Program
The RWJF Health Policy Fellows program offers mid-career professionals the opportunity to participate in the policy process at the federal level and use that leadership experience to improve health, health care, and health policy.
What can Fellows expect?
The RWJF Fellowship is comprised of two unique experiences: an immersive orientation period and a hands-on placement working as a senior advisor to an elected or appointed federal government official. Starting with an intensive three-and-a-half-month orientation arranged by the NAM, fellows have the opportunity to meet with national leaders well-versed in health, health care policy, health equity, social determinants of health, and structural racism; think tanks and interest groups; key executive branch officials; and members of Congress and their staffs. During this time, fellows participate in seminars on health economics; the congressional budget process; current priority issues in federal health policy; and the process for federal decision-making.
This concentrated orientation is designed to prepare the fellows for immediate success in the second phase: their placements in the federal legislative and executive branches.
What do Fellows do?
Fellows serve as senior advisors to key health policy decision-makers in Washington, DC. They participate in the policy process with members of Congress, a congressional committee, or the executive branch. Under the supervision of the office in which they are placed. Fellows typically:
- help develop legislative or regulatory proposals;
- organize hearings, briefings, and stakeholder meetings;
- meet with constituents; and
- brief legislators or senior administration officials on a range of health issues.
Fellowship assignments are supplemented throughout the year by nonpartisan seminars and group discussions on contemporary federal policy topics, as well as media/strategic communications training and leadership development activities. Fellows prepare a formal presentation on a health policy issue with which they have been engaged and take part in NAM meetings with other health policy organizations.
Prospective applicants should review the application guidelines before applying. Applicants will be asked to submit an updated curriculum vitae (CV) and two personal essays. Learn more about the RWJF Fellowship application.
Want to know more about what its like to be a Fellow?
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