2026 Advocacy & Public Policy Leadership (APPL) Program Application

The AAP is now accepting applications for the 2026 APPL Class. Deadline to apply is Monday, September 1.

Candidates for the program must:

• Be an active member of the Association of Academic Physiatrists (AAP).
• Be full-time faculty members at an Instructor, Assistant Professor, or Associate Professor level
• Have a minimum of 5 years experience post-residency/ fellowship at the time of application
• Have demonstrated the desire and ability to assume an advocacy and public policy leadership role in their department, institution, or the specialty of physiatry
• Attend the APPL course during each of three consecutive AAP Annual Meetings
• Plan and complete a Health Advocacy Project on the topic presented at the AAP meeting. A presentation of the project will be due for the following year’s meeting.

Nomination materials:

• Candidates must be nominated by their PM&R academic department, division chair or chair equivalent. If the institution has no PM&R department or division, then a nomination can also come from a member of the AAP Board of Trustees or AAP Committee Chair in addition to their current Chair (non-PM&R). The nomination letter (1-2 pages) should discuss the candidate’s past achievements, current public policy and academic activities, and potential as a health policy advocate. Applications will not be considered without this nomination letter.
• Candidate’s current Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• A 500-word personal statement confirming the candidate’s public policy and academic career goals and desire to participate in this program

More information on the APPL Program.