Pathways to Apply

Understanding the Rhode Island Midwifery Equity Initiative (RIMEI) Expectation 

Background: RI Urban Perinatal Education Center, and the RI Department of Health have collaborated to support and sustain a hybrid learning Midwifery Equity Initiative. Certified Nurse Midwifery (CNM), Certified Midwifery (CM), and Certified Professional Midwifery (CPM).  CNM/CM are hospital based midwifery programs, CPM is out of hospital based midwifery program (Birth at Home or Birth Center)

We recognize barriers to entry for new and existing students through this pathway, which is why we are offering two additional pathway supports: 

Prerequisite Course Support: Prerequisites support through our online partnership with Sophia Learning platform, course reimbursement. We provide scholarship courses through Sophia partnership to meet requirements for students. Courses must be completed within required timeline for program fund reimbursement. 

Books and Equipment Support:  Accepted and enrolled students may need book support for their upcoming semester. We provide a scholarship application for those students who can provide us with copies of their syllabus for book purchase. This initiative supports existing students (not in the CPM EI) with both book and equipment support through application. 

Application Period: The period for the application is October 1st, 2024 to August 31, 2026 * 

CNM/CM Applicants: Each applicant must apply and provide evidence of acceptance into their institution. The applicant schools will be providing all curriculum and educational programming related to the cohort. The primary mandate of the RI Midwifery Equity Initiative Program is to be a fellowship that supplies selected students  supplemental support in the following areas such as tuition assistance, book/equipment stipend, and a collaborative student cohort experience for students. This program requires local residency for their CNM/CM programs in one of the following birthing hospitals: South County Hospital, Landmark Hospital, and Newport Hospital. 

1. Residency Requirement: This application is only open to one-year long or more residents of RI.

2. Applicants must meet the requirements and have gained full acceptance to their prospective program

a. Please note any pre-requisite requirement to gaining full acceptance that

must be satisfied: 

1.) Applicants' commitment to clinical placement at referenced local hospitals in need of Midwifery expansion

2.) Must be a RN (active, no students) 

3.) Must have a minimum of two years of RN experience (preferably in LDR/PostPartum Unit)

Those applicants for the CPM program do not require local preceptorship, but must have clinical placement and preceptorship secured prior to relocation considerations. Options for fellowship stipend support due to relocation. 

1. Residency Requirement: This application is only open to one-year long or more residents of RI.

2. Applicants must meet the requirements and have gained full acceptance to their prospective program

a. Please note a pre-requisite requirement to gaining full acceptance that

must be satisfied: 

1.) Applicants' commitment to traveling and clinical placement

2.) Approved preceptorship agreement/contract with appropriate volume completion for 2-3 years. 

Below are the approved education institutions for RI MEI program (at this time no other schools are eligible that do not meet the hybrid course model requirement) 

Certified Midwifery (CM)

Thomas Jefferson University (Admissions Deadline 6/1/26)

Certified Nursing Midwifery (CNM)

Frontier Nursing (Admissions Deadline 6/24/26)

George Washington University (Admissions Deadline 6/15/26)

Thomas Jefferson University (Admissions Deadline 6/1/26)

Old Dominion University (Admissions Deadline 5/1/26)

University of Cincinnati (Admissions Deadline (Admissions Deadline 3/1/26)

Bethel University (Admissions Deadline 3/1/26)

Certified Professional Midwifery (CPM) 

Mercy In Action (Admissions Deadline 3/5/26, 4/10/26, 5/15/26)

National Midwifery Institute (Admissions Deadline: NONE)

National College of Midwifery (Admissions Deadline: NONE)

Midwifery College of Utah (Admissions Deadline 2/15/26)

Commonsense School of Midwifery * opens every 3 years

Southwest Technical College (Admissions Deadline: NONE) 

Scholarships will be granted up to $5,000 per applicant. Applicants are eligible to apply for prerequisites for Fall application submission, no more than 4 course requirements, and a maximum of 4 courses reimbursed with program completion no later than 12 weeks. An additional option to apply for books and equipment, post application acceptance, and proof of enrollment. CNM must have an existing RN license for at least two year, with preference of experience in LDR. Prior accepted CPM RI EI applicants are not eligible for scholarships. 

Letters of Support for applicants will be requested; no letters from RIDOH or UPEC staff will be accepted.