The Bigger Table Fund

Name: The Bigger Table Fund

Award Amount: Up to $1,000 per award cycle

Information And Eligibility:
The Bigger Table Fund is a scholarship and financial assistance initiative created by the National Association of Certified Professional Midwives (NACPM) to help grow a racially, ethnically, and socially representative Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) workforce. This fund directly addresses longstanding financial barriers that disproportionately affect student midwives of color, Indigenous student midwives, and LGBTQIA2S+ student midwives as they work toward entering the CPM profession.

The purpose of The Bigger Table Fund is to remove critical cost-related obstacles that can delay or prevent qualified midwifery students and CPMs from completing required credentialing and licensure steps. These costs often occur at pivotal transition points—such as taking the NARM examination or securing initial state licensure—and can create significant strain for individuals already navigating the demands of clinical training and education.

Funding from The Bigger Table Fund may be used specifically for expenses related to professional credentialing and licensure. Eligible uses include payment of the initial North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) examination fee, fees for retaking the NARM examination if needed, and one-time initial state licensing fees for CPMs. By focusing on these concrete, high-impact expenses, the Fund supports midwives at moments when financial assistance can make the greatest difference.

Awards are distributed quarterly and are based on available funding. Each award cycle distributes up to $3,000 total, with individual awards capped at $1,000 per recipient per cycle. Funds are awarded through a random lottery system after applications are reviewed for completeness and eligibility. This approach ensures equitable access to funding among qualified applicants while responding directly to community-identified needs.

Applicants do not need to disclose which qualifying identity group they belong to, only that they meet eligibility criteria. Applicants seeking support for exam-related fees must submit verification of eligibility from NARM. Those applying for state licensure support must provide their CPM number and documentation verifying licensure costs. Individuals who have previously received funding from The Bigger Table Fund may reapply in future cycles if they continue to have eligible expenses.

The Bigger Table Fund was created in response to direct feedback from midwifery communities and findings from national assessments highlighting the lack of diversity and representation within the CPM workforce. NACPM’s investment in this Fund reflects a long-term commitment to systemic change, workforce sustainability, and expanding access to midwifery care for communities historically underserved by the healthcare system.

• Supports CPMs and student midwives of color, Indigenous, and LGBTQIA2S+ communities
• Helps cover NARM exam, exam retake, and initial state licensure fees
• Awards distributed quarterly through a lottery system
• Designed to reduce financial barriers to entering the CPM profession

Eligibility Requirements:

• Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs) or student midwives
• Must identify as a midwife of color, Indigenous, and/or LGBTQIA2S+
• Verification from NARM required for exam-related funding
• CPM certification required for state licensure fee assistance
• Funds may only be used for approved credentialing and licensure costs

Deadline: Rolling (Quarterly Award Cycles)

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