Foundation Connections

Applications are now open for the 2021–2022 Interdisciplinary Minority Fellowship Program (IMFP). The IMFP is funded by a new grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and is open to master’s- and doctoral-level students from a variety of behavioral health disciplines. 

The IMFP is a collaborative effort through the American Psychological Association (APA), the NBCC Foundation, American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), American Nurses Association (ANA), Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), and NAADAC, The Association for Addiction Professionals. The principle aim of the program is directly related to efforts to reduce health disparities among racial/ethnic persons of color in the U.S. by filling a crucial need for behavioral health professionals in psychology, nursing, social work, marriage and family therapy, mental health counseling, and substance use and addictions counseling.

This fellowship program is designed for master’s and doctoral students in psychology, nursing, social work, marriage and family therapy, mental health counseling, and substance use and addictions counseling whose training prepares them for careers in behavioral health services for ethnic and racial minorities who have a mental or co-occurring mental and substance use disorder. 

Application and eligibility requirements for each discipline vary, but all applicants must: 

• be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or noncitizen national. 
• have a strong commitment to a career in racial/ethnic minority behavioral health services. 
• complete a community project during each year of funding. 
• sign a letter of commitment attesting that they will work for a period of two years in a capacity that addresses the behavioral health needs of racial and ethnic minority populations. 

Requirements for mental health counseling IMFP fellowships include: 

Master’s eligibility 

• must not already possess a master’s degree in a behavioral health field 
• be enrolled full-time in a Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)-accredited counseling master’s program 
• commit to becoming board certified by applying for the National Certified Counselor (NCC) certification prior to graduation and to completing the application process 

Doctoral eligibility 

• be enrolled full-time in a Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)-accredited doctoral counseling program 
• be board certified by holding the National Certified Counselor (NCC) credential 

If the applicant is not currently board certified, they must document all of the following: 

• full state license as a professional counselor 
• a passing score on the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) 
• a commitment to apply for the NCC credential and to complete the application within the shortest possible timeframe after notification of the IMFP award

 

Click HERE to view the IMFP description, full eligibly requirements for each discipline, and to apply through the APA application portal.

Additional Notes:

• The application deadline for the 2021 IMFP is April 15, 2021.
• All applications for the IMFP must be submitted through the APA application portal.
• Applicants may apply for more than one MFP fellowship. If accepted to more than one, the applicant must choose one fellowship. 
• For application questions, please email: mfp@apa.org 

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