Purpose
The Advocates for the AOA (AAOA), in partnership with the American Osteopathic Foundation (AOF), created the Holiday Hug Grant in 2020 to help medical students or residents with year-end expenses.   Expenses relating to residency programs and/or medical school can be particularly challenging around year-end holidays. Recognizing this, the AAOA have created a fund, managed by the AOF, to aid those in need of financial support.  

Award

Up to three (3) grants of $500 each will be given annually to help defray year-end and/or personal expenses. 

Eligibility

• Applicants must be one of the following, with a current AAOA membership in good standing:
  • Osteopathic medical student or resident
  • Spouse of a medical school student or resident

Application Requirements

• A completed application
• A brief statement (no more than 150 words each) in response to each of the following:
  1. Please provide a brief intro about you and your family.
  2. How do you plan to use the grant funding?
• Medical student's CV/resume
• Proof of current AAOA membership

Application portal opens Tuesday, September 2 and closes Monday, October 6, 2025. Incomplete applications will NOT be reviewed. Recipients will be notified by AOF via email by November 30, 2025. Funds will be distributed by AOF upon completion of the grantee’s required paperwork. 

Click here to access the application portal.