Volunteer grant

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Volunteer Grant Program assists with the expenses for one or two Academy members who volunteer to teach for three to six months or more at the Regional Dermatology Training Center (RDTC) in Moshi, Tanzania, or another approved educational program in a developing country.

Grants might vary in amount from $2,500 to $10,000 annually depending on proposed expenses, number of applicants and other factors. The grant is intended to assist with expenses and might not necessarily cover all potential expenses for the volunteer period.

Applicants must be physician members of the Academy or have completed residency training and have submitted all documentation to become a member prior to the proposed start date. International members are eligible; however, their volunteer work must be conducted outside their country of residence. When considering multiple candidates, the committee will give preference to individuals who are considering a minimum commitment of three months.

In addition to the application, you are required to submit:

An abbreviated curriculum vitae (no more than five pages; include only those publications relevant to this project).
A proposed budget.
A letter from the person who will be your supervisor in your volunteer position stating the dates you will serve, his/her support for your proposed project, and its importance to the institution.
Two letters of support (if you are less than five years out of residency training; one letter must be from your residency program director) describing your ability to take initiative and work independently.

Deadline

Scholarships are not being offered in 2011 and 2012. Please contact International Affairs Specialist Coura Badiane for more information at cbadiane@aad.org.

If you receive a grant, you will be required to provide proof of medical evacuation protection (can be purchased for $215 through the Academy's MedJet Assist program) and sign a statement releasing the American Academy of Dermatology from liability.

Fifty percent of the grant amount will be paid upon confirmation from you and the program director at the institution where you will be volunteering that your visa has been secured and that the arrangements have been made. You will receive 40 percent of the grant about halfway through your service, and the last 10 percent will be paid upon receipt of the completed documents/articles about your service.

Upon completion of your service, you will be required to document your expenses so that the grant can qualify as a reimbursement for expenses and is not taxable income. An individual who does not complete the program will be required to reimburse the AAD for all prepaid expenses.

Upon completion of your volunteer activity, you will be required to conduct the following activities:

Submit a report to the Education and Volunteers Abroad Committee about your activities and accomplishments.
Submit details about the expenses incurred.
Write an article about your experience for publication in Dermatology World.
Obtain a letter from your on-site supervisor providing an evaluation of your work while there and the value of the program for his or her institution.
Summarize your work at the Forum on Volunteerism at the next AAD Annual Meeting (time limit
of 15 minutes).

Online applications are now being accepted. Please send supporting materials to:

Coura Badiane, international affairs specialist
American Academy of Dermatology
930 E. Woodfield Rd., Schaumburg, IL 60173
Phone: (847) 330-1241
Fax: (847) 240-1920
Email: cbadiane@aad.org