The American Medical Association (AMA) Young Physicians Section (YPS) has several policy promotion grants of $500 each to assist young physicians in activities designed to increase AMA’s visibility and membership among younger physicians. Programs need not be elaborate; however, they should be designed to maximize current AMA activities that impact physicians practice, assist physicians with personal and professional financial issues (i.e., student debt, contracting) or balancing professional life with personal. Types of projects include direct mail programs designed to increase membership, creation and use of listservs to young physicians in your county/state or specialty who you wish to communicate with on an ongoing basis, educational programs on hot topics. A  description of sample programs and ideas is included on this page.

Program Objectives

The objectives of this program are:

• Increasing young physician membership in the AMA;
• Enhancing peer-to-peer communications highlighting AMA activities, programs and products; and
• Creating a local AMA presence.

Based on the objectives set forth in establishing the policy promotion grants, the following types of programs will be considered for funding:

• Direct mail – includes membership recruitment and retention mailings; targeted marketing pieces including brochures, flyers and posters designed for posting in doctor’s lounges, etc.
• Communications – includes establishment of communications vehicles to update colleagues on current and ongoing AMA activities
• Policy promotion – host programs focusing on "hot" topics supported by current AMA policy at local venue or state or specialty society meetings. For example, hold teleconference on HIPAA regulations or hold an on-site education program in your area on contracting or financial management issues. (In some instances, an AMA speaker may be available at no cost.)

To apply for a promotion grant:

1. Develop a proposal for an activity to promote AMA membership and AMA-YPS policy.
2. Complete an application and include program information.
3. Program descriptions should include:

• Program format
• Number of physicians program will reach (i.e. expected number of participants for an activity, projected audience for communications activities, estimated number of pieces printed and distributed)
• Location – if applicable for program
• Goals – please describe what you expect the program to accomplish
• Program evaluation – how you plan to determine the success of your program
• Funding – provide estimated costs and any outside funding sources

Please adhere to the following when submitting an application:

• Completed application, including description of program should be submitted to the AMA’s Young Physicians Section via email (yps@ama-assn.org) or fax (312/464-5845), attention Janice Robertson.
• If an application is missing information, the YPS will contact the applicant. All incomplete applications must be complete within two weeks of notification or they will not be considered.
• Applications must be submitted prior to planned activity. Please indicate on application any deadlines we should be aware of when considering a program.
• Applications will be evaluated by the AMA YPS based on the information contained in the application and how the program meets the objectives of this program.

Funding

Once approved for a grant, you may submit an invoice for the cost of your program, up to $500. If other outside funding is used for the program, AMA-YPS will need to obtain approval through its Corporate Review Team. If your project will require the funding in advance, please contact the AMA-YPS at (312) 464-4749 or yps@ama-assn.org to make the appropriate arrangements.

Sample Programs

Resident or New-in-Practice Membership Program - Develop membership packet of AMA membership benefits. Distribute to new residents or physicians new to practice in your community, at your hospital or in your group. Periodically update benefits for these physicians throughout the year.

Create personalized membership materials  to use to recruit and retain physicians in your practice, hospital, community, state or specialty. Draw upon current AMA Resources. Use these programs, publications and benefits to encourage membership recruitment and retention. Promote YPS publications including Contracts: What You Need to Know, and Preparing a CV. Highlight AMA resources including CPT hotline.

Develop listserv of all young physicians in your community, group practice, hospital, specialists in the state and send electronic communications highlighting AMA activities and benefits on a regular basis.

"Telethon". Plan a phone-a-thon for yourself and/or other physicians to promote AMA membership, encourage young physicians to contact legislators to support local or national policy supporting an AMA position or to maintain regular contact with a number of current or prospective AMA young physician members.

Identify state or national legislation that furthers an AMA policy. Develop program to encourage physicians in your community, practice, hospital, state or specialty to advocate for passage (or defeat) of these legislative activities in support of AMA policy. Program might including telephone, email or letter campaign, testifying before the legislature or other government agency, a day at the Hill to bring the AMA message to the politicians, etc.

Plan a meeting for your local, state or specialty society meetings. Possible formats include a reception to meet your AMA leaders, a luncheon in conjunction with your specialty society YPS – highlight AMA activities or offer a program supporting AMA policy, or sponsor an AMA workshop or education program to be held in conjunction with your specialty society meeting.

Host teleconference for young physicians (regionally or by specialty) that focuses on a young physician "hot" topic (i.e. practice management, contracting, debt management, third-party payor issues).

Hold local program with a speaker to discuss a young physician "hot" topic. Topics can range from socioeconomic issues, debt management, public health balancing career with family, etc. (In some instances an AMA speaker may be available.)

---

To apply for a YPS policy promotion grant, click here.

YPS Policy Promotion Grant Application

AMA Young Physicians Section application for AMA-YPS policy promotion grant.