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2026 DREAM - Driving Recruitment through Education and Mentoring Program

The American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) Driving Recruitment through Education and Mentoring Program (DREAM) is a 10-week summer program designed to inspire the training of the next generation of medical physicists by reducing barriers and promoting excellence through research opportunities. DREAM is a dynamic mentorship program dedicated to empowering fellows and fostering professional growth in their pathway toward the Medical Physics field. Through personalized guidance and a supportive network, DREAM aims to inspire fellows to reach their full potential and pursue a graduate degree in Medical Physics. DREAM fellows are selected on a competitive basis. The selected fellows choose a mentorship opportunity from a list of mentors/institutions in the U.S. and Canada which are consistent with their research and career interests. This fellowship includes a $6,000 stipend to assist with living expenses for the 10 weeks (May to September), assuming that the student and mentor have agreed upon expectations of the fellowship project itself. The dates are to be mutually suitable to the mentor and fellow. Selected undergraduate fellows may not participate in summer school or external courses or be employed in any other manner during the 10-week program. Selected fellows have the opportunity to attend the 2026 AAPM Annual Meeting in Vancouver, Canada (complimentary registration and $500 towards travel expenses.)

More information about What is Medical Physics?

Sponsored by the AAPM Professional Council through the AAPM Education & Research Fund.

Student Eligibility

  1. Each student applicant shall have completed at least 2 years of their undergraduate studies, but shall not have graduated. Students with a graduation date of Spring 2026 are not eligible.
  2. Applicants shall have declared a major or be eligible to declare a major in physics, engineering, or other science, which requires mathematics at least through differential equations, modern physics/quantum mechanics, electricity and magnetism or equivalent courses in engineering sciences.
  3. DREAM Fellowships are restricted to U.S. citizens, Canadian citizens and Permanent residents of the U.S.; DACA students are welcome to apply.
  4. Prior fellowship recipients not eligible.

Fellowship Program Application Requirements:

  • Application Deadline: All applications must be finalized and submitted by February 9, 2026 (11:59 PM EST).
  • Required Fields: All fields marked with a red asterisk must be completed, including document uploads.
  • Required Documents:
    • Personal Statement (PDF only, approximately one page)
      Please describe your interest in the AAPM DREAM Fellowship Program. Be sure to include:
      • Your interest in the field of medical physics.
      • Your experiences, attributes, and the challenges you’ve overcome through your journey in the STEM fields.
      • What you hope to gain from the fellowship.
      • The impact this fellowship would have on your professional goals.
    • Transcripts
      • An unofficial transcript is required at the time of application (a second transcript may be uploaded, if applicable).
      • Finalists will be required to submit an official transcript within two weeks of notification.
    • Curriculum Vitae (CV)
      • Use the required [CV template].
      • Upload your completed CV as a PDF file.
  • Letters of Recommendation
    • The recommendation letter request may be submitted before your application is complete. We encourage you to finish this section as early as possible to give your recommender ample time to respond.
    • You will need to provide the name and email address of your recommender.
    • Once submitted, the system will automatically email your recommender with instructions. (Please advise them to check for an email from noreply@secure-platform.com, which may be directed to their spam/junk folder.)>
    • You will be able to view uploaded letters.
  • Proof of Health Insurance: Proof of health insurance will be required after fellowship selection is confirmed.
  • You will be asked to confirm you have read these Fellowship Requirements.(link to updated doc)

Student Application Deadline: February 9, 2026 (11:59 PM ET)
Decision Notices Sent By: by March 30, 2026

Deadline has passed

 

Mentor Eligibility

Each selected fellow will have a mentor employed by a university, a research facility, a hospital or clinical facility, or a radiological industry within the United States or Canada. Mentors must be a faculty medical physicist in a university environment, a person working in a medical physics related field, or a qualified medical physicist. Each mentor must be a full member of AAPM. Attestation of Employer support and Indemnification is an application requirement. More information on Mentor Requirements and Guidelines.

In the application, the mentor will specify a period of 10 weeks during the summer academic period (May to September), during which the mentor will be responsible for the supervision of the undergraduate student fellow.

Mentor Application Deadline: February 9, 2026 (11:59 PM ET)


Deadline has passed