In honor of Rep. Frank Chopp’s life-long commitment to improving the lives of Washingtonians living with mental health and substance use problems, we invite you to help establish a new Chopp Scholars Program in Behavioral Health Policy.
Rep. Frank Chopp (D) laid the groundwork for much-needed investments in our state’s behavioral health care system over his long and impactful career. He represented the 43rd district in Washington for thirty years, providing strong advocacy to the Seattle neighborhoods of Fremont, Wallingford, the University District and Madison Park.
As Speaker of the House, he sponsored legislation to work with the University of Washington and UW Medicine to transform the state’s behavioral health care system. Chopp helped secure resources for a new Center for Behavioral Health and Learning, expanded residency training in psychiatry, and a 24/7 psychiatric consultation program serving every county in the state, among many other notable achievements.
The Chopp Scholars Program in Behavioral Health Policy is an innovative, interdisciplinary training program that arms clinicians with practical experience on how to advance behavioral health policy in Washington State. Chopp Scholars will become a strong and diverse community working together to improve access to effective behavioral health care in every Washington community.
Program Details
What will a Chopp Scholar do?
Chopp Scholars will:
- Shadow a member of the UW Medicine government relations team and/or a legislator
- Complete an independent self-directed behavioral health policy project
- Participate in networking dinners and events with behavioral health policy experts
- Learn alongside other UW faculty, staff, and trainees interested in behavioral health policy
- Become part of a state-wide network of clinicians engaged in behavioral health policy
Who is eligible?
UW trainees, faculty and staff who provide behavioral health care. Trainees should be planning a career as a mental health professional.
Each year, the program intends to accept between 5 and 10 scholars, with the long-term goal of creating a state-wide network of Chopp Policy Scholars.
When is the program?
Each program year will run from September to September and requires a one-year commitment.
Will scholars receive funding?
Scholars will receive up to $2,000 in funding for expenses such as books, conference registration fees, and other specialized expenses for their self-directed projects. Scholars may also receive up to $1,000 to reimburse travel expenses related to the program.
Application
Apply for the program’s inaugural cohort! Applications are due August 31st, 2026 at 11:59pm.
2026-2027 Cohort Application
Send your completed application to Andie Uomoto at uomotoa@uw.edu
Contact
For questions about the program and application process, please contact Andie Uomoto at uomotoa@uw.edu.
To support the Chopp Scholars Program and celebrate Rep. Chopp’s legacy, visit together.uw.edu/i/uw/campaign/chopp, or contact David Chow, director for philanthropy, at 206.543.7252 or chowd@uw.edu.