Dec 2 2025

For more than three decades, the Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP) has supported college students as they prepare for successful careers in the health professions, inspiring and guiding thousands of future leaders in medicine, dentistry, and beyond. 

SHPEP’s long-standing commitment to academic enrichment, mentorship, and career development has expanded pathways into the health professions for students across the United States. Our unique approach has made SHPEP one of the pre-eminent pathway programs for young people interested in the health professions, garnering  close to 10,000 application registrations annually.

As we launch the application for SHPEP’s 2026 cohort, we want to share that the program is changing after 2026. Following much deliberation and research, SHPEP’s founding partner and core funder, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), is shifting their strategic priorities to focus more on dismantling structural racism in the health sector at the institutional level. Therefore, RWJF has made the decision to end their funding of SHPEP after the completion of the 2026 cohort. Using this broader approach, RWJF plans to invest in changing systems that often perpetuate inequities and exclusionary policies and practices in health education and training. Their decision is not a reflection on SHPEP’s program success. RWJF remains committed to making health systems more diverse, equitable, and inclusive.  

While we are disappointed that the funding is coming to an end, we are incredibly grateful for RWJF’s multi-decade commitment to our work. Their investments have contributed to tens of thousands of health professionals realizing their career aspirations and potential, making our health systems stronger, more diverse, and more representative of the communities they serve.

Together, we have established an incredible track record over our 37-year partnership, and we have much to be proud of. Since 1989, we have served over 32,000 students, producing over 9,000 physicians and 2,000 dentists, with more on the pathway to a health profession. To date, 78% of our scholars have earned advanced degrees, becoming some of the most respected leaders in their fields. That community of excellence and our engaged alumni network will now live on in a different way.

This funding shift will not impact students applying for the 2026 cohort, as SHPEP will continue in its current format through the summer of 2026. Scholars applying to our 2026 cohort can look forward to the same experience – including academic enrichment, career and professional development, and community building – that SHPEP is known for. 

We invite all of you to encourage the future health professionals in your network to apply by Feb. 5, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.

We also want to take this time to offer our heartfelt appreciation to all of the staff, partners, educators, advisors, leaders, health ambassadors, alumni, and others who have worked with us to grow this program over the years. Your commitment, passion, and care have shaped the careers of tens of thousands of students and, through them, improved the lives of millions of patients across the nation. 

Most of all, we want to express our gratitude to the students – those we have served and those who will join us for our 2026 cohort. Your dreams, talent, and dedication are the heart of this program, and your leadership will be crucial in building a health care system that serves everyone. 

Over the next several months, we will explore what the future of collaborative health professions pathway programming could look like beyond 2026 and how we can continue SHPEP’s mission in new ways. We’ll share more information in the coming year. In the meantime, if you have any questions about this announcement, please access our FAQs below. If you have specific questions related to the 2026 cohort application cycle, please email shpep@aamc.org.  

SHPEP Sunsetting FAQs

1. What is the current status of SHPEP?

• The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), SHPEP’s core funder, has decided to end their funding as part of their evolving strategic priorities. The decision is not a reflection on our program, and RWJF remains committed to making health systems more diverse, equitable, and inclusive. SHPEP will host its last cohort in 2026. The application closes Feb. 5, 2026.

2. Will SHPEP take place in 2026?

• Yes. The 2026 cohort will take place as planned. Applications are open, and all program components, including academic enrichment, learning and study skills, career development, and community building, remain the same.

3. Why is SHPEP concluding in its current format?

• RWJF has shifted their strategic priorities and will end funding for SHPEP after the 2026 program year. This decision reflects changes in the foundation’s focus areas, and is not a reflection of the program’s performance or impact. SHPEP has a long and successful legacy of preparing students for careers in the health professions.

4. Does this mean RWJF is no longer focused on equity in the health care space? 

• The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) remains dedicated to creating a health care workforce that reflects our nation’s diversity. Their decision reflects changes in their strategic focus on dismantling structural racism in health education and training on the institutional level in order to have a greater impact across the health sector. 

• Through RWJF’s past work in the health professions, they have learned that developing a truly diverse health care workforce requires a broad approach to changing policies and practices. Such changes support greater inclusion and belonging in institutions for students and faculty of all backgrounds. As they look ahead, RWJF will put greater emphasis on changing the systems and institutions that often perpetuate inequities, so that barriers to careers in health care and access to care no longer exist.  

5. What does this mean for students applying to SHPEP in 2026?

• Students applying for the 2026 program will experience SHPEP as it has always been offered. The application process, eligibility requirements, and program benefits, including housing, meals, and a stipend, remain unchanged.

6. How will participation in the final SHPEP cohort be recognized or leveraged when applying to health professions programs?

• Participation in SHPEP is widely recognized by health professions schools as a valuable and enriching experience. Scholars in the 2026 cohort will still be able to benefit from SHPEP’s reputation and will receive the same academic and professional development opportunities that have supported thousands of students for more than 35 years.

7. What does this mean for SHPEP alumni?

• SHPEP alumni remain an important part of the program’s legacy. The National Program Office (NPO), led by the AAMC and ADEA, will continue to engage alumni and highlight their ongoing impact in the health professions. The NPO will maintain alumni networks after the program concludes in its current format and will provide opportunities for alumni to participate in future programming or initiatives as they become available.

8. Will SHPEP return in the future?

• The SHPEP National Program Office, supported by the AAMC and ADEA, is exploring future programming that can continue the mission of preparing and supporting future health professionals. Updates will be shared in the coming year.

9. How can I stay informed about updates?

• Information will be shared through SHPEP.org, The SHPEP Connect email newsletter, and official SHPEP social media channels. We encourage you to subscribe and follow to receive the latest updates. Those channels include
  • Facebook: @shpepconnect
  • Instagram: @shpepconnect/
  • X: @SHPEPconnect
  • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/shpepconnect 

10. Will advisors receive additional guidance on how to communicate with students? 

• Advisors can visit the SHPEP website for the latest information about the 2026 program, including resources to maximize their conversations with prehealth students interested in applying. We encourage advisors to attend our open webinar, “Steps to Success with the SHPEP Application” on Dec. 16 for a more comprehensive overview of the program and guidance on how to support students. As a reminder, all recorded webinars are posted to the SHPEPconnect YouTube Channel.

11. Will this affect the Minority Serving Institution Pathway Initiative (MSIPI)?

• The Minority Serving Institution Pathway Initiative (MSIPI) is a separate program and is not affected by this change. MSIPI will continue to offer its five-week blended experience for students interested in a career in medicine.

12. Who can I contact with additional questions or ideas?

• For questions about the 2026 program, the application process, or funding/partnership opportunities, contact the SHPEP National Program Office at shpep@aamc.org.