Thomas Zand Scholarship Application

Thomas Zand Scholarships for Excellence in Research and Service

 TYPES OF SCHOLARSHIPS AND ELIGIBILITY

For 2025, there are two competitive scholarships for UMass Chan medical students:

• Excellence in Service for a 1st or 2nd year (2nd or 3rd year at the time of the conference) medical student who demonstrates passion for refugee health as well as commitment and service.
• Excellence in Research for a 2nd or 3rd year (3rd and 4th year at the time of the conference) medical student who demonstrates scholarship in refugee health and has submitted a presentation or a poster for presentation.  Applicants for the Excellence in Research Award should note that the 2025 International Refugee & Migrant Health Conference abstract submissions are due February 1, 2025. Priority will be given to those whose abstracts are accepted at the conference. 

For both scholarships, candidates should: 

• Have shown exemplary community engaged service and interest in refugee health through engagement in Refugee Health Interest Group, UMass Chan Asylum program or volunteering with local Worcester organizations serving refugees (such as ACE, Ansaar, Ascentria, ORIS, UHAI, RIAC, RISE, WARM, WRAP, Worcester Islamic Center, and any others).
• Demonstrate commitment to long-term engagement in the field of refugee health. 
• “Excellence in Research” students are encouraged to submit presentations with a community partner as co-presenter. If selected, the cost of conference participation for one member of a community organization will be covered up to $2,250.

SCHOLARSHIP AMOUNT

The scholarships will be for up to $2,250 each on a reimbursement-basis and the following costs are eligible for reimbursement: 

1. Conference registration fees
2. Round trip economy air travel
3. Economy transportation to and from the airport to the destination hotel
4. Lodging at the conference hotel (or nearby hotel) while attending the conference

APPLICATION PROCESS

If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit your application to Heather-Lyn.Haley@umassmed.edu . The deadline for applications is February 15. In your application, please include the following:

 

1. CV
2. Two letters of recommendation including one from a partner organization supporting refugee, asylum seeker or immigrant population.
3. One page personal statement about yourself and why you should be considered for this scholarship. Please also include the following:

a.      Your year in medical school

b.      Your experience in Refugee Health. 

c.       Your career plans in the area of Refugee Health

d.      Your leadership experience working with community and/or student groups

e.      Why do you want to attend the NARHC conference?

4. Only for the Excellence in Research Scholarship: Include a copy of the abstract submission for the NARHC conference. Once the applicants receive notification from NARHC regarding the acceptance of their abstract, they should send a confirmation to heather-lyn.haley@umassmed.edu. 

Awardees will be announced by April 15, 2025. Funding will be provided by the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health. Recipients must review their calendars and ensure that they are available during the time of the conference. Those with clinical training conflicts will be responsible for contacting rotation supervisors to request formal permission to attend the conference. Funding is also available for a community partner representative to attend the conference with our student scholarship winners as a way to encourage true partnership where power is shared and all are meaningfully engaged in the work submitted for presentation.