2026 Annual Symposium Scholarship

The goal of the Down Syndrome Medical Interest Group (DSMIG-USA) Scholarship Program is to provide financial assistance to recipients to attend the DSMIG-USA Annual Symposium. The number of scholarships awarded each year will depend on available funding. The 2026 conference will take place from July 23-25, 2026, in Orlando, Florida, at the Hilton Signia. 

Rising Star Scholarships

This scholarship is for trainees or early career clinicians. The scholarship amount for the Rising Star Scholarship will be up to $2000 each. The scholarship will offset the costs of attending the DSMIG-USA Annual Symposium (travel, lodging, and food). Only one scholarship award will be given to each recipient. In addition to the monetary award, the recipient will receive complimentary conference registration and a one-year membership with DSMIG-USA. 

Criteria for Eligibility

To be eligible for consideration for a Rising Star scholarship, the applicant must be a Trainee or early career clinician (within 5 years of completing training) working within the Down syndrome community. 

Selection Process

All Personal Statements will be rated based on the quality of response to the question "How do you plan to apply what you learn from the DSMIG-USA symposium to your studies, research, or professional career related to the care of individuals with Down syndrome?" The reviewers will evaluate each Personal Statement on the following criteria: 

• Originality/creativity/innovation in the care of individuals with Down syndrome. How is your research or work enhancing the field of care (This can be expressed by describing work you are already doing or work you are interested in pursuing in the future.)
• Ability to apply information from DSMIG conference to career potential. How will exposure to conference sessions help you advance your career goals? 
• Ability to express ideas well and convey information clearly and concisely. 

Application Deadline

The application form and essay must be submitted by March 29, 2026, for the Rising Star Scholarship. 

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Financial Need Scholarships

The goal of the Financial Need Scholarship Program is to provide financial assistance to those who will experience undue expense to participate in the DSMIG-USA symposium. The recipient will receive complimentary conference registration and a one-year membership with DSMIG-USA. 

Criteria for Eligibility

To be eligible for consideration for a Financial Need scholarship the applicant recognizes that financial cost is a burden to participate in the DSMIG-USA symposium (typically would include trainees, international clinicians, clinic coordinators, or therapists). 

Selection Process

All Personal Statements will be evaluated based on the response to the question "How will the scholarship increase the ability to attend the DSMIG-USA Symposium?"

Application Deadline

The application form and essay must be submitted by March 29, 2026, for Financial Need Scholarship. 

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Scholarship Recipient Notification and Recognition

Scholarship recipients will be chosen this Spring. Scholarship recipients will be recognized at the DSMIG-USA Annual Symposium. 

Scholarship Mentoring

All scholarship recipients are offered the opportunity to work with a mentor. The name and contact information for the mentor will be provided by DSMIG-USA.