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IMSA Medical Scholars Grant

Supporting the next generation
of Iraqi physicians.

The IMSA Medical Scholars Grant is an initiative of the Iraqi Medical Sciences Association dedicated to supporting Iraqi medical graduates pursuing residency training in the United States.

Medical graduates and mentors at an IMSA educational gathering

What the grant does

Lower the cost.
Keep the bar.

The grant provides financial assistance to help offset the costs associated with the residency application, while recognizing applicants who demonstrate academic excellence, professional achievement, and a strong commitment to their medical careers.

Through this initiative, IMSA aims to reduce financial barriers and support the next generation of Iraqi physicians as they advance their medical careers in the United States.

Application cycle: The grant takes applications once a year, with the deadline in September. The exact date for each cycle is announced here. Applications are closed for now and reopen with next year’s cycle. Ask about the next cycle.

How it works

Four steps,
once a year.

  1. Check you are eligible

    An Iraqi medical graduate with ECFMG certification, applying for U.S. residency and for this grant for the first time.

  2. Gather your documents

    USMLE score reports, ECFMG certificate, ERAS CV, personal statement and a short statement.

  3. Email them as PDF

    Send everything to IMSAGrant@gmail.com by the September deadline announced for the cycle.

  4. The committee and board vote

    Applications are reviewed on merit, and recipients are chosen by vote.

Eligibility requirements

Who can apply.

Applicants must meet every one of these criteria.

Preference will be given to applicants who do not require visa sponsorship. However, applicants requiring visa sponsorship are also encouraged to apply, provided they have their own valid U.S. bank account and U.S. mailing address.

Iraqi nationality
Applicants must be Iraqi medical graduates.
ECFMG certification
Applicants must hold valid ECFMG certification at the time of application.
First-time residency applicants
Applicants must be applying for U.S. residency for the first time.
First-time grant applicants
Applicants must not have previously applied for the IMSA Medical Scholars Grant.
U.S. banking and mailing information
Applicants must have their own valid U.S. bank account and U.S. mailing address.

Required application documents

What to send.

USMLE scores
Copies of USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK score reports.
ECFMG certificate
A copy of a valid ECFMG certificate.
ERAS CV
A current ERAS curriculum vitae.
Personal statement
A copy of your residency application personal statement.
Short statement
A brief statement covering the four points below.
  • The specialty you are applying to.
  • The total number of residency programs you intend to apply to.
  • Confirmation that this is your first time applying for U.S. residency and for the IMSA Medical Scholars Grant.
  • Your reasons for applying for the grant, and how financial assistance would support your residency application.

Selection process

Chosen on merit,
by vote.

The IMSA Medical Scholars Grant follows a competitive, merit-based selection process. Applications are evaluated on the overall strength and competitiveness of each applicant’s credentials, including:

  1. USMLE performance and academic achievements.
  2. Clinical experience and professional accomplishments.
  3. Strength of the ERAS CV and personal statement.
  4. Overall competitiveness for residency training in the United States.
  5. The applicant’s motivation for applying for the grant.

Final selection is determined through a voting process involving the IMSA Medical Scholars Grant Selection Committee and IMSA Board members.

The selection process is intended to ensure fairness, transparency, and consistent evaluation of eligible applicants.

IMSA Medical Scholars Grant Committee

The people who review.

The committee is responsible for reviewing applications, evaluating candidates, and participating in the selection of grant recipients.

  • Committee Chair

    Mohanad Hamandi, MD

    Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota

  • Committee Member

    Omar Saab, MD

    University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona

  • Committee Member

    Haya Alany, MD

    Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, Arizona

  • Committee Member

    Zaid Alkaissy, MD

    HonorHealth, Scottsdale, Arizona

  • Committee Member

    Saef Izzy, MD

    Mass General Brigham, Massachusetts

Previous IMSA Medical Scholars

Our scholars.

The grant recognizes Iraqi medical graduates who have demonstrated academic excellence and successfully pursued residency training in the United States.

2025

  • Rami Al-Khaffaf, MD

    Internal MedicineHenry Ford St. John Hospital, Michigan

  • Sajjad K. Naseem, MD

    Internal MedicineIndiana University Ball Memorial Hospital, Indiana

2024

  • Jumana Baldawi, MD

    Internal MedicineTexas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, Texas

  • Mohammed Abed, MD, MPH

    Internal MedicineSt. Anthony’s Hospital, Florida

  • Hassan Alshaker, MD

    Internal MedicineAllegheny General Hospital, Pennsylvania

Support the IMSA Medical Scholars Grant

Help the next
applicant through.

The IMSA Medical Scholars Grant is made possible through the generosity of individuals and organizations committed to supporting Iraqi medical graduates.

Contributions help reduce the financial burden of residency applications and create opportunities for deserving future physicians. By supporting this initiative, donors contribute directly to the professional development of Iraqi physicians pursuing medical training in the United States.

For applications, inquiries and to support the grant, write to IMSAGrant@gmail.com.

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A shared heritage.
A future together.

Wherever you are in your medical journey, there’s a place for you at IMSA.

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