Global Health Program - How to Apply

Program Requirements and Application Process

Residents interested in participating in the Global Health Program must meet the following eligibility requirements:
• Be in good standing within their residency program.
• Obtain documented approval from their Residency Program Director.
• Maintain valid medical and travel insurance.
• Hold a valid passport.
• For certain electives, be at the PGY-2 level or higher and, if traveling without Kaiser Permanente staff physicians, possess a valid California medical license.
• Present their international clinical elective experience to their residency program upon completion of the rotation.
• Have a designated supervising physician at the host elective site.

To apply, residents must complete the online application and submit the following required documents:

• • Complete the Release and Hold Harmless Form(pdf)
  • Complete the KP Global Health Code of Conduct(pdf)
  • Complete the Towards Best Practices in the Global Health Institute (pdf)

Funding Opportunities

Residents participating in the Kaiser Permanente Southern California Global Health Program are responsible for the costs associated with their international elective, including travel, lodging, and other related expenses. Participants are encouraged to explore and apply for external scholarships, grants, and other funding opportunities to help support their global health experiences.

For the current funding cycle, the Global Health Program will award ten (10) Global Health Stipends of $1,000 each to support international clinical electives completed between July 1, 2026, and June 13, 2027.

Applications will be accepted from July 1, 2026, through May 31, 2027, with stipend recipients announced by June 18, 2027.

Stipend Selection
Stipend recipients will be selected through a competitive application process. Applications are evaluated based on the overall quality and merit of the proposed global health experience, the applicant’s written responses, demonstrated commitment to global health, and any current or anticipated scholarships, grants, or other financial support related to the elective. Particular emphasis is placed on the essay responses, which should clearly describe the educational value of the experience and its anticipated impact on the applicant’s professional development.

Stipend Requirements
Stipend funds will be awarded only after all program requirements have been successfully completed during the applicable academic year. Recipients must:

• Complete the international elective described in their application between July 1, 2026, and June 13, 2027.
• Deliver a presentation during a residency didactic session summarizing their clinical, educational, and cultural experiences following completion of the elective.
• Submit itemized travel receipts documenting eligible expenses totaling up to $1,000 to Jamie Elliott for reimbursement.

If a selected applicant does not fulfill all program requirements within the designated academic year, the stipend may be forfeited and awarded to an alternate applicant.

Good luck!