The Pro-GC Program
Professional Support and Career Development Fund for Genetic Counselors and Students
The ThinkGenetic Foundation established the Pro-GC program to provide genetic counselors, ancillary providers, and genetic counseling students with grants and mentorship for professional support and career development. The program’s goal is to allow this population of dedicated professionals to expand their skill sets in various areas of specialty within the field of clinical genetics.
Genetic counselors and patient-focused ancillary providers are healthcare professionals who work with individuals, families, communities, and other healthcare professionals to empower them to understand how genetic information impacts their lives or the lives of their patients.
The scope of the Pro-GC Program is informed by the experienced members of the ThinkGenetic Foundation team who understand the barriers to career and professional development from genetic counseling graduate students to experienced genetic counselors, as well as ancillary providers working in clinical genetics. The program includes two tracks: Learning and leadership grants for attending continuing education opportunities and professional fees grants.
Learning and Leadership
Learning and Leadership grant funds are provided to genetic counselors, ancillary providers and genetic counseling students as a stipend for registration, travel, and incidental expenses directly associated with in-person or virtual career development opportunities. Interested individuals are encouraged to apply for a learning and leadership grant.
If requested, the ThinkGenetic Foundation team will also connect the awardee with a mentor who has expertise in the topic and will enhance their experience.
After attending the educational opportunity, awardees are asked to summarize how attending impacted their development.
Professional Fees
Professional Fees grant funds are provided to genetic counselors, ancillary providers and genetic counseling students as a stipend for professional licensure, society/group membership, specific interest group membership, certification, exam fees, or recertification fees for an individual to support their career. Interested individuals are encouraged to apply for a professional fees grant.
If requested, the ThinkGenetic Foundation team will also connect the awardee with a mentor who has expertise in the topic and will enhance their experience.
Awardees will be asked to provide a summary of how the funding opportunity personally impacted their professional development.
Disclaimer: Applicants must be genetic counselors, ancillary providers, or genetic counseling students. Individuals who have graduated from an accredited genetic counseling training program, but did not achieve certification are eligible. Current ThinkGenetic Foundation employees and board members are not eligible to apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Pro-GC scholarship program?
The Pro-GC Program is a program designed to support professional development and career opportunities for genetic counselors, ancillary providers, and genetic counseling students who work in or are interested in working in subspecialty areas or clinical genetics. The program currently provides applicants with two options:
- Learning and Leadership grants are designed to support genetic professionals in pursuing continuing education, skill enhancement, and leadership development at meetings or conferences.
- Professional fee grants are designed to cover the cost of membership to professional societies, additional certifications, and licensure relevant to the field of clinical practice.
Who funds the scholarships?
The Pro-GC program is funded, in part, by donations and grants provided by program sponsors, including biopharma companies. In addition, the ThinkGenetic Foundation provides direct funding and accepts donations from individual contributors.
Who is eligible to apply for the scholarship?
The scholarship is open to genetic counselors, genetic counseling students, and ancillary providers including metabolic dietitians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. Applicants must have a proven track record of work experience in the genetics field and a demonstrated commitment to professional growth or be a student enrolled in an accredited graduate school program.
How often can I apply for the scholarship?
Applicants can apply for the scholarship once per calendar year. If you have previously received the scholarship, you may reapply in subsequent years if you still meet the eligibility criteria. All interested applicants are encouraged to apply; however, priority is given to first-time applicants.
Can I apply for multiple learning opportunities within the same application?
No, you may apply for a learning and leadership or professional fees grant, but not both at the same time.
What expenses does the scholarship cover?
The scholarship is intended to cover fees associated with learning and leadership opportunities, including but not limited to registration fees for courses, workshops, conferences, and certification programs.
How are the scholarship recipients selected?
Scholarship recipients are selected through a thorough application process aimed to support as many applicants as possible based on set criteria. A review committee comprised of ThinkGenetic Foundation board members and volunteers evaluate applications and scholarships will be awarded based on specified factors. See applicant criteria for more details.
Is there a deadline for submitting applications?
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
How will I be notified if I am selected as a scholarship recipient?
All applicants will be notified via email about the status of their application. Successful scholarship recipients will receive an official letter with an award check if selected for a scholarship.
I have been approved. When can I expect my funding?
Review of new candidates and scholarship distribution occur monthly at this time. A ThinkGenetic Foundation member will request additional information from you with information on how to best get the funding to you in a timely manner so make sure you check your email.
I requested a mentor as part of my application. What should I expect?
If an applicant requests mentorship from an experienced genetic counselor, the ThinkGenetic team will work to pair the applicant with an appropriate mentor in the correct area of subspecialty.
I received my funding. Is there anything else I need to do?
While there are no required actions as part of your funding, we appreciate and encourage continued contact to hear about your experience. We may reach out to you asking about a statement in a written or video format or request a photo. We will use your testimonial to promote the program and encourage continued donations, as well as bring awareness to others who may want to apply.
2024 Program Sponsors
The Pro-GC Grant program is paid for, in part, with grants and donations from our sponsors below.
Interested in donating, partnering or supporting the Proc GC program? Contact us
