Vanguard Resident Fellowship
Vanguard Resident Fellowship supports psychiatry residents’ capstone projects and leadership development to improve mental health and substance use disorder prevention, treatment, and care outcomes.
Funder: American Psychiatric Association
Due Dates: March 15, 2027 (Application) | March 16, 2026 (2026–2027 cycle)
Funding Amounts: $12,500 capstone stipend; one-year fellowship, October 1, 2027–September 30, 2028; 45 awards
Summary: Supports psychiatry residents’ capstone projects and leadership development to improve mental health and substance use disorder services.
Key Information: Applicants must remain in training throughout the fellowship and be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or noncitizen nationals.
Description
The American Psychiatric Association’s Vanguard Resident Fellowship is part of the SAMHSA Minority Fellowship Program, in which APA has participated since 1973. It supports psychiatry residents in improving mental health and substance use disorder prevention, treatment, and care outcomes, particularly for populations experiencing higher prevalence of behavioral health challenges. The program aims to strengthen the psychiatric workforce in teaching, service administration, research, and direct care.
Fellows develop and implement innovative capstone projects with their residency training programs, conducting research or directly benefiting a chosen population. The year-long fellowship combines virtual professional development, mentorship, leadership training, APA governance service, and in-person events. Fellows also have opportunities to present capstone work at the APA Annual Meeting and build lasting professional connections.
