.
Future Leaders in Psychiatry Program (FLIPP)
University Students
- Program Dates: October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027
- Application Deadline: September 21, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. (Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time)
This one-year virtual program is designed for students at accredited U.S. four-year universities. FLIPP offers a comprehensive curriculum that includes virtual lectures on career development, and a Kaplan MCAT preparatory course, and detailed sessions on medical school applications. Participants benefit from mentorship by current medical students and attend the Future Leaders Academy (in-person), which greatly enhances their exposure to the field and provides significant professional development opportunities.
Rising Psychiatry Scholars Program (RPSP)
Community College Students
- Program Dates: October, 1 2026 – September 30, 2027
- Application Deadline: September 21, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. (Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time)
This one-year virtual program is designed for students at accredited U.S. two-year colleges. RPSP offers a comprehensive curriculum that includes a Kaplan Critical Thinking course, virtual career and academic development sessions aimed at matriculation to a four-year institution, medical student mentorship, along with networking opportunities at the Future Leaders Academy (in-person). RPSP supports participants as they transition to four-year colleges.
Aspiring Psychiatrist Program (APP)
High School Students
- Program Dates: October, 1 2026 – September 30, 2027
This one-year program is designed to introduce high school students to the exciting field of psychiatry. We do this through partnering with different organizations which already have groups of high schoolers enrolled into their programming who would like to expose them to psychiatry, mental health discussions, and medical school minded career development.
Contact Us
APA Workforce Development Initiative Team
General Email: [email protected]
Program Coordinator Emails: [email protected] & [email protected]