Program History:
Started in 2022, Launch is a financial support program for new members that is run by the Relief Trust and Endowment Board. The program was previously known as the MMSP (Member Meeting Support Program). The goal of the program is to assist early career AAP members to pay for AAP conferences.
Program Purpose:
AAP wants to quickly integrate new members and help them experience how special this organization is. Cost is often a barrier to new members’ attendance at conferences. Launch was created to reduce that barrier by assisting with conference registration and travel costs. The selection committee pays special attention to diversity. The program is intended to bridge the gap for early career members, to allow them to participate and receive everything AAP has to offer, while transitioning into a new career.
How the Program Works:
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Each recipient receives a total of $3,000 in grant money towards conference registration and expenses that may be used for the Summer Workshop and/or the Institute and Conference in the fall.
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Recipients may use the grant money over the time span of up to 5 years (changed from 10 years, starting in 2025.
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Grants are given 5 times, each time in decreasing amounts, as shown below.
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Two grants may be given in the same year to allow the recipient to attend both Summer Workshop and the Institute and Conference.
Grant Schedule:
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First conference: $1,000
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Second conference: $800
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Third conference: $600
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Fourth conference: $400
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Fifth conference: $200
Total Grant money: $3,000
Grants are dependent on the value of the Endowment fund, contributions collected from members and the value of the stock market. We inform recipients that they are not assured these funds if our Endowment drops below a certain level. So please continue to support the Endowment fund with your generous contributions.
