Grants for Medical Students
"Lots of People Go to School for 8 Years - Yeah, They're Called 'Doctors'"
Considering the fact that a college degree of any type costs thousands of dollars, it is no wonder medical students go searching far and wide for as many sources of funding as they can get.
A typical med student is required to have a four-year degree, plus a Medical Doctorate - MD. Beyond that there could be a dozen or so years dedicated to a residency and fellowship depending on the specialty. The sheer magnitude is impressive not to mention the price tag.
Medical students, as well as law students, often finish their college or study careers with over $100,000 in student loans. For this reason many seek funding options such as scholarships, and medical school grants that require no repayment.
Purposes of Medical Grants
You will likely find that a large number of medical student grants target research projects. The Howard Hughes Medical Institute offers a number of research fellowship grants that fund the research of advanced level medical students. It is no wonder that medical monies are awarded for these purposes given the level of medicine in the United States. Individuals, organizations, even medical schools all have invested heavily both with financial and human capital in research projects. Such high-end research bears with it the promise to win great recognition for top-notch medical innovations and research breakthroughs that may occur as a result.
Other sources of medical research grants to check out:
Grants from Medical Associations
The American Medical Student Association's Local Project Grants Program awards more than two dozen grants to student projects that focus on community-based medicine, each year. While not designed for individual medical students, the purpose of such grants are to give medical students an opportunity to explore and manage projects that not only enhance the community, but teach them valuable skills at the same time.
Minority Medical Students
The medical profession has been sorely underrepresented by both women and minorities. For this reason, grant programs often not only encourage minorities to apply, but even emphasize their advantage in competing for grant money.
The American Medical Association's Minority Affairs Commission maintains a database of applicable grants and scholarships for all branches of medical students, including dental, psychiatric and public health specialists.
The driving force behind the Association of American Medical Colleges' grants and scholarships is to enhance the education of medical and research physicians, as well as encouraging diversity in the profession.
