Diversity & Inclusion Scholarships

AABC understands the importance of increasing access to birth center care for all families and increasing access to education for all providers. Racial health disparities in perinatal care are devastating many communities. We know it’s our responsibility to address this failure of the US healthcare system and the history of the birth center movement which has too often centered white, affluent, straight women.

We offer Diversity + Inclusion Scholarships to Members of the Global Majority*, LGBTQIA+ folks, and people with disabilities. AABC seeks to expand access and lower barriers to entry through these scholarships for the annual AABC Birth Institute, How to Start a Birth Center Workshops (in-person and online), and Community Birth Assistant Training.

Preparing your scholarship application

The scholarship application includes the following short answer questions which may be answered in writing or by video submission:

  • 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 this education program 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 for this education program may help improve diversity, equity and inclusion in your birth center or community. (300 word limit)
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!

How to Start a Birth Center (HSBC) Workshop Online and/or Community Birth Assistant Training

There are two scholarship review periods:

  • Period 1: Deadline to apply MAY 1, 2023
  • Period 2: Application opens: SEPTEMBER 5, 2023 Deadline to apply: NOVEMBER 1, 2023

Eligibility Criteria

  • People who are interested in starting or working in a birth center
  • Identify as a Member of the Global Majority*, LGBTQIA+, or person with a disability.
  • Special consideration will be given to applicants taking an AABC course for the first time

Each scholarship will include:

  • Registration fee for the HSBC Workshop (online) or the Community Birth Assistant Training
  • Additionally, we will provide support from AABC staff as needed

Expectations of scholarship recipients

  • Complete the course 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. Recipients have no special duties or obligations apart from attendance, participation to their comfort, and giving us feedback on their experience.

Apply to the HSBC Workshop Online

Apply to the Community Birth Assistant Training

AABC Birth Institute and/or How to Start a Birth Center Workshop (in-person)

The submission deadline for 2023 in-person scholarships has passed. Please check back in the summer of 2024 for next year's scholarship application.

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 (Tucson), or both
  • $750 travel stipend 
  • AABC will match scholarship recipients with a conference mentor (if desired). Additionally, we will provide 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 conference experience and have no special duties or obligations apart from attendance, participation to their comfort, and giving us feedback on their experience.

Apply Now

* 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)