Family Medicine Leads Emerging Leader Institute

Application process and eligibility requirements.

AAFP Family Medicine Leads Emerging Leader Institute logo

The application process has closed for 2026.

Application process

We encourage all to apply and are committed to the development of future Family Medicine leaders who reflect the rich diversity of the specialty and the patients served.

The application period is open from January 1 to March 1.

Before applying

To complete the online application process, your submission must include:

  • A PDF of your curriculum vitae (CV) or resumé.
  • A PDF letter of recommendation (see section III.3 in Guidelines and Requirements)

Medical students:

  • Must be a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). Join now.
  • Must be in the second, third, or fourth year of medical school when the program begins.
  • Must receive pre-approval from the medical school director for participation in this program.

Family medicine residents:

  • Must be a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). Join now.
  • Must be in the first or second year of residency when the program begins.
  • Must receive pre-approval from the residency director for participation in this program.
    • M4s who will be first year residents when the program begins must receive approval from the residency director after they match

Selected recipients must attend FUTURE, July 30–August 1, 2026, and the AAFP Foundation Emerging Leader Institute, August 1-2, 2026. If you are unable to attend both, then the scholarship will be forfeited.

NOTE: Unsuccessful applicants may apply again if they still meet all the eligibility criteria listed above.

Applications will be reviewed by the Family Medicine Leads Work Group, a sub-group of the AAFP Foundation Board of Trustees, and volunteer reviewers. The applicants receiving the highest average numeric scores will be selected.

  • The deadline for the application, CV or resumé, and letter of recommendation is March 1, 11:59 p.m., CT.
  • The selected participants will be notified via email by April 30.

The AAFP Foundation strives to create a sense of belonging through an inclusive environment that embraces the family medicine community by recognizing individual uniqueness and contributions to family medicine.