Background and Objectives

One of today’s greatest policy challenges is how to ensure that the U.S. health care system can meet the needs of a rapidly increasing elderly population. Overcoming this challenge will require the translation of cutting-edge science and practical clinical experience into sound health policy. The goal of the Health and Aging Policy Fellows Program is to provide professionals in health and aging with the experience and skills necessary to help lead this effort, and in so doing, shape a healthy and productive future for older Americans.

The Program

The Health and Aging Policy Fellows Program offers two different tracks for individual placement: (1) a residential track that includes a nine-to-12-month placement in Washington, D.C. or at a state agency (as a legislative assistant in Congress, a professional staff member in an executive agency or in a policy organization); and (2) a non-residential track that includes a health policy project and brief placement(s) throughout the year at relevant sites.  Core program components focused on career development and professional enrichment are provided for fellows in both tracks.

Eligibility and Selection

Fellows will be selected each year through a national competition based on their commitment to health and aging issues, leadership potential, and interest in impacting policy.  The program will include individuals from multiple disciplines who have demonstrated an interest in health and aging policy, including professionals from academic or clinical settings as well as non-clinicians.  The program is open to U.S. citizens at all career stages, with a focus on those early or midway through their careers.  The program seeks to achieve racial, ethnic, gender, and discipline diversity; applicants from groups that historically have been underrepresented are strongly encouraged to apply.

Fellowship Stipend and Other Financial Support

Stipends for residential fellows will range and be commensurate with each individual’s current salary (up to $120,000, roughly approximate to the General Schedule (GS) Pay Scale for a board certified physician). In addition to a stipend, financial support will be provided for travel, relocation, and health insurance. Non-residential fellows will submit a budget proposal of up to $30,000 to cover related project costs which may also include support for a portion of their time spent participating in program activities. Travel costs to fellowship-related meetings for all fellows will be reimbursed by the National Program Office (NPO) and are in addition to residential fellows’ stipends and non-residential fellows’ budgets.

Fellows have the opportunity to apply for second year funding to continue components of their fellowship experience/project either at their placement sites, at the state/local levels, or with non-governmental organizations.

Program Funding

The Health and Aging Policy Fellows Program has been made possible through the generous support of The Atlantic Philanthropies.

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