1. Home
  2. Fellowships
  3. Minority Fellowship Program - Masters
  4. Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – ANA MFP Application

Q: What is the American Nurses Association Minority Fellowship Program (ANA MFP)?

A: Funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) through a training grant, the Minority Fellowship Program provides up to two, three, and five year Fellowships to ethnic and racial minority psychiatric nurses who are pursuing masters and doctoral degrees, including PhD, DNP, BS-to-PhD, doctoral study (PhD, DNP, and BS-to-PhD). The SAMHSA Fellowship only provides funding for individuals pursuing these graduate degrees. SAMHSA does not fund post-masters Psychiatric Mental Health certificate programs.
 

Q: What are the benefits of the Fellowship?

A: The Fellowship offers an annual stipend, individual mentoring, group coaching, statistical and research support, professional development and networking opportunities (including access to a mobile app for ANA MFP community members), training in mental health and substance misuse treatment and prevention, bi-monthly podcasts, and more.
 

Q: How much money does the Fellowship award?

A: The annual stipend amount varies annually and is contingent on Federal allocations to the program. Currently, the maximum annual stipend for doctoral Fellows is $22,000 and $15,000 for masters Fellows, paid directly to the Fellow’s bank account electronically in three installments. For the exact amount to be awarded in any given year, please email us at mfp@ana.org.
 

Q: How many Fellowships are awarded each year?

A: The number of Fellowships awarded each year is determined by the funding provided by SAMHSA.
 

Q: What are the Eligibility Requirements?

A: Applicants must meet the following requirements at the time of application:

  • Be an active member of the American Nurses Association (ANA)
  • Hold an active Registered Nurse (RN) license
  • Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
  • Be enrolled full‑time in an accredited graduate program in behavioral health nursing with a focus on psychiatric mental health and/or substance misuse 
    • Master’s applicants: Must have completed at least nine (9) academic credits in psychiatric mental health or substance use treatment and prevention
    • Doctoral applicants: Must hold a master’s degree or have completed at least nine (9) academic credits in psychiatric mental health or substance use treatment and prevention·      
  • Have no other federal funding commitments for the degree program for which the Fellowship is sought
  • Demonstrate a clear commitment to a career in behavioral health nursing, particularly serving communities with limited access to care.
     

Q: Does the program fund post master’s certificates?
A: No.
 

Q: Is financial need a requirement for eligibility?
A: No.
 

Q: If I receive funding from another source, may I also accept funding from the Fellowship?

A: It depends on the type of funding received.

  • Federal funding:
  • Applicants who receive funding from another federal source are not eligible for the ANA MFP Fellowship. This includes funding from the Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP). Additionally, once you accept the MFP Fellowship, you may not receive funding from any other federal source.
  • Private funding:
    Applicants who receive private (non‑federal) funding may still be considered for the Fellowship. Private funding is reviewed on a case‑by‑case basis by the ANA MFP NAC. Please note that other private funding which includes a post‑graduation service obligation may affect eligibility.
  • Service obligations:
    Any funding source—federal, state, or professional—that requires a service commitment after your academic training may create a conflict with ANA MFP program requirements, impacting eligibility.
     

Q: Do Fellows have to repay the funds awarded?

A: If all program requirements are met, Fellows are not required to repay the funding they receive. However, the ANA could require a Fellow to repay funds if the Fellow:

  • Is dismissed from school for academic or disciplinary reasons
  • Voluntarily ends his or her academic training before graduating from the degree program for which the fellowship was awarded,
  • Upon graduation, does not pursue a career providing direct service and leadership in mental health or substance abuse disorders
     

Q: Does the Fellowship select schools for the applicant?

A: No. However, if an applicant requests our support, ANA MFP NAC members or staff may make recommendations.
 

Q: What is the review and selection process?

A: The application review process is conducted in two phases:

Phase One: Application Review
Each application is reviewed and scored by three members of the ANA Board‑appointed National Advisory Committee (NAC). Reviewers score applications independently based on established criteria. Following individual scoring, NAC members meet to discuss applications in depth and identify top‑ranked candidates for advancement.


Phase Two: Virtual Interview
Applicants selected from Phase One are invited to participate in a virtual interview with the Project Director, Academic Consultant, and selected ANA MFP team and advisory committee members.

Final Fellowship appointments are based on a combination of the following factors:

  • Application and interview scores
  • Demonstrate intent to pursue study and professional work in mental health and substance misuse prevention, treatment, and recovery
  • Certification as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse, or completion of at least nine psychiatric nursing courses with a clear plan to meet certification requirements prior to graduation
  • Demonstrate a clear commitment to a career in behavioral health nursing, particularly in communities with limited access to services.

 

Q: When will I learn whether I have been awarded an ANA MFP Fellowship?

A: Fellowship appointments are announced in alignment with the federal grant cycle, which begins in September. All applicants will receive an email notification informing them of their application status once selections are finalized.
 

Q: I have applied for a doctoral program, but I have not yet been accepted or enrolled. May I apply for the Fellowship?

A: Yes, applicants may submit a Fellowship application while their graduate program enrollment is still pending. However, if you are selected as a Fellow, your appointment will be contingent upon providing proof of full‑time enrollment in an accredited graduate nursing program by the time the Fellowship begins in the fall.
 

Q: What happens after my application for the Fellowship is approved?

A: Your participation in the Fellowship becomes official once you have completed and returned all required award acceptance documents.

After acceptance, the ANA MFP will host an orientation to onboard new Fellows and review program expectations, requirements, and available supports. Fellows receive ongoing guidance and supportive consultation throughout their graduate program and beyond.

In addition, your major faculty advisor at your school or university will be notified of your Fellowship award and invited to partner with the ANA MFP. This collaboration helps ensure you are progressing in your full‑time psychiatric nursing program and meeting all SAMHSA‑required program expectations.
 

Q: How does receiving the Fellowship affect my employment, benefits, or taxes?

A: Receipt of the stipend award does not mean that you are employed by the Federal Government or the American Nurses Association, nor are you eligible for benefits available to Federal or ANA employees.

There may be a tax liability associated with the Fellowship stipend, so Fellows are encouraged to speak with a tax consultant to ensure they are handling the Fellowship award appropriately and meeting all IRS requirements. It is the Fellows responsibility to investigate any tax liabilities. ANA cannot be held responsible if Fellows misrepresent the ANA MFP Fellowship award to the IRS.

Each year, the ANA Finance Department forwards the 1099 form directly to the address on file for the Fellow. Any questions regarding the 1099 form should be directed to the ANA Finance Department, and not the program staff, at 301.628.5000.
 

Q: Can I decline the Fellowship?

A: Yes, you can decline the Fellowship without penalty. You must mail a signed letter declining the Fellowship offer to the ANA MFP team. Once you decline the Fellowship in writing, it will be awarded to another applicant. (Telephone calls are not acceptable).
 

Q: What is the duration of the Fellowship?

A: The Fellowship is awarded for up to two years for masters Fellows, up to three years for DNP students, and up to five years for PhD Fellows. Fellows in the PhD program who do not graduate within five years becomes ineligible to receive financial support, however, the scholar will continue to provide academic and emotional support as an "Unfunded Fellow" until graduation.
 

Q: What is the process for continuation of the Award?

A: Continuation of Fellowship support for current Fellows is contingent upon the following:

  • Availability of federal funding from SAMHSA
  • Ongoing eligibility, including continuous full‑time enrollment in the academic program for which the Fellowship was awarded (Fellows may not repeat coursework)
  • Compliance with all program requirements, including timely submission of required documentation and adherence to MFP procedures for requesting continued support.

Continuation is not guaranteed and is reviewed annually based on these criteria.
 

Q: When does the ANA MFP discontinue support to a Fellow?

A: Funding will be discontinued if any of the following occur:

  • If the Fellow is on a leave of absence, for personal or medical reasons, which has been approved by their school/university
  • If the Fellow is not a full-time student
  • If the Fellow withdraws or is dismissed from their doctoral program
  • In the month the Fellow graduates and receives his or her doctorate
     

Q: Are there opportunities for post-doctoral Fellowships?

A: Post-doctoral fellowships are dependent upon whether SAMHSA funding is available. For information about post-doctoral Fellowships, please contact mfp@ana.org.
 

Q: What is the number of credits required to be considered full–time?

A: Full-time enrollment status is defined by the academic institution in which you are enrolled or plan to matriculate. This status is typically determined by a minimum number of credit hours or a prescribed course load per academic term.
 

Q: Can applicants who are not in nursing programs apply?

A: Though the ANA MFP program is focused on supporting nurses looking to provide direct care across the lifespan, you may want to look into other guilds, particularly those in the fields of psychology, social work, professional counseling, and marriage and family therapy.

The links are as follows:

Q: Can I have my transcript mailed or can I scan and attach it to the applications?

A: Transcripts must be scanned and uploaded with your application.
 

Q: What are the Fellowship program requirements?

A: Fellows are expected to actively participate in all required program activities throughout the year. Fellowship requirements include:

  • Participation in required professional development and training activities
  • Engagement in the structured mentorship program
  • Submission of required progress and outcome reports
  • Attendance at the mandatory three‑day summer Intensive Training Institute (ITI) and participation in scheduled Fireside Chats
  • Completion of additional program deliverables, as required

No separate academic projects or papers are required beyond these expectations, as the Fellowship is designed to complement—rather than add to—your graduate coursework.
 

Q: Who may provide letters of recommendation -- academic colleagues or faculty members?

A: Letters of recommendation must be submitted by faculty members under whom you have studied or worked.