AHIMA Foundation Doctoral Grant Program FAQs & Application

AHIMA Foundation aims to advance its research agenda by offering financial support to AHIMA members who are conducting research for their program’s final deliverable. Final deliverables can include dissertations, a thesis, capstone projects, etc. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How much grant funding is available? 

Doctoral grants are available for up to $10,000 per recipient. Award amounts will be determined by a review committee and will be determined based on the project budget.    

How many grants will be awarded? 

The number awarded each year varies. For example:

• In 2021, AHIMA Foundation awarded $65,000 to 28 students for the 2021–2022 academic year.
• In 2022, AHIMA Foundation awarded $81,000 to 15 students for the 2022-2023 academic year.

If I am not a member of AHIMA but am enrolled in a doctoral degree program at a CHEA-recognized accrediting organization, can I still apply? 

No. All applicants must be active or student members of AHIMA.

• To apply for AHIMA membership, visit www.ahima.org/membership for more information. After submitting your membership application and fee, and upon receiving your membership identification number, you are then eligible to apply for a scholarship.
• If you are a veteran or the spouse of a veteran, the Walter Reed Society will sponsor the cost of your AHIMA student membership. Email info@ahimafoundation.org for more information about this new opportunity! 

What kind of proposals meet the AHIMA Foundation Doctoral Grant Program criteria? 

We are seeking proposals that:   

• Align with and advance AHIMA Foundation’s Research Agenda which is rooted in Healthy People 2030 goals. Sample projects could include access to health services, access to health insurance, access to quality education, access to community resources, access to quality health education and community health resources, etc. 
• Demonstrate the role of HI professionals/AHIMA members in advancing health equity and/or health literacy

Doctoral Grant Application Details

Your doctoral grant application should include the following information in the following order and in PDF format: 

Title page

1. Include your name, AHIMA member ID, organization, contact information, and dissertation title.

Essay questions and budget template 

• Briefly describe your interest in health information/informatics and why you chose your dissertation project. Once completed, what do you hope to do with your research or findings? (max 1,000 characters)  

• Describe how your dissertation project aligns with and advances AHIMA Foundation’s Research Agenda. (max 1,000 characters)  

• Explain how your project demonstrates the role of HI professionals/AHIMA members in advancing health equity and/or health literacy. (max 1,000 characters)  

• Using the provided budget template, specify how these grant funds will be utilized. This will be used for AHIMA Foundation reporting purposes. 

Your CV 

• Include your volunteer history and history with AHIMA or state-level HIMA.

A letter written by your school confirming the following:  

• That you are a doctoral candidate in good standing 
• That your proposal has been successfully defended/accepted by the institution 

Doctoral Grant Application Process  

Step 1. 

Email your complete application to info@AHIMAfoundaiton.org, with the Subject: Application: AHIMA Foundation Doctoral Grant Program.

Step 2.

Ensure your application contains two PDF documents with the files labeled accordingly:  

• Application PDF: This document will contain all application materials and be titled LAST NAME_FIRST NAME_ 2023_AHIMA_Foundation_Doctoral_Grant_Application 

• Proposal PDF: This should be a copy of your full dissertation proposal. This document should be titled LAST NAME_FIRST NAME_2023_AHIMA_Foundation_Doctoral_Grant_Disseration_Proposal  

Step 3.

Take a deep breath; you will receive an email confirmation within 2 business days confirming that your application has been received.  

Review Process

Applications will be reviewed and evaluated by a committee of AHIMA members using the following rubric: AHIMA Foundation Doctoral Grant Program Rubric for Reviewers 

Award Acceptance

If you are awarded a doctoral grant and accept the award money, you are required to work with AHIMA Foundation staff to disseminate your research findings through publications and presentations (i.e., in peer-reviewed journals and venues related to the HIM profession such as Perspectives, AHIMA Global Conference, etc.).

In addition, you will be asked to consent to the communication and marketing of your research via AHIMA Foundation media channels, as applicable and determined by AHIMA Foundation staff. However, it is recognized that you and the Foundation staff may need to work within the parameters of your University requirements.    

Award Distribution

Awards will be distributed directly to each recipient. If you are awarded a doctoral grant, you will need to submit an ACH form and a W9 to the Foundation. Payment cannot be issued until these documents are received, and the Foundation will provide you with templates for these documents.