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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Program

GeriScholars Funding 2026

The Alzheimer's Program, a program of the Indian Health Service (IHS) Office of Clinical and Preventive Services (OCPS), Division of Clinical and Community Services (DCCS), invites applications to the 2026 Indian Health Geriatric Scholars (GeriScholars) program.

The Indian Health GeriScholars program was developed with the initial support and collaboration of the Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Rural Health. Consistent with the highly successful VA Geriatric Scholars Program, the Indian Health GeriScholars program builds geriatric expertise in the primary care workforce.

The Indian Health GeriScholars program provides participating IHS, Tribal, and Urban Indian Health clinicians with an individual intensive learning track for professional continuing education, including:

  1. An intensive training in geriatrics from one of the Geriatrics Board Review courses.
  2. A mentored geriatric improvement project at their local facility.
  3. Ongoing education, training, and peer support as an Indian Health Geriatric Scholar.
  4. Opportunities for sponsored travel to attend IHS conferences or other geriatrics-centered training.

In 2026, the Indian Health GeriScholars program will accept up to 20 physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, or pharmacists sponsored by their IHS, Tribal, or Urban Indian Health program. It will reimburse training at one of the following intensive training courses:

Accepted GeriScholars will follow their sponsoring facility's enrollment process for one of the above courses. The IHS Division of Clinical Community Services (DCCS) will reimburse the sponsoring facility for the cost of the training after the training is completed. Please email uw-TRIAD@uw.edu for questions regarding enrollment and travel reimbursement to your facility.

Time and Commitment

In addition to the time allowed for attendance on the selected intensive training course and the time devoted to the local improvement efforts, accepted GeriScholars will be expected to attend the following virtual meetings during the first year:

  • Orientation to the Indian Health GeriScholars Program (1 hour) in September 2026.
  • Orientation to the Improvement Project (1 hour) in October 2026.
  • Two group-coaching calls (1 hour) scheduled during the program.
  • Final project presentation in May 2027.

Eligibility

Primary Care Physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and pharmacists from all IHS, Tribal, and Urban Indian Health Programs are eligible and encouraged to apply.