Song-Brown Certified Nurse Midwifery (CNM) Training Programs 2026 Application
🏛 Department of Health Care Access and Information (California)
✓ Free, no account · Source: California Grants Portal · Last verified Sep 13, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for current PhD, DrPH, MD-PhD, or other doctoral-level students conducting research at non-profit California academic institutions.
Applicants must be in good academic standing and have identified a specific research project and mentor(s). Research must take place in California and use a precision medicine framework to reduce health disparities.
Projects must prioritize recruiting, enrolling, and retaining participants from underrepresented populations. Applicants cannot lead independent clinical trials but can participate in mentor-led trials.
Approximately 15 doctoral students will receive around $155,000 each (up to $62,000/year over 2.5 years) to support their research, including stipend, tuition, fees, and professional development costs.
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Program description
This grant opportunity will result in funding organizations to train certified nurse midwifery students to work in underserved communities. Such strategies shall incorporate the following elements: 1. Establishing procedures to identify, recruit, and admit certified nurse midwifery students who possess characteristics which would suggest a predisposition to practice in areas of unmet need, and who express a commitment to serve in areas of unmet need. 2. Implementing counseling and placement programs to encourage training program graduates to enter practice in areas of unmet need. 3. Providing a preceptorship experience in an area of unmet need to enhance the potential of training program graduates to practice in such an area.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Application form or cover letter
- Research proposal or project description
- Mentor letter of support
- Curriculum vitae (CV)
- Budget and budget justification
- Evidence of good academic standing (transcript or letter from institution)
Program contact
- 📧 SongBrown@hcai.ca.gov
- 📞 1-916-326-3700
Funding track record
Past applications & awards under this program (California Grants Portal) — how competitive it is.
By fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Applications | Awarded | Award rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-2026 | 13 | 8 | 62% |
Source: California Grants Portal
FAQ
Who can apply?
Current doctoral students (PhD, DrPH, MD-PhD, or equivalent) in good academic standing at non-profit California academic institutions. You must have an identified mentor(s) supervising your research.
What types of research are supported?
Precision medicine research that uses inclusive frameworks, incorporates underrepresented populations, and reduces health disparities. Research must include promotional materials encouraging participation from underrepresented groups.
Can I lead my own clinical trial?
No. You can participate in research within a mentor-led clinical trial, but cannot be the independent trial lead.
What does the award cover?
Up to $62,000/year for stipend ($40,000 max), tuition/fees/allowance ($18,000 max), and research/professional development ($4,000 max) over 2.5 years.
When is the deadline and can I reapply if rejected?
The deadline is January 30, 2026. Reapplication eligibility after rejection is not specified in program materials.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Start by identifying your mentor(s) early. Strong mentorship is critical to a competitive application.
- Design your research to explicitly include underrepresented populations. Show how you'll recruit, enroll, and retain these participants.
- Address precision medicine and health disparities directly. Explain how your project uses data and clinical approaches to personalize care for diverse populations.
- Plan your promotional materials. Budget time to develop materials that encourage underrepresented groups to participate in your research.
- Connect your project to social determinants of health or community engagement. These strengthen your application's impact on health equity.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications often lack clear recruitment and retention strategies for underrepresented populations. Be specific about how you'll reach and support these participants. Projects that don't explicitly frame their work as precision medicine or fail to address health disparities rarely succeed. Avoid proposing independent clinical trial leadership; focus on research experience within an existing trial.
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