About the Program
The MFP aims to reduce mental health disparities and improve behavioral health outcomes for marginalized and minoritized populations by:
- Increasing the number of culturally competent mental and substance use disorder psychiatrists who teach, administer services, conduct research, and provide direct mental or substance use disorder services to marginalized and minoritized populations.
- Increasing the knowledge related to prevention, treatment, and recovery support for individuals who are from marginalized and minoritized populations and who have a mental or substance use disorder.
- Improving the quality of mental and substance use disorder prevention and treatment services delivered to marginalized and minoritized populations.
To address these aims, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) has developed several signature programs that provide experiential learning opportunities for future psychiatrists at all academic levels. This program has a long history of promoting and helping to recruit a culturally competent and diverse psychiatric workforce which we continue with excellent and novel programming.
Resident Fellowship Program (RFP)
Psychiatry Residents
- Program Dates: October, 1 2024 – September 30, 2025
- Application Deadline: March 17, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. (Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time)
This program is a year-long fellowship for psychiatry residents who are at the PG-1 level or higher committed to addressing minority psychiatric mental health issues. APA funds your attendance to the APA Annual Meeting and other educational events. The development of leadership skills in the field of psychiatry with a practicum based on service to underrepresented minority communities, APA mentorship, APA governance training through service on an APA council or work group, and lifelong professional connections with other like-minded residents and psychiatrists.
Summer Medical Student Program (SMSP)
Medical Students
- Program Dates: May 1, 2025 – July 31, 2025
- Application Deadline: March 1, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. (Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time)
This program is a comprehensive virtual three month-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 (in-person), 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. It aims to prepare participants to effectively address the unique needs of diverse communities, directly contributing to the reduction of health disparities in mental health.
Future Leaders in Psychiatry (FLIPP)
University Students
- Program Dates: October 1, 2024 – September 30, 2025
- Application Deadline: September 1, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. (Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time)
This one-year virtual program is dedicated to increasing the representation of underrepresented minorities in medical schools and psychiatry. FLIPP offers a comprehensive curriculum that includes virtual lectures on career development, and a Kaplan MCAT preparatory courses, 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 2024 – September 30, 2025
- Application Deadline: September 15, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. (Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time)
This one-year virtual program is designed for students at accredited U.S. community colleges and two-year Tribal Colleges. This one-year virtual program introduces participants to the field of psychiatry. RPSP provides a Kaplan Critical Thinking course, virtual career and academic development sessions, medical student mentorship, along with networking opportunities at the Future Leaders Academy (in-person). RPSP supports participants as they transition to four-year colleges and navigate the university application process, thereby cultivating a diverse pipeline of future psychiatric professionals dedicated to advancing equity in mental health care.
Aspiring Psychiatrist Program (APP)
High School Students
- Program Dates: October, 1 2024 – September 30, 2025
- Application Deadline: September 15, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. (Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time)
This one-year virtual program is designed to introduce students at accredited U.S. high schools to the field of psychiatry and the academic and professional process for becoming a physician. APP provides educational sessions that expose high school students to medicine, psychiatry, and opportunities for networking. APA aims to expose a culturally diverse group of high schoolers to psychiatry and medicine to cultivate a pipeline of future psychiatric professionals dedicated to advancing equity in mental health care. Individual students can apply along with teachers who would like to provide this educational opportunity for their classes.
Contact Us
SAMHSA Minority Fellowships Team
General Email: [email protected]
Program Coordinator Emails: [email protected] & [email protected]