Texas Medical Excellence Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Kirby Plastic Surgery

Overview
The Texas Medical Excellence Scholarship was established by Fort Worth plastic surgeon Dr. Emily J. Kirby to support Texas students pursuing careers in the medical professions. One $2,500 award is available to a current Texas resident who is studying a medicine-related field.

How the award may be used
The $2,500 is intended to help cover tuition and other educational expenses, such as:
- Textbooks and course materials
- Supplies (paper, pens, notebooks, etc.)
- Required technology
- On-campus dining and housing
- Transportation costs

Award disbursement and taxes
The scholarship will be paid directly to the student as a cash prize. Recipients are responsible for any required tax reporting and obligations; we recommend consulting a tax professional for guidance.

Who is eligible
To apply you must:
- Be a current resident of Texas.
- Be an undergraduate or postgraduate student actively pursuing a degree or career path in a medicine-related field at an accredited institution (on-campus or online).
- Complete the application form and submit original essay responses (essays will be screened for AI-generated content).
- Upload a professional headshot and one letter of reference that includes valid contact information.
- Agree that, if selected, your name and photo may be publicly announced and used.

Examples of eligible degrees
Eligible programs include (but are not limited to):
- Doctorates: MD, DO, DMD, DPM, OD, PsyD, PharmD, DPT, DNP, DSN, DCM, DS
- Nursing: RN, NP, CNM, CRNA
- Master’s-level: MPH, MM, MMS, MN, MNA, MPharm, MPAS, MSN, MSM
- Physician assistant: PA, PA‑C

2026 Scholarship timeline
- Monday, March 9: Application period opens
- Monday, March 9 – Friday, June 5: Applications accepted
- Monday, June 8 – Monday, June 29: Scholarship Committee reviews applications and selects winner
- Monday, July 6: Winner announced and notified

Notes and tips
- Make sure your essays are original — submissions will be reviewed for AI-generated content.
- Double-check that your letter of reference includes a phone number or email so the committee can verify details if needed.
- If you’re unsure whether your specific program qualifies, include a brief program description with your application or reach out to the scholarship contact for clarification.