2024 Eric Dick Memorial Advocacy Scholarship Application

MNAAP’s long-time lobbyist and policy advocate Eric Dick passed away suddenly in January 2021. Eric was deeply committed to improving the health and wellbeing of every child in Minnesota and he not only personally fought for policies to achieve this goal, but also engaged so many beyond himself in the legislative process. Through the annual MNAAP Pediatricians’ Day at the Capitol, Eric shared his incredible skill as a connector and coach, teaching our members how to turn their own stories and experiences into actionable, effective legislative meetings and messages. He was especially passionate about working with residents and medical students and relished every opportunity he had to spend time with them, both at the Capitol and in their individual programs. In that spirit, MNAAP and MAPF have established a scholarship fund in his memory.
The Eric Dick Memorial Advocacy Scholarship will be awarded annually to one or more residents or medical students to engage in legislative advocacy projects aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of children in Minnesota – particularly those focused on eliminating health disparities.

Advocacy scholars will be supported in implementing their projects by MNAAP’s Public Policy Work Group Co-Chairs and contract lobbyist, as well as by the Executive Director. In 2023, we will award up to 2 scholarships ranging from $2,500 - $5,000, depending on the scale of the project(s).

*** Applications are due by 5 pm on Friday, Oct. 27, 2023. Award decisions will be announced no later than Friday, Nov. 10, 2023.***

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* 1. Contact Information 

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* 2. What public policy / legislative advocacy issue affecting child and adolescent health and wellbeing would you propose to address through this opportunity? Why?

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* 3. . What would you propose to change, in relation to your priority issue, through policy advocacy and legislative action?

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* 4. Please describe how your proposed policy change would promote more equitable health outcomes for children and/or adolescents in Minnesota.

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* 5. Describe a prior experience with advocacy and how those experiences might have prepared you to engage in your proposed project. This could include legislative advocacy here in Minnesota or beyond, or other prior advocacy related to the topic of interest you proposed. Prior legislative advocacy in Minnesota is not required.

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* 6. We estimate that advocacy scholarship projects will require a time commitment of approximately 2 hours per week between December 1, 2023, and May 31, 2024. Please explain how you will go about fitting this time into your weekly schedule.

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* 7. Is there anything else we should know about you / your project that hasn’t been covered through the questions above?

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* 8. Where are you located?

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* 9. What is your intended/selected specialty?

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