Before you read further: National Medical Fellowships is restricted to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and DACA recipients already enrolled in a U.S. medical school. It is not open to international applicants outside the United States. If you are searching for fully funded medical study abroad as an international student, this is not the right program. See the related section at the bottom of this page for alternatives
National Medical Fellowships (NMF) provides funding, mentorship, and professional development to medical students already enrolled at LCME- or COCA-accredited U.S. medical schools, with a particular focus on students from backgrounds underrepresented in medicine.
National Medical Fellowships summary
- Sponsor: National Medical Fellowships (NMF)
- Eligible institutions: LCME- and COCA (AOA)-accredited U.S. medical schools
- Award value: Varies by specific fellowship within the NMF portfolio – funding can include tuition support, stipends, and program-specific grants (confirm exact figures per fellowship on NMF’s site, since NMF administers multiple distinct awards under one umbrella, not a single fixed amount)
- Study level: Graduate – medical school (MD/DO)
- Study in: United States
- Eligibility: U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or DACA recipients only
- Application Cycles 2026
Cycle 1: January 12 – February 23, 2026
Cycle 2: April 6 – May 17, 2026
Cycle 3: June 29 – August 9, 2026
Cycle 4: September 22 – November 2, 2026
Benefits
- Financial support toward tuition and related educational costs (amount varies by specific fellowship)
- Stipends for living expenses on select awards
- Funding for medical research and clinical training
- Mentorship, networking, and leadership development
- Travel grants for conferences and specialized training
- Support securing internship and fellowship placements
Eligibility
- U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or DACA recipient (verify current DACA eligibility directly with NMF, as this can change with policy)
- Currently enrolled in an LCME- or COCA(AOA)-accredited medical program
- Strong academic standing (minimum GPA varies by specific fellowship)
- Demonstrated interest in healthcare leadership, community service, or research
- Financial need may be a factor for some, though not all, NMF fellowships
Required Documents
- Student Aid Report (SAR) from the U.S. Department of Education
- Loan history documentation (current and undergraduate) from the National Student Loan Data System
- Official Letter of Financial Aid Award Offer
- Current professional school transcript
- Proof of citizenship, permanent residency, or DACA status (accepted forms: U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport, USCIS naturalization certificate, voter registration + photo ID, green card, or DACA approval letter)
- CV/résumé
- One or more letters of recommendation, depending on the specific fellowship
If you are preparing your recommendation request, our guide to getting a strong scholarship recommendation letter covers who to ask and how.
How to Apply
- Review NMF’s official site to identify which specific fellowship(s) within their portfolio you qualify for – NMF runs several distinct programs, not one single award
- Create an account on NMF’s online application portal
- Complete the application form with academic and personal details
- Upload all required documents listed above
- Submit your personal statement: our statement of purpose guide covers structure if you need it, though NMF’s prompt is specifically about your medical career goals and connection to the fellowship’s mission
- Provide referee contact details; they will receive a separate email to upload their letter directly
Tips for a Strong Application
- Apply as early as possible within your cycle window as later submissions in the same cycle do not get extra consideration, but early ones give you time to fix any document issues
- Connect your personal statement specifically to NMF’s mission around healthcare equity, not just your general interest in medicine
- Choose recommenders who can speak to specific examples of your leadership or community engagement, not just academic performance
- Highlight concrete community health or underserved-population work, since NMF’s selection explicitly values this.
If you are an International Student
Since NMF is restricted to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and DACA recipients, international applicants looking for medical or health-sciences funding should look elsewhere. See our guides on finding fully funded international scholarships for options genuinely open to non-U.S. applicants.
FAQs
Can international students apply to National Medical Fellowships?
No: NMF requires U.S. citizenship, permanent residency, or DACA status. It is not open to international applicants.
Is this one scholarship or several?
NMF administers multiple distinct fellowships under one organization; the specific award value, criteria, and number of recommendation letters required vary by which one you apply to.
Do I need financial need to qualify?
It may be a factor in some but not all NMF fellowships. Check the specific program you are applying to.
Can DACA recipients definitely apply?
DACA status is listed among accepted eligibility documents, but immigration-related eligibility rules can change. Confirm current DACA eligibility directly with NMF before applying.
Related Reading
For a different U.S.-based option open to international applicants, see the AAUW Fellowship, aimed at international and African women scholars
Apply via Official Site: National Medical Fellowships
Checklist and general eligibility: NMF Scholarships & Awards
Kukual verifies scholarship details against official sponsor pages at the time of publication and on each update. Confirm current eligibility, deadlines, and award values on NMF’s official page before applying.
