Our Impact
The HIMSS Foundation is passionate about leading the way for the future digital health workforce. Through scholarships, grants, internships and externships, we provide educational and professional opportunities to prepare the next generation of health information and technology leaders that is representative of the patients they serve.
Launched in 1996, the HIMSS Foundation has supported 65+ students with $260,000+ in scholarships to pursue their education in digital health, information and management systems. We have provided hands-on training to 150+ students, helping guide health policy and informatics education.
Beginning in 2021, the HIMSS Foundation funded $25,000 for two educational programs to increase the diversity in the digital health workforce: the HIMSS Professional Certification Grant for Minority Professionals and Students, and the Emerging Healthcare Leaders Program.
Supporting the Future
Scholarships
The HIMSS Foundation funds scholarships annually for HIMSS student members who have achieved academic excellence and demonstrate the potential to be future health information and technology leaders. Recipients receive financial awards and complimentary access to the HIMSS Global Health Conference and Exhibition (restrictions may apply). View previous recipients and meet our 2024 recipients
The 2025 HIMSS Foundation Scholarship Application is now closed. Please watch for the 2026 scholarship application opening in August 2025.
For more information, email us.
HIMSS Foundation Undergraduate/Graduate Candidate Scholarships
The HIMSS Foundation awards two $5,000 HIMSS Student Member scholarships annually: one to an undergraduate and one to a graduate student. Undergraduate applicants must be at least first-term juniors when the scholarship is awarded. The application requires a resume or CV and one letter of recommendation from peers, colleagues, managers or professors. Letters of recommendation from Selection Committee judges are discouraged.
Applicants must be current HIMSS Student Members in good standing and actively taking coursework in an accredited undergraduate or masters program related to the health information and technology or healthcare management systems fields at the time the scholarship is awarded.
Applicants cannot be currently employed by HIMSS, engaged in a consulting contract with any component of HIMSS, or serving on HIMSS Board of Directors or any HIMSS Advisory Boards. Scholarship judges and previous HIMSS Foundation Scholarship recipients are also exempt.
HIMSS Chapter-Specific Scholarships
Many HIMSS chapters provide scholarships for HIMSS Student Members. Contact your local chapter for availability and eligibility. You may find your local chapter contact information here.
Richard P. Covert, PhD, LFHIMSS Scholarship for Management Systems
The scholarship will not be offered at this time. We look forward to bringing the scholarship back as a career development opportunity during the 2025-2026 education year.
Steve Lieber Innovator Scholarship
The scholarship will not be offered at this time. We look forward to bringing the scholarship back as a career development opportunity during the 2025-2026 education year.
Internships
The HIMSS Foundation is committed to providing hands-on experiences for undergraduate and graduate students to broaden their experiences in such areas as policy development, informatics, and health association management to advance their careers and the future of the digital health ecosystem. Student applications are accepted on a rolling basis for the winter, summer and fall semesters.
Public Policy
The public policy internship program provides leadership and professional development experiences for undergraduate and graduate students interested in healthcare and public policy. Whether in the Washington, DC office or remote, these internships offer unique opportunities to gain valuable work experience and knowledge of Congress and federal and state governments. Working on a flexible basis, participants experience a fast-paced, real-world environment that helps prepare them to be future healthcare leaders.
The application period for Fall 2022 will open in July 2022. For more information, email us.
Grants
Through grant funding, the HIMSS Foundation provides opportunities for current and emerging professionals to diversify the digital health workforce.
HIMSS Professional Certification Grants
The HIMSS Foundation has partnered with the HIMSS Global Health Equity Network to offer this grant to help prepare underrepresented health information and technology professionals and students to attain either the Certified Associate in Healthcare Information and Management Systems (CAHIMS®) or the Certified Professional in Healthcare Information and Management Systems (CPHIMS®) certification.
The application period for the 2025 HIMSS Foundation Professional Certification Grant for Minority Professionals and Students is now open. Applications will be accepted through December 17 at 12pm CT.
Initiatives
HIMSS Gives Back
HIMSS Gives Back is an initiative through the HIMSS Foundation that taps the collective power of HIMSS Global Health Conference & Exhibition attendees and HIMSS members to make a social impact on our conference host communities. As part of HIMSS23 in Chicago, HIMSS Gives Back is raising funds to benefit Nourishing Hope, a dynamic social services organization providing food, mental wellness counseling and other social services, such as job and housing assistance, to Chicago neighbors in need.