NCMIC Public Policy Fellowship

Aim of the NMSA Fellowship Program 

The long-term goal of the NMSA Fellowship Fund is to create opportunities for naturopathic physicians-in-training to participate in projects which augment their studies and enrich their surrounding communities through service, education, research, and self-study. Fellowships are awarded on a yearly basis to outstanding naturopathic medical students who show great potential and self-determination. 

One of the NMSA’s core aims is to support advocacy efforts for the naturopathic profession. We primarily do this through our partnership with AANP by promoting the annual DC Federal Legislative Initiative and through the grant for this fellowship. 

NMSA Public Policy Fellowship 

Public Policy: the principles, often unwritten, on which social laws are based that have the best interest of the public in mind

Advocacy: public support for or recommendation of a particular cause or policy

The Purpose of the NMSA Public Policy fund is to provide naturopathic students with an opportunity to develop leadership skills at the intersection of naturopathic medicine and public legislation, to advance external affairs work on behalf of NMSA, and to coordinate NMSA involvement in legislative efforts. One award of $1,500 USD each will be granted in 2022. This fellowship funds a year-long advocacy-related project that may include but is not limited to any of the following topics:

– Improving student awareness about legislative activities and their clinical impact
– Expanding opportunities for students and naturopathic doctors in the realm of advocacy
– Working to increase scope of practice and/or licensure in certain jurisdictions
– Proposed projects may be focused anywhere in North America. Funds may be used for travel if included in the project proposal.

Eligibility criteria:
– Current NMSA member from a CNME-accredited institution
– Ability to continually work on the funded project
– Ability to fulfill the project within 12 months of award
– Ability to serve on the selection committee for next year’s public policy
fellowship applications (January 2024)
– Ability to commit to quarterly updates presented at NMSA board meetings (dates below)
– Ability to provide short written and/or video/photo progress updates to NMSA’s VPs of Social Media and Communications on a quarterly basis

Selection process:
– This award is competitive. A committee of NMSA leaders will select the 2022-2023 Public Policy Fellows from the set of candidates.
– Awards are not renewable or transferable.
– All work products, research, materials, and writings for publication will
become the property of the NMSA with due recognition to the student
fellow.

Projected Timeline:

  • Applications due: November 5th, 2022
  • Fellows announced: November 15th, 2022
  • Orientation to NMSA Fellowship Program: End of November 2022
  • Fellowship Begins: December 1st, 2022
  • 1st quarter update: March 1st, 2022
  • 2nd quarter update: June 1st, 2023
  • 3rd quarter update: September 1st, 2023
  • 4th quarter update: December 1st, 2023
  • Summative Project deadline: December 1st, 2023
  • Includes blog post for NMSA & NCMIC to promote (goals & outcomes)
  • A quote for future promotion of the fellowship
  • *May include a 20-30-minute presentation at NMSA’s annual conference in the summer of 2023 (July 20-22)
  • Fellowship Ends: December 1st, 2023

*NMSA will cover the cost of your ticket to the conference if you choose to present; fellows must cover the cost of travel and accommodations (fellowship funds may be used for this purpose).

This award is made possible through a grant from
National Chiropractor Mutual Insurance Company (NCMIC).