Why Become an International Distinguished Fellow?

International Distinguished Fellowship is awarded to outstanding psychiatrists who have made significant contributions to the psychiatric profession in at least five of the following areas:

• administration
• teaching
• scientific and scholarly publications
• volunteering in mental health and medical activities of social significance
• community involvement
• clinical excellence

International Distinguished Fellow is one of the highest membership honors the APA bestows upon members.

Guidelines for Election to International Distinguished Fellowship

Candidates for International Distinguished Fellowship must be nominated by an International Distinguished Fellow, Distinguished Fellow or Distinguished Life Fellow of the APA. A qualified member may nominate a member by submitting a letter of nomination that addresses any of the nine criteria listed on this form.

Candidates for the International Distinguished Fellows of the APA must have letters of recommendation from one (1) International Distinguished Fellow, Distinguished Life Fellow or Distinguished Fellow and one (1) additional APA member. A third optional letter from a medical colleague familiar with the applicants work, excluding those the candidate is supervising. An option under special circumstances to waive the DFAPA/IDFAPA letter after discussion with and approval by the Membership Committee Chair. Nominees may contact APA to verify the membership class of a colleague.

Nominees for International Distinguished Fellowship must fulfill the criteria for Distinguished Fellowship, having made significant and continued contributions to the field of psychiatry in at least five of the areas listed below. Excellence, not mere competence, is the hallmark of an International Distinguished Fellow.

1. Board Certification, i.e., the equivalent of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology has been held at any time
2. Involvement in the affairs of a local, national or international psychiatric association
3. Involvement in other medical or professional organizations
4. Participation in non-compensated mental health and medical activities of social significance
5. Participation in community activities unrelated to income-producing activities
6. Clinical contributions
7. Administrative contributions
8. Teaching contributions
9. Scientific and scholarly publications

In the recommendation letters, please provide details on the quality of the nominee's accomplishments in the categories above. Letters that amplify and delineate the quality of each activity reported on the nomination form are crucial to the Committee in its evaluation of the nominee.

All letters should be forwarded to the Committee in care of the APA Membership Department through email at [email protected]. (Please note: handwritten letters and applications cannot be accepted).

Please complete the nomination form and return to APA no later than July 1 of each year. If additional space is needed, attach addenda, but space on the nomination form must be used first.

All nominations for the honor of International Distinguished Fellowship are reviewed by the APA Membership Committee which then submits its recommendation to the Board of Trustees for final approval. Nominees will be contacted with information about the Board of Trustees' decision in December each year.

Individuals from countries against which the United States Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control has issued comprehensive sanctions (including Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria and the Crimea Region of Ukraine) are eligible to receive information and informational materials only, as allowed by the exemptions within the relevant OFAC sanctions programs and are ineligible to apply for these designations. For questions, please contact [email protected].