WAFP Foundation

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Mission / How You Can Help
Awards & Scholarships - Apply
Foundation Board

Mission

The Foundation fosters the advancement of family medicine in Washington through support for workforce development, advocacy, leadership development, and emerging needs.

The WAFP Foundation is dedicated to:

Advancing Family Medicine in Washington

Annual grants to our schools who are committed to encouraging the next generation of family physicians. These larger grants help expand student engagement and improve training experiences statewide.

Family Medicine Interest Groups (FMIGs) to foster interest in our specialty, student connection, leadership, and career exploration
Rural Practice Interest to expand and improving rural practice training

Investing in Students and Residents

Encouraging Research

Recognizing Physician Leaders

Support physicians beyond residency as they grow into their careers, strengthening family medicine through scholarships, recognition, and collaboration.

Leadership Scholarships for advanced training and professional development
Endowed Professorships to elevate academic excellence in family medicine
Awards honoring outstanding educators and physician leaders
Invitations to share knowledge with students, residents, and peers

Building Community

Foster meaningful connections across the family medicine spectrum, bringing together physicians, residents, and students to share ideas, advance equity, and grow as a profession.

Events that connect physicians, residents, and students across Washington
Support for health initiatives that promote equitable care
Sponsorships for WAFP and AAFP conferences and gatherings
Outreach to engage and inspire future family medicine leaders
Conversations on emerging topics

How you can help.

Your donations of time and money make our work possible.

Contribute Time

Share your practice interests with students.
Teach skills at the retreat.
Host a meal to discuss family medicine.
Offer practice visits to learners.

Make a Donation

Help us do more for family medicine in our state! Use the button below to donate today.
(see the menu to the left for how we use donations)

Donate to the Foundation

Contact info@wafp.net if you are interested in any of the above.

Awards & Scholarships

The Foundation encourages leadership and learning by offering awards, scholarships, and recognition for members.

Explore the opportunities and apply!

For Physicians

2027 Family Medicine Educator of the Year

Each year, the Foundation celebrates a WAFP member making a critical difference for our students or residents. Applications are now being accepted; submit your materials (nominee's CV and 3-5 letters of recommendation, including at least two from former students/residents) at this link. Nominations are due Jan. 31, 2027.

Vision 2020 Leadership Development Awards

Awards of up to $1,500 for physician leadership and communication skills development and practice anti-racism and/or health equity training. Physicians and practices are encouraged to request funding for training in those categories. Some examples are listed for illustration purposes only. Applications accepted on a rolling basis.

Examples: American Association for Physician Leadership, WMSA Leadership Program, DEI trainings from a university, Physicians for Reproductive Health Leadership Training.

For Residents

Travel Awards

National Conference of Constituency Leaders (NCCL) – Travel Award (Kansas City, MO)
Travel expenses and registration fees for a second- or third-year resident to attend the AAFP’s conference. Joining WAFP representatives from the five identified constituencies (new physicians, women, BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and international medical graduates) — as well as those physicians who are supportive of and aligned with the issues faced by each constituency — the recipient participates in matters important to the individual constituencies. Learn more here(opens in new tab). Applications due by Jan. 15, 2027.

Family Medicine Advocacy Summit – Travel Award (Washington, DC)
Travel expenses and registration for one resident to attend AAFP's two-day event. Attendees hear the current nationwide priorities for family medicine, practice advocacy skills, and meet with members and staff from Washington’s congressional delegation. Learn more here(opens in new tab). Applications due by Feb. 6, 2027.

FUTURE and National Conference of Resident Members – Travel Award (Kansas City, MO)
Awards of $1,000 for family medicine residents to attend FUTURE and participate in the concurrently held Resident Congress. This is an advocacy and leadership opportunity for one resident delegate and one alternate resident delegate to attend all business sessions, represent Washington state residents, and vote in the elections. Learn more here(opens in new tab)! Applications due by May 15, 2027.

Scholarship

Roy Virak Memorial Family Medicine Resident Scholarship
Two $1,000 awards to for two second-year residents who show evidence of outstanding patient care and strong service to their communities. A short personal statement and letter of support from the current residency make up the application. Applications due by Feb. 6, 2027.

For Students

Travel Awards

The 2026 application window for the following awards is now closed. Check back in the fall for 2027 awards.

FUTURE and National Congress of Student Members – Travel Award (Kansas City, MO)
Awards of $1,000 for medical students to attend the AAFP conference. Medical students attending the conference network with hundreds of residency programs and attend a variety of workshops designed to improve clinical skills. Held simultaneously with FUTURE, the Student Congress is an advocacy and leadership opportunity for one student delegate and one alternate student delegate to attend all business sessions, represent Washington state's students, and vote in the elections. Learn more here(opens in new tab)! Applications due by May 15, 2027.

Family Medicine Advocacy Summit – Travel Award (Washington, DC)
Travel expenses and registration for one student to attend the AAFP Summit in Washington, DC. During this two-day event, attendees learn about the current nationwide priorities for family medicine, practice advocacy skills, and meet members and staff from Washington’s congressional delegation. Learn more here(opens in new tab). Applications due by Feb. 6, 2027.

Scholarships

Diverse Constituency Scholarship
Three $2,000 scholarships for first-year medical students who represent the BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities. Applicants are evaluated on an interest in primary care and a personal statement. Applications due by Feb. 6, 2027.

Alfred O. Berg, MD, Scholarship for Excellence in Family Medicine Research Scholarship
This $1,000 award encourages research in family medicine by honoring a fourth-year graduating medical student who matched into family medicine and conducted outstanding research in the specialty. Nominations are made by a faculty sponsor, and a copy of the supporting research is needed. Applications due by March 26, 2027.

Family Medicine Summer Research Externship
Up to $4,000 for a medical student to research a topic in family medicine. Students submit a proposal and supporting documents to the Foundation as their application. Applications due by May 31, 2027.

Medical School Scholarships
The Foundation funds scholarships at each of Washington’s medical schools. By facilitating the careers of future family doctors, we contribute to improving the pathways of capable and committed students. Information for each school is listed below; please contact the schools directly for more information.

PNWU: One scholarship awarded to a fourth-year medical student. Applications are accepted in March. The scholarship is awarded by PNWU’s Scholarship Committee in April. See https://www.pnwu.edu/admissions/financial-aid/scholarships/
University of Washington: Two fourth-year medical students applying to family medicine residencies are selected by UWSOM faculty to receive $2,000. Recipients are notified each spring. See https://www.washington.edu/financialaid/
Washington State University: One scholarship of $2,000 is awarded to a medical student who has an interest in specializing in family medicine.

Fill Out the Application

I am speechless! What amazing news! It is unfortunate I am unable to meet and thank everyone who made this possible. I would love to somehow thank everyone.

Scholarship Recipient

I am so grateful for the WAFP Foundation’s generosity to fund so many students for this conference. I realized how many in our field see medicine quite differently - and that this is a wonderful thing.

Conference Scholarship Recipient

Our student groups are so lucky and privileged to have the support of the WAFP! We could not have the success we do without the Foundation.

Medical School

All the open discussions we had throughout the Student & Resident Retreat were so welcome. Thank you!

Conference and Retreat Recipient

The ability to attend FUTURE gave me the opportunity to learn more about how cool family medicine is! I feel as confident as ever that family medicine is the specialty for me. I can't wait to explore more opportunities throughout the rest of med. school.