Medical Student Education Program (MSE)

The Medical Student Education Program is administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration within the Bureau of Health Workforce, a federal agency under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The program is designed to address the growing national shortage of primary care physicians, particularly in rural, Tribal, and other underserved areas. The initiative reflects federal priorities to strengthen the primary care workforce pipeline by supporting public medical schools located in states experiencing the highest projected shortages of primary care providers. The primary purpose of the program is to expand or enhance medical student education at eligible public medical schools to encourage more graduates to pursue careers in primary care. The program emphasizes training in underserved areas and aims to influence long-term workforce distribution by preparing students for residencies and eventual practice in shortage areas. Funding supports both direct student assistance and institutional capacity building, including curriculum development, infrastructure improvements, and partnerships with community-based clinical training sites. Grant funds may be used for a range of allowable activities including scholarships, academic and social support services for students, development of nutrition and chronic disease curricula, and the establishment of clinical rotations in community-based primary care settings. Funds may also support infrastructure such as equipment, minor renovations, and training partnerships. However, all expenditures must comply with federal regulations and cannot be used for unallowable activities outlined by the agency. Indirect costs are capped at eight percent of modified total direct costs for training programs. Eligibility is limited to accredited public medical schools located in specific states identified as having the highest projected shortages of primary care physicians. Applicants must not currently hold an active award under this program and must provide documentation of accreditation status. Trainees supported under the program must meet federal eligibility requirements such as citizenship or qualified residency status. The program also requires a matching contribution of at least one percent and no more than ten percent of the federal award amount, which may be met through cash or in-kind contributions. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov and include a comprehensive project narrative, budget and budget justification, accreditation documentation, organizational charts, staffing plans, and supporting attachments. The application process requires adherence to strict formatting and submission guidelines, including a sixty-page limit for the narrative. Evaluation is conducted through a merit-based review process with criteria including need, response, performance management, impact, organizational capacity, and budget justification. Key dates for the program include an application deadline of September 1, 2026, with awards expected by November 2, 2026, and a project start date of December 1, 2026. The period of performance spans four years and seven months. Applicants must be prepared to meet ongoing reporting requirements, including annual performance reports and participation in federally designed evaluations. Agency contacts are available for programmatic and financial inquiries, and applicants are encouraged to engage with available technical assistance resources during the application process.

Align project clearly with primary care workforce shortages and demonstrate measurable outcomes with strong partnerships and data reporting plans