Developing the Next Generation of Educational Leaders in Health Professions Education
The University of Washington’s Teaching Scholars Program (TSP) is a 10-month professional development opportunity designed to cultivate future leaders in health professions education. Hosted by the Center for Leadership and Innovation in Medical Education (CLIME) and the School of Medicine Office of Faculty Affairs, the program supports faculty across the health sciences who are committed to advancing their careers as educators, scholars, and innovators.
Vision and Mission
The Teaching Scholars Program aims to build an active and engaged community of educator-scholars who shape the future of teaching, learning, and leadership across the continuum of health professions education, driving excellence and innovation in education at the University of Washington and beyond.
Meet the TSP Community!
See current scholars, faculty spotlights, and our alumni going back to 1995
Explore the CommunityProgram Overview
The Teaching Scholars Program provides participants with the knowledge, skills, and community necessary to:
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- Lead educational programs and initiatives within their departments, institutions, and the broader health professions community.
- Engage in rigorous education scholarship by designing, conducting, and disseminating research that advances the science of teaching and learning.
- Apply a scholarly lens to educational practice and innovation, ensuring that changes in curricula and assessment are evidence-based, equity-minded, and impactful.
Over the course of the program, scholars explore key topics in health professions education, including curriculum design and evaluation, theories of teaching and learning, research methods, direct teaching, learner assessment, leadership skills, and career advancement as an educator.
Who Should Apply
The program is open to faculty and fellows in the school of medicine as well as faculty and fellows in nursing, pharmacy, dentistry, public health, and other health-related disciplines who are:
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- Passionate about teaching and learning
- Eager to take on leadership roles in education
- Committed to advancing scholarship in health professions education
- Interested in creating meaningful, evidence-informed educational change
Program Structure
Scholars meet every Tuesday morning from September through mid-June from 9am-12pm (PST). Scholars based in Seattle join in person, and those based in the WWAMI region join via zoom.
Scholars spend the year developing, refining , and implementing an educational research project or innovation with faculty mentorship, a robust group of peer-mentors, and by applying course material to their own projects throughout the year.
The year is organized into thematic blocks, with each interactive session covering 1-2 key topics in health professions education, scholarship, and career development. The core domains are:
| Curriculum Development |
| Theories of Teaching and Learning |
| Educational Scholarship |
| Direct Teaching |
| Learner Assessment |
| Career Planning and Advancement |
| Leadership Skills |
How to Apply
To participate in the program, scholars must obtain financial support for tuition ($1,500) from their sponsor (department chair, dean, division head, or supervisor) and approved release time on Tuesday mornings for program sessions and research projects. A letter of support from the department chair, a current CV, and a completed online application, including a description of your planned teaching scholars project, are also required.
Applications open March 10th, 2026 and close on April 21, 2026.
Preview the Application
You can review a Sample Application Form to see the required information and materials. This is for reference only, all applications must be submitted through the official online form once it becomes available online.
Contact Marla Hill, Program Coordinator at mdhill@uw.edu or 206-616-9875 with questions
FAQs
How is the Teaching Scholar’s Program different from the Clinical Teaching Certificate Program?
The Teaching Scholar’s Program provides in-depth career development for educators, beyond core teaching skills. It prepares participants to develop theory- informed educational innovations and apply a scholarly lens to educational projects (through phases of design, implementation, evaluation and dissemination). It is best suited for those who are developing new programs or preparing for roles running or evaluating new or existing educational programs such as clerkships, residency programs, or faculty development programs.
The Clinical Teaching Certificate Program provides focused guidance on clinical teaching. This program covers only foundational clinical teaching skills with six two-hour sessions with paired modules that can be completed over multiple years.
Can I apply if I am appointed as staff, but I have teaching responsibilities?
Yes you can!
Are there any prerequisites for applying to the Teaching Scholars Program?
No. Anyone looking to grow as an educator is welcome to apply.
What leadership positions have TSP graduates taken?
TSP graduates hold educational leadership positions across the spectrum of medical education, from clerkship directors to residency program leadership, departmental chairs for education, or deans in the school of medicine.
I don’t have any ideas for a scholarly project, can I still apply?
The proposal in the application is meant to help you “put pen to paper” and consider what innovations or research questions you would like to further explore or implement in your teaching practices or educational spaces. You can still apply if you aren’t 100% sure what your project will be. Applicants are generally best able to “hit the ground running” if they have been able to identify 1-2 areas of focus in their application. If you need more help to define your project, speak with a mentor or contact us!