Targeted support for physician moms. 

Why We're Doing This

Did you know?

Physician moms face a distinct, well-documented set of challenges.

Physician mothers face inadequate parental leave, a disproportionate share of domestic and childcare responsibilities, discrimination tied to pregnancy or breastfeeding, and higher rates of pregnancy complications, postpartum depression, and burnout than their peers. Financial strain compounds all of it, especially for those early in their training. 

Despite how common these challenges are, dedicated support for physician mothers is limited. Dr. Mom Foundation grants aim to help address that gap by providing direct relief for individuals facing an acute need, and support for the organizations building longer-term support systems around them.

From 2000 to 2023, inflation-adjusted childcare costs increased 26.4% while resident salaries increased 1.2%.

Source: Brewster, Ryan C L et al. “Childcare Affordability and Benefits Among Resident Physicians.” JAMA network open vol. 8,5 e2511089. 1 May. 2025, doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.11089

Current Opportunities

  • Hardship & Emergency Assistance Micro-Grants

    The Dr. Mom Foundation recognizes that physician mothers often face significant financial challenges, particularly in the early stages of their career — and that these challenges create real barriers to physical and emotional wellness. Beginning August 2026, the Foundation is offering a limited number of hardship and emergency assistance grants to support physician moms (including physicians-in-training) across the upper Midwest who are experiencing financial hardship.

    These grants can help cover things such as:

    •     Basic needs — rent, food, utilities, transportation

    •     Childcare costs

    •     Respite care for caregiving responsibilities

    •     Therapy appointments

    •     Other needs arising from financial hardship, as described by applicants

    Grants are reviewed monthly, and this program will pause once 15 grants have been distributed.

  • The Dr. Mom Foundation is proud to support partner organizations in promoting the holistic health of physician mothers. Beginning January 2027, the Foundation will offer a limited number of grants to organizations for programs, initiatives, and events designed to support mothers who are physicians or physicians-in-training. Priority is given to nonprofit organizations in the upper Midwest, and especially to collaborations between multiple entities.

    •     Peer-to-peer support and/or mentorship programs

    •     On-site and/or subsidized childcare during an organization-sponsored event

    •     Improving dedicated, on-site lactation spaces

    •     Training and education for clinician leaders on supporting physician mothers

    •     Workshops, collaborative events, and pilot programs

    Applications open twice a year, in January and July. Grants are one-time and not automatically renewed — a new application is needed for each request, and only one grant can be made per initiative, per year, with the exception of a pre-approved shared project between multiple partners.

A Few Things to Know

  • All grants are one-time and not automatically renewing.

  • Not a loan — nothing is repaid — but also not guaranteed. All requests are reviewed by a Foundation representative, and funding is limited.

  • These programs aren’t a substitute for the legislative and institutional policies — paid leave, on-site childcare, sustainable pay — that would prevent strain on physician mothers in the first place. It's direct support while that work continues.

Applications

Questions? Want to talk through a project before applying?

A Dr. Mom Foundation representative is happy to discuss ideas first. You can reach us at info@drmomfound.org

Apply for an individual grant