FLIGHT Grant to support rural health leaders
Submitted by Dr Pratyush Kumar (India)
Chair, WONCA Working Party on Rural Practice
Rural WONCA has announced the launch of the Rural WONCA Fund for Leadership, Innovation, Global Health, and Travel (FLIGHT) Grant.
The programme supports medical students and young family doctors with a demonstrated commitment to rural health to undertake experiential learning in a rural clinical setting and critically evaluate a rural health service model.
Funding and conference opportunities
Two candidates will receive USD $1,000 each to support travel and accommodation, along with complimentary registration for one of the following:
- 21st WONCA World Rural Health Conference (10 – 13 April 2026, Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand)
- Global Rural Health Summit (to be announced, 2027)
Funding will be disbursed following placement approval and acceptance of the final written report.
Eligibility criteria
Applicants must be:
- A WONCA Young Doctor, in family medicine training or within the first five years of independent practice; or
- A medical student with a demonstrable commitment to rural health.
Recipient requirements
Recipients are required to complete up to a five-day rural placement at a pre-approved site immediately prior to the conference.
They must submit a comprehensive written report including:
- Description of the rural health model
- Critical review, including strengths and limitations
- Policy analysis and implications
- Recommendations for adaptation or scale-up
Recipients must also deliver an oral or poster presentation at the coinciding Rural WONCA Conference or Global Rural Health Summit.
How to apply
Application deadline: 28 February 2026
Apply here
Conference website: www.ruralwonca2026.com
For queries regarding the application process, please contact Dr Pratyush Kumar at pratyush410@yahoo.co.in.
Please share this opportunity with eligible medical students and young doctors in your network.