Health Policy Fellows program – Nov 3

Posted by Robert Wood Johnson Foundation on October 7, 2025

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation invites applications for Health Policy Fellows program

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) invites applications for its Health Policy Fellows program, which aims to create a highly effective community of health policy leaders committed to advancing health across the country.

The Health Policy Fellows program provides mid-career professionals with the nation’s most comprehensive learning experience at the intersection of health, science, and policy in Washington, D.C. The foundation seeks applicants with deep experience and subject matter expertise as health professionals, behavioral and social scientists, and others with an interest in health and its drivers.

During their placements, fellows will be full-time, contributing participants in the national policymaking process in congressional or executive branch offices of their choosing. The activities during the fellowship—developing legislative proposals, organizing hearings, meeting with constituents, briefing officials on health issues—will advance fellows’ leadership skills in health policy and their ability to influence policymaking to improve health. The National Academy of Medicine (NAM) conducts and administers the fellowship, with funding from RWJF. Applicants should be committed to contributing to the health policy field for at least 10 years after the fellowship.

The fellowship strongly encourages individuals with diverse backgrounds, ideologies, and perspectives to apply. The program will provide $175,000 per fellow over a period of 12-24 months for up to eight fellows. Fellows will be directly reimbursed for relocation and approved housing expenses through separate funds within limits specified by the NAM and RWJF.

Eligible applicants accomplished mid-career professionals from academic institutions, not-for-profit organizations, or government (including military; U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs; U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps; and state offices who are not considered government officials under section 4946 of the Internal Revenue Code).

Applicants must have earned an advanced degree (masters or doctoral degree). In addition, applicants must have deep experience and subject matter expertise in a health-related discipline. Examples include but are not limited to medicine, nursing, public health, law, dentistry, economics, and other social sciences (especially disciplines related to factors that influence population health, such as housing, transportation, nutrition, wealth, employment, education, and environmental and community conditions), and health services and social work/behavioral health. Individual candidates must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents at the time of application.

Three reference letters are due October 31, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. ET, with preliminary applications due November 3, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. ET. Selected finalists will be invited to submit full applications, due February 2026.

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

Deadline: November 3, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. ET (Preliminary applications)