The ID Spark, Train, Educate and Prepare (ID STEP) program provides funding for undergraduate medical schools to elevate exposure to the exciting field of ID. Selected institutions receive funding to offer a series of activities and opportunities for medical students to learn about ID as an exciting career option, gain information on the variety of subspecialties within ID, receive career advice through mentorship, and engage in experiential ID learning opportunities. The program also provides resources and support to medical faculty teaching ID topics.
The shortage of infectious disease (ID) doctors in the U.S. is critical, a reality starkly highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021. At that time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that nearly 80% of the U.S. counties most severely impacted by the pandemic either lacked ID specialists or had insufficient numbers of ID-trained physicians to meet residents' needs. ID STEP is designed to address this crisis by recruiting, mentoring, and expanding the ID workforce. The program aims to build a diverse and inclusive pipeline that reflects the communities it serves, including rural and historically underserved populations. Through evidence-based recruitment strategies and mentorship, ID STEP seeks to strengthen the ID workforce and enhance health outcomes for all communities.
This funding opportunity seeks to fund 3-5 medical schools to participate in this pilot year. The goal of the program is to 1) increase interest in ID as a career choice among participating medical students; and 2) increase knowledge and skills among program faculty to effectively teach ID topics. ID STEP is open to accredited medical schools within the United States and its territories including schools with a large population of students underrepresented in medicine, including those who have been adversely impacted by life experiences such as racial or other forms of discrimination, socioeconomic status (low-income or low-income housing background, first-or second-generation higher education student, medically uninsured or underinsured, currently or historically underserved environment) or similar circumstances.
Each medical school selected to participate in the ID STEP program will receive:
- a program grant of up to $30,000 to support campus-based implementation of ID STEP activities;
- an Implementation Toolkit containing an overview, step-by-step instructions and resources for implementing ID STEP activities;
- IDSA technical assistance and guidance to programs throughout the duration of the grant period;
- an invitation to participate in an online community aimed at connecting ID STEP partners;
- program evaluation support.
FULL RFA LINKED HERE: ID STEP RFA DOCUMENT
2025 ID STEP
The ID Spark, Train, Educate and Prepare (ID STEP) program provides funding for undergraduate medical schools to elevate exposure to the exciting field of ID. Selected institutions receive funding to offer a series of activities and opportunities for medical students to learn about ID as an exciting career option, gain information on the variety of subspecialties within ID, receive career advice through mentorship, and engage in experiential ID learning opportunities. The program also provides resources and support to medical faculty teaching ID topics.
The shortage of infectious disease (ID) doctors in the U.S. is critical, a reality starkly highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021. At that time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that nearly 80% of the U.S. counties most severely impacted by the pandemic either lacked ID specialists or had insufficient numbers of ID-trained physicians to meet residents' needs. ID STEP is designed to address this crisis by recruiting, mentoring, and expanding the ID workforce. The program aims to build a diverse and inclusive pipeline that reflects the communities it serves, including rural and historically underserved populations. Through evidence-based recruitment strategies and mentorship, ID STEP seeks to strengthen the ID workforce and enhance health outcomes for all communities.
This funding opportunity seeks to fund 3-5 medical schools to participate in this pilot year. The goal of the program is to 1) increase interest in ID as a career choice among participating medical students; and 2) increase knowledge and skills among program faculty to effectively teach ID topics. ID STEP is open to accredited medical schools within the United States and its territories including schools with a large population of students underrepresented in medicine, including those who have been adversely impacted by life experiences such as racial or other forms of discrimination, socioeconomic status (low-income or low-income housing background, first-or second-generation higher education student, medically uninsured or underinsured, currently or historically underserved environment) or similar circumstances.
Each medical school selected to participate in the ID STEP program will receive:
- a program grant of up to $30,000 to support campus-based implementation of ID STEP activities;
- an Implementation Toolkit containing an overview, step-by-step instructions and resources for implementing ID STEP activities;
- IDSA technical assistance and guidance to programs throughout the duration of the grant period;
- an invitation to participate in an online community aimed at connecting ID STEP partners;
- program evaluation support.
FULL RFA LINKED HERE: ID STEP RFA DOCUMENT