American Medical Association Foundation

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OVERVIEW: The American Medical Association Foundation awards public health grants to help young people establish healthy behaviors and to physician-led free clinics that improve access to quality affordable health care for low-income communities. It awards grants for leadership development and LGBTQ health, as well as scholarships for medical students in their final year.

IP TAKE: This foundation is very much community oriented in its grantmaking. That, coupled with the fact that it accepts unsolicited grant proposals, makes AMA an ideal resource for local community health outfits. Larger organizations with national needs shouldn’t apply to this funder.

PROFILE: The American Medical Association Foundation is the charitable arm of the American Medical Association (AMA). The AMA Foundation has been around since 1950, so it’s witnessed a number of public health trends over the decades. The foundation says it is committed to improving public health across the country by increasing its support in a variety of areas, including “grants to free clinics, health education projects, and health literacy tools.” The AMA Foundation revamped its strategic plan, calling for an expansion of its public health programming, and now supports a wider range of grantmaking. 

Grants for Public Health and Diseases

The AMA’s Community Health Program focuses on increasing “health equity and improve health outcomes by creating a cohort of community-based organizations throughout the country to prevent and manage Type 2 diabetes and hypertension for vulnerable and underserved populations. Our first cohort is utilizing a variety of approaches with their patient clients – health screenings, nutrition classes, cooking demonstrations, physical fitness options and access to healthy foods – all delivered in a manner uniquely suited to the needs of their communities.” The program provides technical assistance webinars and other educational resources, along with financial support up to $50,000.

The foundation’s Leadership Development Institute aims to cultivate leaders in the medical field by offering “a unique opportunity to gain individualized insight into the skills needed to foster their careers and the future of medicine.” The program consists of “professional development opportunities,” mentorship, seminars, webinars, weekend retreats, and an event at the AMA Annual Meeting.

The AMA also recognizes doctors who “exemplify the highest values of volunteerism, community engagement, leadership and dedication to the care of underserved populations” through its Excellence in Medicine Awards. The recipients are honored at the AMA’s Annual Meeting. Candidates must be nominated by a colleague or fellow AMA member.

Grants for LGBTQ

The AMA’s National Fellowship for LGBTQ Health addresses “inter-sectional issues of discrimination, stigma, access and quality of care” for LGBTQ patients by developing a “cadre of physicians trained to address the specific health care needs of the LGBTQ community” and relieve the shortage of health care providers who are culturally considerate and knowledgeable about LGBTQ health concerns. Overall, the program aims to reduce health disparities and improve quality of life for LGBTQ patients, build the capacity of health services to address unique LGBTQ health needs, and understand the social determinants of health in these communities.

Grants for Higher Education

The AMA’s Physicians of Tomorrow scholarship offers modest tuition assistance to students approaching their final year of medical school. Candidates must be nominated by their institution. In addition to the general grant program, candidates may apply through one of nine different award categories:

  • Underrepresented in Medicine, for students of African-American, Latino, Native American, Native Hawaiian, or Native Alaskan descent.

  • Dr. Richard Allen Williams & Genita Evangelista Johnson/Association of Black Cardiologists Scholarship for African-American medical students with an interest in cardiology.

  • AMA Alliance Grassroots Scholarship for medical students with an interests in women’s and/or children’s health.

  • Herman E. Diskin, MD. Memorial Scholarship for students demonstrating a “strong commitment to medicine, humanitarian public service and compassionate patient care.”

  • Illinois Scholarship for students currently attending medical school in the state of Illinois, or former Illinois residents studying out of state.

  • David Jones Peck, MD Scholarship for Health Equity for students showing a “commitment to addressing health disparities and promoting health equity in diverse, economically disadvantaged, and urban environments.”

  • Dr. Lin and Minta Hill Alexander Scholarship for students currently attending medical school in the state of Oklahoma.

  • Medical Society of the State of New York/Dr. Duane and Joyce Cady for students currently attending medical school in the state of New York and with plans to practice in New York after graduation.

  • Ohio Scholarship for students currently attending medical school in the state of Ohio.

Important Grant Details:

Grants and scholarships generally range from $10,000 to $50,000. Grantseekers may review the foundation’s program pages for more information on past recipients. While there are no general geographic restrictions within the United States, some scholarships may only be available in certain regions.

Applicants for program grants must first submit a letter of intent in order to be invited to apply. Candidates for recognition awards and scholarships must be nominated by a colleague or educational institution.

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