IFM Scholarship Programs
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I am so appreciative of this opportunity and am a better clinician because of this experience. I always thought I had to choose between continuing my work in a community setting or pursuing a career in functional medicine, and through this, I’ve learned that I do not have to choose.
– 2021 Functional Medicine for All Scholarship Recipient
IFM is proud to offer annual scholarships to expand access to functional medicine training.
These scholarships help clinicians gain new clinical skills and effectively apply the functional medicine model in diverse clinical settings. IFM is committed to lowering the barrier of functional medicine training through scholarships and other initiatives so that we can bring functional medicine care into more communities around the globe.
The 2024 Founders' and Debbie Sanstad scholarship applications are now closed. Applications for the Functional Medicine for All scholarship will open June 2024.
IFM Scholarship Opportunities
Founders' Scholarship
The Founders' Scholarship was established and funded by IFM founders Susan and Jeff Bland. This scholarship supports functional medicine education for primary care practitioners working with underserved communities who show exemplary leadership and passion for their communities and the mission of IFM.
Meet the 2023 Founders’ Scholarship Recipients
Congratulations to Irdina Aminuddin, MBBS, from Selangor, Malaysia, and Tarika James, MD, from New York, USA, who were recently awarded the inaugural Founders’ Scholarship! Click here to learn more about each recipient and see how both are working to make in a difference in their communities.
Who is this award for?
- Primary care providers currently practicing anywhere around the globe
- Primary care providers beginning their certification journey and who are currently working with medically underserved communities
Total Awards Given Annually: 2
What the award includes:
- Cost of all uncompleted IFM Certification Pathway programs (AFMCP and 6 APMs)
- Annual International Conference (winner must attend in-person event)
- Up to $1,000 travel-expense reimbursement
What the award does NOT include:
- Any additional CME costs
- IFM Membership
- IFMCP Application Fee
- IFMCP Case Fee and Case Remediation Fees
- IFMCP Written Test Fee
- IFMCP Costs associated with re-certification/certification maintenance
- IFMCP Review Course Fee
Eligibility requirements:
To be eligible for the Founders' Scholarship, applicants:
- Clinicians must have taken at least one of the following courses:
- Must NOT have taken more than one Certification Program (AFMCP or any APM)
- Must be currently a practicing primary care provider working with medically underserved communities
- Clinicians must qualify for IFM Certification to be eligible
Debbie Sanstad Scholarship
In memory of longtime IFM team member Debbie Sanstad, this annual scholarship covers the cost of all coursework in IFM’s Certification Program (IFMCP). The scholarship is intended for clinicians all around the globe, however every other year the award rotates between US domestic clinicians and clinicians living outside of the US. In 2024, the scholarship will be awarded to a clinician practicing with the US and are at the beginning of the IFM certification.
Meet the 2023 Debbie Sanstad Scholarship Recipient
Congratulations Erin Jankauskas, PA-C! Dr. Jankauskas is dedicated to creating accessible health educational programs to help patients in underserved areas to live healthier and more fulfilled lives. Click here to learn more about this year's recipient.
Who is this award for?
- In 2024, the scholarship is for clinicians living/practicing within the United States
- Clinicians who are at the beginning of the IFM Certification Pathway
Total Awards Given Annually: 1
What the award includes:
- Cost of all uncompleted IFM Certification Pathway programs (AFMCP and 6 APMs)
- IFMCP Review Course Fee
- Annual International Conference (the year the scholarship is awarded)
- IFMCP Application Fee
What the award does NOT include:
- Any additional CME costs
- Travel expenses to IFM’s in-person Annual International Conference
- IFM Membership
- IFMCP Case Fee and Case Remediation Fees
- IFMCP Written Test Fee
Eligibility Requirements:
- Clinicians must practice within the United States. (In 2025, the Debbie Sanstad scholarship will be open only to candidates living/practicing outside of the United States).
- Clinicians must have taken at least one of the following courses:
- Must NOT have taken more than two IFM programs required for certification
- Clinicians must qualify for IFM Certification to be eligible
Click here for more information about the Debbie Sanstad Scholarship>
Functional Medicine For All Scholarship
The Functional Medicine for All Scholarship was created to help foster a diverse, equitable, and inclusive field of functional medicine practitioners and patients. This scholarship is intended for clinicians who are beginning their certification journey and are currently working with medically underserved communities.
Who is this award for?
- Clinicians living/practicing in the United States and internationally
- Clinicians beginning their certification journey and who are currently working with medically underserved communities and/or BIPOC practitioners
Total Awards Given Annually: Varies annually (20 scholarships will be awarded in 2024)
IFM was able to increase the number of scholarship awards this year by the generosity of VoLo Foundation.
What the award includes:
- Cost of Fall AFMCP
- Virtual facilitated sessions with functional medicine professionals to enhance program learnings
What the award does NOT include:
- Any additional CME costs
- IFM Membership
Eligibility Requirements:
- Clinicians must have taken at least one of the following courses:
- Must NOT have taken AFMCP and must NOT have taken no more than one APM .
- Must be able to demonstrate work in or with medically underserved communities. BIPOC practitioners and those working with BIPOC communities encouraged to apply.
- Clinicians must qualify for IFM Certification to be eligible
Click here for more information about the Functional Medicine for All Scholarship>
*Terms and Conditions: Please note that the eligibility, inclusions, and conditions outlined in IFM’s Debbie Sanstad Scholarship, Founders Scholarship, and Functional Medicine for All Scholarship are subject to change without notice.
Functional Medicine Training Empowers Health and Transforms Lives - Hear from past scholarship recipients.
IFM changed the way I see things, especially in the practice of medicine. It opens my mind and heart that there are still a lot of things to do in our health system. We must be more holistic, and we must work as a team. Thank you, IFM, for this opportunity. I will forever be grateful."
- Victor Maredi, MD
Debbie Sanstad IFMCP Scholarship Recipient
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Stay Informed
The 2024 Founders' and Debbie Sanstad scholarship applications are now closed. Applications for the Functional Medicine for All scholarship will open June 2024.
To learn more about IFM scholarships and when applications open, please fill out the form below or email scholarships@ifm.org with any questions.
Your Donation in Action
Treating patients through a personalized approach to care advances health and well-being for all individuals worldwide. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on the generosity of supporters like you to help fund these scholarship opportunities. Together, we can continue to train the next generation of practitioners in functional medicine and increase the accessibility of functional medicine for practitioners and patients worldwide. Support us by contacting partnerships@ifm.org or click below. 
