Montana Rural Physician
Incentive Program
Program Summary
The Montana Rural Physician Incentive Program, authorized by the Montana Legislature in 1991 and amended in 1997 and 2007, was established to encourage physicians to practice in rural and medically underserved areas of Montana.
Toward this end, the Rural Physician Incentive Trust Fund was established to facilitate payment of qualified medical educational debts of physicians who serve communities or populations that are medically underserved and where there is a demonstrated need for medical services. The trust is funded by fees assessed to all Montana medical and osteopathic medical students participating in the WICHE and WWAMI medical programs.
Eligibility Requirements
Individuals eligible to apply for funds must be United States citizens, nationals, or foreign nationals who:
- Have a doctor of medicine or doctor of osteopathic medicine degree, and
- Are eligible for and obtain licensure in the State of Montana.
Additionally, MRPIP applicants are expected to:
- Have full hospital privileges within the broad community in which they practice.
- Apply for Federal NHSC loan repayment benefits if practice area/location qualifies.