Clinician Scholars Program

Overview

The Clinician Scholars Program is designed for physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, advanced practice nurses, and pharmacists interested in expanding their capacity to provide HIV/AIDS care in the Midwest. The program aims to increase the number of clinicians who provide care to underserved or disproportionately affected populations.

The Midwest AETC network offers Scholars access to the latest information, resources, and training opportunities on HIV/AIDS, guided by expert faculty. Participants can expect to build skills and knowledge through:

• Mentorship: Experts in HIV/AIDS care guide participants throughout the program.
• Clinical Consultation: Opportunities to consult with local and regional experts experienced in diagnosing and managing HIV/AIDS care.
• Networking Opportunities: Valuable interactions with Midwest AETC faculty, local and regional HIV/AIDS care providers, and fellow Scholars.
• Clinical Interaction: Participants will observe the care of patients with HIV, engage in simulated patient care scenarios, and respond to case presentations.

Activities

Scholars receive twelve months of structured, participant-centered training on HIV/AIDS diagnosis, treatment, medical management and prevention of HIV infection. The program includes:

• A minimum of 12 hours of clinical practicum in HIV care.
• A minimum of 40 hours of skill building training, including but not limited to a two-day immersion institute at the start of the program, monthly collaborative learning sessions, case-based discussions, distance learning offerings, face-to-face meetings or trainings, and clinical consultations.

Benefits

Participation in the Clinician Scholars Program has enabled and strengthened growth in professional confidence and competence in HIV clinical care.

Physician, physician assistant and nurse practitioner Scholars have the advantage of fulfilling the Education requirement to be an eligible candidate to sit for the AAHIVS credentialing exam. More details can be found on the AAHIVM Website.

How to Apply

We are currently accepting applications for the 2026-2027 cohort. The 2026-2027 Clinician Scholars Program will run July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027.

The deadline to submit applications is June 15, 2026.

Applications are open to clinicians currently practicing in the Midwest region (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, and Wisconsin). To submit your application, please follow the steps below:

STEP ONE: Registration in the MATEC system

New users will be asked to register and create a profile in the system. Returning users will be asked to update their Participant Information. Information submitted in the Participant Information Form will be used to determine eligibility for the Scholars program.

CLICK HERE to register!

STEP TWO: Online Application via Survey Monkey. Please note, you will not be able to start and stop the application - you must complete and submit the application in one sitting, which should take about 30 minutes.

Link to application: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2026CSPApplication

STEP THREE: Statement of Workplace Endorsement

Instructions and link to the Workplace Endorsement form are included in the online application.

STEP FOUR (Optional): Letter of Recommendation

Instructions and link to the Letter of Recommendation form are included in the online application.

This is a competitive application process with a limited number of spots in each state. Completion of an application does not guarantee acceptance into the program. Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application no later than July 10, 2026.

The Clinician Scholars Program is supported with federal funding and availability of the program is contingent on continued funding. We commit to notifying applicants at the earliest point possible of any funding changes that may impact this program.

For more information about the MATEC Clinician Scholars Program or questions about the application process, please contact Karen Curd Harris at kcurd@iu.edu.

Publications

Boehler M, Schechtman B, Rivero R, et al. Developing the HIV Workforce: The MATEC Clinician Scholars Program. J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care. 2016;27(3):246-260. doi:10.1016/j.jana.2015.06.006

Carlberg-Racich S, Rivero R, Wagner CMJ, et al. Long-Term Impacts on Clinical Practice Along the HIV Care Continuum: Addressing Workforce Gaps Through a Clinician Scholars Program. AIDS Educ Prev. 2024;36(3):168-181. doi:10.1521/aeap.2024.36.3.168

Carlberg-Racich S, Wagner CMJ, Alabduljabbar SA, et al. Professional Identity Formation in HIV Care: Development of Clinician Scholars in a Longitudinal, Mentored Training Program. J Contin Educ Health Prof. 2018;38(3):158-164. doi:10.1097/CEH.0000000000000214

Wagner CMJ, Carlberg-Racich S, Linsk NL, et al. Impacts of Longitudinal Mentorship to Strengthen the HIV Workforce: Qualitative Evidence of Changes in Clinicians' Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice. J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care. 2017;28(6):938-952. doi:10.1016/j.jana.2017.06.013

 

 

This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $3,822,166 with 0% financed with nongovernmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.