The AOF/DOCARE International Medical Outreach Travel Stipends provide funding to Osteopathic medical students who plan to travel to underserved, underdeveloped or disaster-stricken areas to provide medical services. The goal  is to inspire and empower members of the Osteopathic profession to participate in humanitarian medical outreach trips. 

This program is made possible through a bequest from Julian and Esther Rossnick in honor of Joni B. Rossnick, DO, as well as funds provided by DOCARE International.

In 2023, AOF/DOCARE anticipate providing between 20-30 awards in the amount of $1,500 each.

To qualify, students must plan to travel to an underserved, underdeveloped or disaster-stricken area on an international humanitarian medical outreach trip.  Outreach trips must be overseen by a reputable institution or organization. Preference will be given to applicants with outreach trips that will be overseen by an onsite DO.

ELIGIBILITY
Applicants must be an Osteopathic medical student in good standing at a COCA-Accredited College/School of Osteopathic Medicine (COM/SOM), who has been selected by a licensed entity to participate in an international medical outreach trip to share knowledge and provide Osteopathic medical relief. A limited number of stipends are available to resident Osteopathic physicians. 

Examples of medical relief may include:

• Providing Osteopathic medical services;
• Setting up or expanding healthcare facilities;
• Educating local health care workers on Osteopathic medicine best practices; and
• Building awareness and promoting Osteopathic principles and practice to the people receiving medical care.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
All applicants must submit a completed online application – applicants may apply directly.

• One (1) letter from institution (COM/SOM or Program) representative confirming:
  • For students: the student is in good academic standing 
  • Participation in the trip has been approved by the institution
  • Participation in the trip is consistent with the applicant’s training
  • This trip is not already fully funded; if partially funded through the institution, list the approximate amount of support provided
• One (1) letter, on organizational letterhead, from the practicing physician overseeing the trip confirming:
  • Applicant has been invited to participate 
  • Applicant is attending for the benefit of the community/patients
  • Applicant will be providing direct medical services
• A detailed budget including total estimated costs for the trip and a list of potential and confirmed funding sources (including any financial support received from applicant's institution) 
• Personal statement (no more than 2 pages, double spaced) explaining why this trip is important to you, personally and/or professionally, and what you hope to accomplish
• Current curriculum vitae or resume (include all current memberships, Osteopathic or other)
• Complimentary student membership in the AOA is required if applicant is an Osteopathic medical student 

GENERAL INFORMATION & CONDITIONS

• Stipends are distributed in two installments: $1,000 upon submission of required paperwork, and $500 upon submission of a post-trip report within 30 days of return. Grantees who do not submit a report within 30 days will forfeit the remaining balance of their stipend, and those funds will be reallocated to another student who wishes to travel internationally.
• By submitting a travel stipend request, applicants understand and accept the risk of international travel. Applicants are encouraged to check the U.S. State Department’s Travel Advisory page for information on your destination. Note: the AOF does not fund applications to destinations with a Travel Advisory Level of 4 (Do Not Travel). 
• Requests must be submitted at least 60 days prior to the anticipated travel date.
• Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until available funds have been expended. Applicants will be notified of their application status within 30 calendar days of submission.
• Funds must be used to cover reasonable expenses of the individual participating in the humanitarian trip and may not be used for food, supplies or housing for the people in the affected area.
• The recipient must not be financially compensated in any way for participating in the humanitarian trip.
• The recipient is responsible for obtaining any licenses or approvals necessary to perform medical services in the desired area.
• The recipient must secure and provide proof of medical and evacuation insurance prior to departure.
• If the recipient is not able to participate in or complete the trip specified on the application, funds must be returned to the AOF.
• All recipients are required to submit a post-trip report, including a personal story about the experience, and high-resolution photographs within 30 days of trip completion. Failure to provide a post-trip report will prevent the recipient from receiving future awards from the AOF.
• Information about the recipient and the trip may be published on the AOF’s website, social media, publications, annual reports, press releases, and other news vehicles.
• The AOF reserves the right to limit the number of awards per individual or destination/area and may reject one or more applications for a single initiative. Applicants who are not selected may resubmit a new request for a trip occurring on a different date, if funding is available.