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Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many fellows will be chosen per year? We expect to select six to eight fellows per year through the first few years of the program, and up to 10 fellows per year in the later years of the program. 2. What is the duration of the meetings fellows are expected to attend? Aging Policy Orientation - 1.5 days 3. Are fellows expected to attend all of the meetings? Yes, fellows are expected to attend all of the meetings. Each meeting is specifically designed to achieve certain goals. The meetings provide fellows with the opportunity to learn about current health and aging issues, gain in-depth knowledge on the policymaking process, and develop skills needed to influence policy. In addition, the meetings allow fellows to network with leaders and key players in the field of health and aging and policy, and with other fellows. 4. What are "mentoring pods" and "coaches"? The NPO will organize "mentoring pods" comprised of two to three mentors and two to three fellows for co-mentoring, support, feedback, and shared learning built around a team policy project. These pods will also have regularly scheduled conference calls. "Coaches" will be identified to train fellows on needed skills (e.g., communicating to policymakers and the media, negotiation skills, etc.). 5. How will policy projects and short-term placements for non-residential fellows be determined? The health policy projects may be national, state, local, or institution-based and will be designed to further the objectives of the fellows' individualized learning objectives and plans. Content and duration of the brief placements will be determined on a case-by-case basis. 6. What level of stipend and financial support will be provided? Because the program will include professionals from different disciplines and career stages (with different salary histories), stipends for residential fellows will range and be commensurate with each individual’s current salary (up to $120,000 annually, roughly approximate to the General Schedule Pay Scale (GS) for a board certified physician). In addition to a stipend, financial support will be provided for travel (for one trip for pre-fellowship arrangements and to fellowship-related meetings), relocation ($3,500), and health insurance (up to $400/month). Non-residential fellows will be required to submit a budget proposal of up to $30,000 to cover related fellowship and travel costs and may also include support for a portion of their time devoted to participation in the program. Travel to fellowship related meetings will be reimbursed by the NPO. 7. What are examples of residential placements? A geriatrician from Florida placed in the office of a Representative from Florida whose district has a large percent of adults 65+. The fellow builds on the Congressman's interest and augments the office's expertise in issues around the future health care workforce for older Americans and increasing consumer involvement in Medicare (as well as other issues on the legislative agenda). A nurse researcher working with a Representative on the House Ways and Means Committee with a particular focus on nursing home quality and addressing incentives around nursing home care (as well as other areas on the legislative agenda). 8. What are examples of non-residential placements and projects? An Associate Professor in Social Work from California working with the California Department of Aging on quality of nursing home care and evaluating options for long-term care financing. In addition to working with the state office, the fellow would have meetings at CMS, National Governors Association, Congress, American Health Care Association, and the California Nursing Home Association. An Assistant Professor who has done work on medication simplification/coordination working on a Medicare Part D implementation project. In addition to meeting with officials at CMS, the fellow would have meetings at AARP, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Senate and House Committees, the Administration on Aging, the Urban Institute, the National Quality Forum, and the American Enterprise Institute. 9. How will the NPO provide support for the network of alumni beyond the fellowship year? The NPO will provide transitional and post-fellowship mentoring to all fellows. In addition, through involvement of alumni in ongoing fellowship activities, current and alumni fellows will become part of a network of peer mentors, with alumni fellows serving as peer mentors to current fellows. This will provide an opportunity for alumni fellows to remain engaged in the program and expand their networks. The alumni network will be strengthened through various mechanisms, including a fellowship website and a listserv that will enable fellows to share ideas on current issues in health and aging policy. 10. Are there specific quotas for selecting fellows based on discipline or other factors? Although the selection committee will not follow any set quotas for selecting fellows, the goal is that an appropriate and diverse mix of the three core disciplines (medicine, nursing and social work) and of professionals with diverse career experiences and interests will be represented in the final selection of fellows. The program will also make every effort to attract applicants from underrepresented groups. Selection will be based on the applicant’s potential for leadership in health policy, professional qualifications and achievements, impact of the fellowship experience on the applicant’s career, and interpersonal and communication skills. 11. Does one need to be currently providing clinical services to be eligible to apply? We want professionals with some clinical training and background, but they don't need to currently be involved in providing clinical services. Under special circumstances, exceptions may be made for non-clinicians (e.g., public health administrators) who are in positions that can impact health policy for older Americans at a clinical level. 12. Do residential fellows need to submit a policy project? No. The residential model provides fellows with a hands-on policy experience in settings that offer exposure to a wide range of policy issues. Each fellow in the residential track will work with colleagues in his/her placement site to determine tasks and roles. 13. Are there any geographical restrictions or requirements for residential fellows? The Program does not have geographical restrictions or requirements. Residential fellows may find placements at the federal or state level. We anticipate that the majority of the fellows in the inaugural class will find placements at the federal level most commonly in Congress and live in Washington, D.C. Residential fellows who would like to be placed with state agencies are not restricted to their own states, but the placements must provide a good fit with fellows' interests. 14. Do non-residential fellows have to leave their employment to participate in the program? No. The non-residential model is designed for fellows to work on a policy project and participate in the meetings of the Core Program Components while staying at their current positions. 15. How much time is a non-residential fellow expected to commit to the program? All fellows must attend the meetings described in FAQ #2. Time commitments to non-residential fellows' policy projects are determined on an individual case-by-case basis. 16. Are indirect costs allowed in non-residential fellows' budgets? The program will allow indirect costs up to 10% of the total non-residential budget. 17. What are acceptable as in-kind resources from the fellow's institution? Applicants should show that their home institution is engaged and committed to supporting the applicant's participation in the program. In-kind support is viewed very broadly. Examples of in-kind support can include: freeing up time for the Fellow to work on the fellowship project and attend the fellowship meetings, providing access to formal leadership training programs, providing resources necessary for completion of the fellow's project, etc. 18. Are there restrictions on the number of times unsuccessful applicants may reapply? No, there are no restrictions on applicants reapplying to the program if not successful previously.
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