The International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA) was founded after World War II, with its first meeting held in Copenhagen, Denmark, in May 1951. The founding members included England, Austria, the Federal Republic of Germany, Finland, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Denmark. The first General Assembly took place in London in July 1952, with thirty participants from ten countries.

Initially focused on European countries, IFMSA has grown significantly, now encompassing over 100 member organizations worldwide. The Federation has prioritized student mobility and exchanges, along with organizing conferences and workshops. In the 1950s, it successfully hosted Student International Clinical Conferences and launched various summer schools starting in 1963 in Denmark, the UK, and Scandinavia. Throughout the 1960s, IFMSA addressed issues like medical education, drugs, AIDS, and HIV, and initiated projects like Book Aid and Equipment Appeal to support students in developing countries.

The 1970s marked a shift towards decentralization, leading to the establishment of regional medical student organizations in Africa and Asia. Although the structure of regional vice-presidents was eventually abandoned, this effort highlighted the need for regional representation. In the early 1980s, IFMSA issued resolutions on topics such as Medical Education, the Prevention of Nuclear War, and Primary Health Care. The late 1980s saw the creation of the Village Concept Project to effect local change, and the start of Leadership Training Programs in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), some of which continue today.

IFMSA’s relationship with WHO began in 1969, resulting in a symposium on “Programmed Learning in Medical Education” and initiatives in immunology and tropical medicine. The Federation has also collaborated with UNESCO since 1971 and has been an official supporter of HIFA2015 (Healthcare Information For All by 2015) since 2007.

In the early 2000s, IFMSA established five regions to manage its growth and enhance national outreach. It adopted a new constitution and bylaws to align its work more effectively. August 2014 was a significant milestone when the Federation unanimously adopted a structural reform, implemented fully on October 1, 2015. This reform included the establishment of a permanent secretariat in Amsterdam, the transition from Projects to Programs, and the adoption of a three-year strategy.