Diversity & Inclusion Scholarships

We at AABC recognize the importance of diversity in birth center providers and the need for birth centers that are inclusive and provide care with cultural humility. Our goal is for AABC conferences and the member community to include, encourage, and recognize people of all races, ethnicities, genders, ages, abilities, religions, and sexual orientation.

This year, our in-person AABC How to Start a Birth Center Workshop, will be held immediately in advance of the AABC Birth Institute in Tucson, Arizona. Applicants can apply for one or both educational opportunities. We plan to award at least 12 scholarships to our in person events in 2023. If you can’t make it in person this year, check out our D&I scholarships for online courses.

Deadline to Apply: JULY 17, 2023

Scholarship Criteria

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Birth center provider, owner, staff, student, or otherwise demonstrate involvement in the birth center community

  • Identify as a Member of the Global Majority*, LGBTQIA+, or person with a disability

  • Special consideration will be given to applicants attending an AABC conference for the first time

Each scholarship will include:

  • Registration fee for the Birth Institute, HSBC Workshop, or both

  • $750 travel stipend

  • Support from AABC staff as needed

Expectations of scholarship recipients:

  • Attend the entire conference(s) for which the scholarship has been awarded

  • We do not expect scholarship recipients to be responsible for being an ambassador for their group or an educator to others. While learning and exchange may happen as a result of interactions between conference participants, scholarship recipients are encouraged to focus on getting the most out of their Birth Institute experience and have no special duties or obligations apart from attendance, participation to their comfort, and giving us feedback on their experience.


* The Global Majority includes Asian American (or of Asian descent) or Pacific Islander, Black or of African descent (African American, Afro-Caribbean, etc.), Indigenous to Americas (Alaskan Native, American Indian, Native American), Latinx or Hispanic, Southwest Asian or Northern African, or a person who is of multiple races)

How to Apply

The scholarship application includes the following short answer questions:

  • Please tell us more about your role in a birth center or birth center community? (150 word limit)

  • How are you involved (or plan to be) with AABC? (150 word limit)

  • How would attending the AABC Birth Institute benefit you? What are you most looking forward to? (300 word limit)

  • As an organization, AABC is striving to improve diversity, equity and inclusion. Tell us how a scholarship to attend the Birth Institute or HSBC Workshop may help improve diversity, equity and inclusion in your birth center or community. (300 word limit)

    Deadline to Apply: JULY 15, 2023

What makes a strong application?

Want to maximize your chances of being awarded a Diversity & Inclusion Scholarship?  Read our tips and pointers below.

  • The open-ended questions on the application have a maximum word limit ranging from 150-300 words, depending on the question. A 15-word answer isn't as compelling as a 235-word answer! Your computer's word processor (e.g. Microsoft Word) will typically have a Word Count button to make sure you don't exceed or fall far short of the word limit.

  • Start working on your answers a day or two in advance (either in a word processor or old-fashioned pen and paper) so that you can sleep on it, mull over the question, and compose your best response, along with editing and proofreading, before you submit your final application.

  • Lastly, the more you can comfortably share with us, the more informed we will be in deciding which applications are the most compelling. The more details the better!

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