Freddie Fu Sports Medicine Scholarship 2026 (USA): $2,000 Award + Paid Hospital Internship

The UPMC Freddie Fu Sports Medicine Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania has officially announced the 2026 Freddie Fu Sports Medicine Scholarship Program. The program will award a $2,000 scholarship to a selected high school senior along with a six-week paid summer internship at the UPMC Freddie Fu Sports Medicine Center and the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex. Applications must be submitted by April 11, 2026.

About the Scholarship

This program was created to encourage students to pursue careers in sports medicine and rehabilitation. It combines financial support with direct hospital experience, giving one student a chance to learn inside a real clinical environment.

The selected recipient will not only receive scholarship funding but will also work alongside medical professionals and observe patient care and athlete rehabilitation.

During the internship, the student will:

• Observe patient evaluations and treatments

• Watch rehabilitation sessions with physical therapists

• Observe athletic trainers working with athletes

• Spend time in the Sports Performance Department

• Observe orthopaedic surgeries performed by surgeons

The intern will also help clinic staff with simple responsibilities similar to a physical therapy aide, such as preparing treatment areas, greeting patients, and assisting with therapy equipment.

Internship Duration

• Length: 6 weeks (summer 2026)

• Work hours: About 20–22 hours per week

• Location:

  • UPMC Freddie Fu Sports Medicine Center

  • UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex, Pittsburgh

The internship is a paid hourly position in addition to the scholarship award.

Scholarship Amount

• $2,000 scholarship (before taxes)

• Paid clinical internship experience

• Direct exposure to sports medicine careers

Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Be a Western Pennsylvania resident

• Be entering senior year of high school in September 2026

• Show strong interest in a sports medicine career

The committee selects candidates based on:

• Academic performance

• Career commitment to sports medicine

• Leadership ability

• Community involvement

Application Requirements

Students must complete all of the following:

• Signed application form

• Two recommendation letters

• School Counselor Form (completed by counselor)

• Personal statements describing:

  • Interest in sports medicine

  • Leadership and community service

  • Why they are a strong candidate

All documents must be mailed to:

Rob McCabe, MS, LAT, ATC
Manager, Athletic Training & Development
UPMC Rooney Sports Complex
Freddie Fu Sports Medicine Center
3200 South Water St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15203

Important Dates

• Applications distributed: February 2026

• Application deadline: April 11, 2026 (postmarked)

• Interviews: Top 3–5 candidates selected

• Final decision announced: May 22, 2026

• Internship: Summer 2026 (6 weeks)

Selection Process

All applications are reviewed by a scholarship committee. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed, and one student will be selected for the scholarship and internship placement.

Before starting, the selected student must complete UPMC pre-employment requirements such as:

• Health assessment

• Background check

Students must also arrange their own transportation to the clinics.

Why This Opportunity Is Valuable

For high school students planning careers in:

• Sports medicine

• Physical therapy

• Athletic training

• Orthopaedics

• Exercise science

this program offers something very rare — hospital exposure before college.

Students get to see real patient care, rehabilitation programs, and surgical procedures. Experiences like this often help students decide their career path early and strengthen future college or medical school applications.

Contact

For questions, students may contact:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 412-432-3771

The Freddie Fu Sports Medicine Scholarship is a strong starting point for students who want to work with athletes, injuries, and rehabilitation in the future. With both financial support and clinical learning, it gives practical exposure that most students only receive much later in their education.

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