2026 CIM Scholarship Contest Guidelines

CIM Annual Scholarship Essay Contest

Submission Deadline

All essays must be submitted no later than March 1, 2026.

Scholarship Categories

Tier 1 Countries – 25% Scholarships

Three (3) scholarships will be awarded at a 25% reduction of CIM application and examination fees to students who are exclusively living and serving in Tier 1 countries, as defined on the IRM website.

Tier 2 Countries – 50% Scholarships

Three (3) scholarships will be awarded at a 50% reduction of CIM application and examination fees to students or midwives who are exclusively living and serving in Tier 2 countries, as defined on the IRM website.

Tier 3 Countries / Low-Resource Settings – 75% Scholarships

Three (3) scholarships will be awarded at a 75% reduction of CIM application and examination fees to students or midwives who are exclusively living and serving in Tier 3 countries or other clearly defined low-resource settings, as designated by IRM.

Indigenous Communities – 75% Scholarships

Three (3) scholarships will be awarded at a 75% reduction of CIM application and examination fees to students or practicing midwives who:

• Are indigenous themselves, and
• Are exclusively living and serving within indigenous communities, anywhere in the world.

Eligibility and Timeline Requirements

To remain eligible for any scholarship awarded through this contest, recipients must be prepared to sit for their final IRM examination on or before December 31, 2033.

This scholarship program is intended to support students who are actively progressing toward completion and certification within a defined and reasonable timeframe.

Lifetime Scholarship Renewal

Recipients of these scholarships will receive lifetime renewal of registration and program fees at the same awarded scholarship rate, provided they remain in good standing, continue to meet eligibility requirements, and comply with IRM policies.

Essay Assignment

Applicants must submit an original essay responding to the following:

Midwifery as Service:

Bearing Witness, Holding Skill, and Preserving Life

In your essay, please address the following themes:

• What it means to practice midwifery as an act of service within your specific community
• The unique challenges and responsibilities of providing care in your setting
• How culture, tradition, resource availability, and lived experience shape your work
• Your vision for how midwifery education, mentorship, and integrity can strengthen outcomes for families and future generations

Essays should reflect personal experience, ethical reflection, and a commitment to respectful, skilled care. Academic perfection is not required. Authentic voice, clarity of purpose, and depth of insight are valued.

Language and Authorship Guidelines

• Essays may be submitted in the applicant’s native language
• Essays do not need to be translated into English
• Essays must be original work written solely by the applicant
• The use of artificial intelligence tools for writing or generating essays is not permitted
• Essays found to be written or substantially assisted by artificial intelligence may be disqualified at IRM’s discretion

Submission and Acceptance Requirements

• Essays must be original and written by the applicant
• Length: 1,000–1,500 words
• Applicants must clearly state which scholarship category they are applying for
• Proof of eligibility (location, service population, or indigenous status) may be requested

Essays may be submitted via email or WhatsApp, as listed on the IRM website.

Scholarship Acceptance and Payment

Scholarship recipients must register as a CIM student if not already registered and must submit a non-refundable deposit upon acceptance to secure their scholarship award. The remaining CIM application and examination fee balance must be paid in full prior to eligibility to sit for the final CIM examination.

Deposit and Balance Amounts

Tier 1 Countries (25% Scholarship)

Deposit: $250 USD

Total CIM application and examination fees owed: $1,125 USD

Remaining balance after deposit: $875 USD

Tier 2 Countries (50% Scholarship)

Deposit: $150 USD

Total CIM application and examination fees owed: $499.50 USD

Remaining balance after deposit: $349.50 USD

Tier 3 Countries / Low-Resource Settings (75% Scholarship)

Deposit: $50 USD

Total CIM application and examination fees owed: $124.50 USD

Remaining balance after deposit: $74.50 USD

Indigenous Communities (Tier 3 Pricing, 75% Scholarship)

Deposit: $50 USD

Total CIM application and examination fees owed: $124.50 USD

Remaining balance after deposit: $74.50 USD

Payment instructions will be provided at the time of award notification. 

The International Registry of Midwives is deeply committed to supporting those who carry midwifery into places where it matters most. We look forward to reading your stories, your reflections, and your vision for the future of birth.