Health Policy Research Scholars Program – Mar 11

Posted by Robert Wood Johnson Foundation on February 4, 2025

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation invites applications for Health Policy Research Scholars Program

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation invites applications for its Health Policy Research Scholars (HPRS) program.

The four-year national leadership development program provides support for full-time doctoral students from nonclinical, research-focused disciplines in which policy is a key driver of change (e.g., urban planning, political science, economics, anthropology, education, social work, sociology, engineering, geography, and lab/bench sciences). The program is for doctoral students who want to ensure their research is aligned with the health needs of communities and in service of health, well-being, and equity; challenge longstanding, entrenched harmful systems; exhibit new ways of working; collaborate across disciplines and sectors; and bolster their leadership skills. HPRS offers training in health policy, including the various stages of the policy process, approaches to systems change, and how to craft an actionable research question that can inform solutions to advance health equity—as well as mentorship, and career and leadership coaching. HPRS is a community of research leaders who will advance health equity and make impactful societal change.

Up to 40 scholars will be selected for the 2025 cohort, which will be the program’s final cohort. Scholars will receive an annual stipend of $30,000 for up to four years or until they complete their doctoral program (whichever is sooner). Home institutions may include an administrative fee of $1,000 per year, $4,000 in total to the grant amount to cover the administrative costs of managing the award.

Applicants must be starting full-time, second-year doctoral studies in fall 2025 at a degree-granting institution based in the United States or its territories. Applicants must remain full-time while enrolled in HPRS; must have at least three academic years remaining in their doctoral program and not expect to graduate before spring/summer 2028; must be from a marginalized background; and be able to describe how their background, identity, or lived experiences have positioned them to contribute to the goals of the program. Examples of marginalized backgrounds include but are not limited to first- generation college graduates, individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, individuals from minoritized populations, and individuals with disabilities.

For complete program guidelines and application instructions, see the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation website.

Deadline: March 11, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. ET