What does PSFP mean in UNCLASSIFIED

The Pittsburgh Schweitzer Fellows Program is a one-year fellowship program that allows local graduate students to develop and implement innovative service projects for underserved communities. Through this program, fellows receive mentoring, training and seed funding to implement their projects in the community.

Any currently enrolled Masters or Doctoral student in any field of study can apply for the Pittsburgh Schweitzer Fellowship. Eligible applicants must commit to completing a year of service with their project and demonstrate a commitment to improving the health of underserved populations.

The fellowship lasts 12 months, beginning at the end of August and ending at the end of August of the following year. During this time period, fellows are expected to devote an average of 10-15 hours per week (during academic terms) working on their projects.

Projects should be designed to improve access to services or increase education about health and well-being among underserved populations. Examples include outreach programs that connect vulnerable individuals to existing healthcare resources, initiatives that provide education about a particular health condition, and campaigns that increase awareness about preventive care behaviors.

Funds received through this program must be used solely for direct project implementation costs such as materials (e.g., printing flyers or purchasing supplies), honoraria/stipends (e.g., for guest speakers), recruiting/advertising expenses (e.g., fliers placed on bulletin boards), event tickets/registrations (e.g., conferences), etc.). Funds cannot be used for stipends or salaries for fellows themselves; travel expenses; equipment purchases; indirect costs such as administrative fees; alcohol; food unrelated to events promoting service projects; apparel such as t-shirts; scholarships; political causes/efforts; religious activities/programs; funds held as contingency or reserves related to a project’s total budgeted amount(s); fundraising efforts or other activities not related directly to implementing a project or service activity.

Prior work experience working with underserved populations is preferred but not required. However, all applicants must have an understanding of how poverty, socio-economic status, discrimination, and other social determinants affect health and well-being within their communities.

Yes! Fellows will receive ongoing mentoring and peer support throughout their year in order to help them develop meaningful relationships in our community while they complete their service project successfully. Additionally, fellows will attend monthly meetings where they will have opportunities to network with other fellows across fields and gain valuable skills related to leadership development.

Yes! Each fellow receives up $3,000 in seed funding upon approval from our selection committee which can be used towards developing their respective projects.