Hello All,
Please see below for an update from the AAMC regarding the Summer Health Professions Education Program's.
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Dear Colleagues,
As we launch the application for the Summer Health Professions Education Program's (SHPEP) 2026 cohort, we wanted to share important information about the future of the program.
SHPEP's founding partner and core funder, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), is shifting their strategy to focus more on dismantling structural racism in the health sector at the institutional level. Therefore, RWJF has made the decision to end its funding of SHPEP after the completion of our 2026 cohort. With this broader approach, RWJF seeks to invest in changing systems that often perpetuate inequities and exclusionary policies and practices in health education and training. Their decision is not a reflection on our program's performance. RWJF remains committed to making health systems more diverse, equitable, and inclusive.
While we are disappointed that the funding will end, we are incredibly grateful for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's multi-decade commitment to our work. Since 1989, their investments have helped our program serve more than 32,000 students, 78% of whom went on to earn advanced degrees. Over that time, we have produced over 9,000 physicians and 2,000 dentists, making our health systems stronger, more diverse, and more inclusive.
This change will not affect students applying for the 2026 summer cohort. Prospective scholars applying to our 2026 cohort can look forward to the same enriching experience - including academic enrichment, professional development, and community building - that SHPEP is known for.
To celebrate our many years of success, we are hoping to make the 2026 cohort the biggest and most successful cycle yet. If someone you know has been thinking about applying, this is the cycle to do so! Help us extend this opportunity to as many college students as possible.
We invite you to share this opportunity far and wide and encourage the future health professionals in your network to apply by Feb. 5, 2026.
The American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) and the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) are continuing to explore what the future of collaborative health professions pathway programming could look like beyond 2026 and how we can continue SHPEP's mission in new ways. We will share more information in the coming year.
To read our full statement or FAQs about this announcement, please visit www.shpep.org.
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Mollie Mills
Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry
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