Empowered Resident Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by PracticeMatch
Overview
PracticeMatch established the Empowered Resident Scholarship to support residents and fellows pursuing careers in medicine and community care. The program recognizes applicants who demonstrate dedication to caring for others and meaningful community involvement. Applicants must submit a CV and a minimum 500-word essay describing their inspiration for medicine and how they will use their training to impact their community. The winner receives a monetary award to offset education costs.
Description: The scholarship funds medical trainees who exhibit community involvement and a clear commitment to improving others' lives through clinical practice.
History of the Award: PracticeMatch has supported physician careers since 1990 and launched this scholarship in 2017 to assist residents and fellows pursuing patient-centered work.
- Established to support residents and fellows with a commitment to community care.
- Requires a CV and an essay articulating motivation and community impact.
- Administered by PracticeMatch to complement its physician career resources.
Eligibility & Criteria
The scholarship is open to current medical trainees enrolled in medical school, residency, or fellowship programs in the United States, except where void or prohibited by law. Financial need is not a requirement for eligibility. Essays are judged on clarity, organization, and the applicant's demonstrated understanding of the value of caring for others through a medical career. Applicants must be able to verify enrollment if selected as a winner.
Eligibility: Current medical students, residents, or fellows enrolled in U.S.-based programs at the contest deadline; enrollment verification required for winners.
Selection Criteria: Winners are chosen via an essay contest emphasizing clear, articulate, and logically organized writing that conveys commitment to patient care and community service.
- Open to U.S.-based medical students, residents, and fellows.
- Financial need is not considered; selection is merit-based on the essay.
- Enrollment verification required for award disbursement.
Submission & Rules
Entrants must submit a CV and an original essay of at least 500 words written in English. Essays must be double-spaced and free of spelling errors or visible corrections; plagiarism will result in disqualification. Mailed submissions must include a stapled cover sheet with contact details and program or school name, and mailed materials should be stapled together. Only one entry per student is permitted, and entrants retain responsibility for meeting submission requirements.
Submission Requirements: Submit a CV plus an original, double-spaced essay (minimum 500 words) in English; one entry per student; mailed submissions require a stapled cover sheet with name, contact information, and program name.
- CV and essay are both required for entry.
- Essays must be original, 500+ words, double-spaced, and written in English.
- One entry per student; follow mailed submission packaging instructions if applicable.
Judging & Selection
PracticeMatch's executive team and departmental directors serve as judges, bringing experience with the impact of healthcare providers at local and national levels. Judges evaluate essays on expression and reasoning rather than agreement with viewpoints, focusing on clarity, organization, and demonstration of commitment to caring for others. Plagiarism or infringement of third-party rights will disqualify an entry. Judges reserve the right to extend contest deadlines when appropriate.
Judges: PracticeMatch executive team and departmental directors who evaluate submissions for writing quality and demonstrated commitment to patient care.
Selection Process: Essays are assessed for clear, articulate, and logically organized expression that validates the applicant's perspective and commitment to healthcare.
- Judges prioritize writing quality and demonstrated dedication to caring for others.
- Essays are judged on expression, not on agreement with the viewpoint presented.
- Plagiarism disqualifies entries; judges may grant deadline extensions at their discretion.
Award Value & Timeline
The winning entrant receives a $2,000 award to be applied toward their education. Submissions must be received or postmarked by 11:59 PM Pacific Standard Time on the specified December due date. The winner will be announced on January 8, 2027, and the winning essay will be published on the PracticeMatch website and social media channels. Winners must provide enrollment verification before funds are disbursed.
Award Value: $2,000, intended to offset educational expenses for the winning resident or fellow.
Application Timeline: Entries must meet the December due date and be submitted or postmarked by 11:59 PM PST; winner announced January 8, 2027, with publication of the winning essay.
- $2,000 award applied to the recipient's education.
- Submit or postmark entries by the December deadline; deadline time is 11:59 PM PST.
- Winner announced January 8, 2027; essay will be published online and on social media.