The University of California will distribute $3.5 million in state-backed funding to support medical education and expand the physician workforce, according to a Dec. 22 news release from the university.
The support stems from Proposition 35, a voter-approved 2024 initiative that established the California Fund for Advancing Physician Education and Workforce Growth — also known as The Grow Grants. The fund is administered by University of California Health on behalf of the state.
Here are five things to know, per the release:
1. The $3.5 million fund will be distributed through The Grow Grants to support seven medical education proposals across the state.
2. Each project will receive approximately $500,000 over a two-year grant period.
3. The funded proposals aim to strengthen California’s physician pipeline by increasing the number of medical residents and fellows in high-need specialties, expanding training in rural or underserved regions, and enhancing care for Medi-Cal and uninsured patients.
4. Recipients were selected by a statewide group of medical education leaders. The program received more than 100 competitive applications from across California.
5. According to UC Health, funding beyond the initial $3.5 million will be essential to fully address the state’s physician shortage and meet long-term care access needs.
More details and the full list of awardees are available on The Grow Grants webpage and in the university release.
