The Bigger Table Fund

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NACPM’s Bigger Table Fund is a scholarship initiative to help grow a racially, ethnically and socially representative CPM workforce to meet the urgent needs of childbearing people in our country.  

This Fund provides financial awards for student midwives of color, Indigenous and/or LGBTQIA2S+ student midwives for:

  • the initial NARM examination fee

  • the fee for retaking the NARM examination when needed

  • one-time initial state licensing fees

The goal of the Fund is to remove some of the significant financial barriers faced by students and midwives of color and from Indigenous and LGBTQIA2S+ communities to entering the CPM profession.  This Fund is an NACPM response to direct community requests and feedback and from “Women of Color Entering Midwifery”, an assessment of unmet needs, by Nancy Anderson, MD, MPH, commissioned by NACPM.   Recognizing the impact of limited access for people of color to CPM care and the acute lack of diversity and representation in the midwifery workforce, NACPM is committed to investing in the systemic changes and direct support needed to open pathways for more Black, Indigenous, LGBTQIA2S+, and other midwives of color to enter the profession, and for opportunities for midwives of color to build and sustain their midwifery practices.  

  • up to $3000 is distributed quarterly, according to a lottery system and dependent on available funds.

  • The maximum individual award is $1,000.  


Annual Application Deadlines

January 15, April 15, July 15, October 15

Annual Award Announcement Days

February 1, May 1, August 1, November 1

Bigger Table Fund FAQ

Who is eligible to apply for a BTF grant? CPMs and student midwives of color, indigenous and/or LGBTQIA2S+ student midwives are welcome to apply. You only need to confirm that you belong to one of the qualifying groups; however, you do not need to state of which group you are a part.

What can the BTF grant be used for? Funds distributed from The Bigger Table Fund can we used towards the initial NARM examination fee, the fee for retaking the NARM examination, and state licensure fees.

How much money is distributed each cycle? Each quarterly cycle, NACPM distributes up to $3,000 from the Bigger Table Fund.

What is the maximum award that can be distributed to an individual? The maximum award distributed to an individual is $1,000 per cycle.

If I was already a recipient of funds from The Bigger Table Fund, can I apply again? Absolutely! So long as you need assistance with fees associated with the initial NARM examination fee, the fee for retaking the NARM examination and/ or state licensure fees, you are welcome to apply.

I recently took the NARM exam, can I apply for reimbursement funds? Yes! So long as you took the exam within 3 months of the start of the current BTF award cycle, you are eligible.

How are BTF recipients awarded? All applications are reviewed for completeness. Each completed application will be entered into a random drawing and recipients will be notified.

Can I apply for funding for a state license if I am not a CPM? I practice in a state that does not require the CPM for licensure. The Bigger Table Fund provides funding for students who are becoming CPMs and CPMs who are becoming licensed in their states. We do not offer funding for non-CPM licensed midwives, CNMs, or CMs.

What verification must I provide to apply for funds towards the NARM exam or re-take exam? Applicants must submit verification of eligibility from NARM as part of the application.

What information must I provide to apply for funds towards my state licensure fees? Applicants must indicate the exact amount of the state licensure fee as part of the application and submit verification of their CPM certification.

What are the application deadlines?

  • Cycle 1 : January 15th

  • Cycle 2: April 15th

  • Cycle 3: July 15th C

  • Cycle 4: October 15th

How can I donate to The Bigger Table Fund? If you would like to make a contribution towards The Bigger Table Fund and help to alleviate some of the significant barriers that student midwives of color, indigenous and/or LGBTQIA2S+ student midwives face when entering the CPM profession, you can do so below: