RWJF Health Policy Fellows Program 2027–2028 – US$175,000 Fellowship in Washington, DC
Join Our WhatsApp Channel for Latest UpdatesRWJF Health Policy Fellows Program 2027–2028 – US$175,000 Fellowship in Washington, DC
Prestigious fellowship for mid-career health professionals at Robert Wood Johnson Foundation & National Academy of Medicine – 12-month residential experience in Washington, DC
Complete guide to eligibility, benefits, fellowship structure, and application process
Quick Highlights
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) & National Academy of Medicine (NAM) |
| Program | Health Policy Fellows Program 2027–2028 |
| Location | Washington, DC |
| Duration | 12 Months (Residential) |
| Funding | Up to US$175,000 |
| Eligibility | US citizens/permanent residents, advanced degree, 10+ years experience |
| Disciplines | Medicine, Nursing, Public Health, Dentistry, Law, Economics, Social Sciences, Behavioral Health, Environmental Health |
| Deadline | 3 November 2026 (3:00 PM ET) |
| Official Website |
Opportunity Overview
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Host Organisation | Robert Wood Johnson Foundation & National Academy of Medicine |
| Opportunity Category | Fellowship |
| Location | Washington, DC |
| Duration | 12 Months |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Official Language | English |
About the Fellowship
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Health Policy Fellows Program has officially opened applications for its 2027–2028 cohort, offering an exceptional opportunity for experienced health professionals to gain hands-on experience shaping health policy at the highest levels of the United States federal government.
Administered by the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) , this prestigious nonpartisan fellowship is designed for accomplished mid-career professionals who are passionate about improving health systems and influencing public policy.
Established in 1973, the program has developed more than 300 influential leaders who have gone on to shape health policy, healthcare delivery, and public health initiatives across the United States.
Why You Should Apply
Prestigious Fellowship: One of the premier leadership fellowships for health professionals in the US.
Direct Policy Influence: Work with members of Congress, congressional committees, or executive branch agencies.
Comprehensive Funding: Up to US$175,000 over two years.
Leadership Development: Intensive training and executive coaching.
Alumni Network: Join an influential nationwide network of 300+ health policy leaders.
Fellowship Benefits
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Fellowship Award | Up to US$175,000 |
| Residential Support | Up to US$160,000 during the 12-month residential fellowship |
| Leadership Development | Executive training and coaching |
| Orientation | Intensive 3.5-month orientation by National Academy of Medicine |
| Placement | Direct placement within Congress or Executive Branch |
| Strategic Communications | Media and communication training |
| Networking | Opportunities with national policymakers |
| Alumni Network | Membership in influential nationwide network |
| Annual Retreats | Continued professional engagement |
Fellowship Structure
| Phase | Details |
|---|---|
| Orientation (September) | 3.5-month intensive orientation with Members of Congress, federal agency leaders, health policy experts, think tanks |
| Training | Federal health policy, congressional budget processes, health economics, federal decision-making, legislative procedures, leadership development |
| Placement (January) | Full members of policy teams in federal legislative or executive offices |
| Responsibilities | Developing health policy proposals, drafting legislation, preparing policy briefs, organizing hearings, briefing legislators |
| Seminars | Continuing leadership workshops and policy discussions |
| Presentation | Formal presentation on health policy issue encountered during placement |
Eligibility Requirements
| Criterion | Details |
|---|---|
| Citizenship | US citizens or permanent residents |
| Education | Advanced degree (Master's or Doctorate) |
| Experience | Approximately 10 or more years of professional experience beyond training |
| Expertise | Significant expertise in a health-related discipline |
| Leadership | Demonstrated leadership experience |
| Skills | Strong communication and interpersonal skills |
| Track 1 | Affiliated with an eligible sponsoring institution |
| Track 2 | Apply independently through NAM |
Eligible Disciplines
| Discipline | Details |
|---|---|
| Medicine | Physicians and medical specialists |
| Nursing | Advanced practice nurses, nurse leaders |
| Public Health | Public health professionals, epidemiologists |
| Dentistry | Dental professionals |
| Law | Health law, policy attorneys |
| Economics | Health economists |
| Social Sciences | Sociologists, political scientists |
| Social Work | Health social workers |
| Behavioral Health | Mental health professionals |
| Health Services | Health administration, management |
| Environmental Health | Environmental health professionals |
| Community Development | Community health leaders |
| Nutrition | Dietitians, nutritionists |
| Housing and Transportation Policy | Cross-sector professionals |
Selection Criteria
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Professional Accomplishments | Record of achievement |
| Leadership Potential | Capacity for future leadership |
| Career Growth Potential | Trajectory for advancement |
| Communication Skills | Written and verbal |
| Interpersonal Effectiveness | Collaboration and relationship-building |
| Vision | Applying fellowship to future leadership roles |
| Diversity | Encouraging underrepresented perspectives |
Ideal Candidate Qualities
Flexibility
Emotional intelligence
Critical thinking
Humility
Teamwork
Adaptability
Networking ability
Strong listening skills
Patience and discretion
Application Timeline
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications Open | August 2026 |
| Application Deadline | 3 November 2026 (3:00 PM ET) |
| Finalist Selection | January 2027 |
| Interviews | March 2027 (Washington, DC) |
| Orientation Begins | September 2027 |
| Federal Placements Begin | January 2028 |
Sponsoring Institution Options
| Track | Details |
|---|---|
| Track 1 | Applicants employed by eligible sponsoring institution – funds awarded directly to institution |
| Track 2 | Independent applicants without eligible sponsoring organization – NAM administers award directly |
Important Links
| Description | Official URL |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | |
| Official Website |
Frequently Asked Questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Q1. What is the RWJF Health Policy Fellows Program? | A prestigious fellowship for mid-career health professionals to shape health policy in Washington, DC. |
| Q2. Who can apply? | US citizens/permanent residents with advanced degree and 10+ years experience in health-related fields. |
| Q3. What is the funding amount? | Up to US$175,000 over two years. |
| Q4. What is the duration? | 12-month residential fellowship in Washington, DC. |
| Q5. What are the eligible disciplines? | Medicine, Nursing, Public Health, Dentistry, Law, Economics, Social Sciences, Behavioral Health, Environmental Health, Nutrition, and more. |
| Q6. What is the deadline? | 3 November 2026 (3:00 PM ET). |
| Q7. Where is the fellowship located? | Washington, DC. |
| Q8. How can I apply? | Apply online through the official RWJF Health Policy Fellows application portal. |
CareerFlora Expert Insight
The RWJF Health Policy Fellows Program is regarded as one of the United States' premier leadership fellowships for health professionals. Rather than focusing solely on academic research, it immerses participants in real-world policymaking where they contribute directly to legislation, federal health initiatives, and executive decision-making.
Graduates join an influential alumni network that continues to shape healthcare, public policy, academia, philanthropy, and government long after the fellowship concludes. For experienced professionals seeking to transition into national leadership roles or expand their influence on health policy, this fellowship offers an unparalleled opportunity.
Best Opportunity For
| Category | Suitable |
|---|---|
| Mid-Career Health Professionals | Yes |
| Physicians | Yes |
| Nurses | Yes |
| Public Health Professionals | Yes |
| Health Economists | Yes |
| Health Lawyers | Yes |
| Social Scientists | Yes |
| US Citizens | Yes |
| Permanent Residents | Yes |
| International Applicants | No |
Competition Level
| Category | Level |
|---|---|
| Overall Competition | Very High |
| Selection Difficulty | Very Difficult |
| Application Complexity | High |
CareerFlora Recommendation
| Recommendation Area | Details |
|---|---|
| Funding Value | Excellent |
| Career Growth | Very High |
| Application Difficulty | High |
| Apply Early | Strongly Recommended |
Final Call-to-Action
Apply for RWJF Health Policy Fellows Program 2027–2028 before 3 November 2026 (3:00 PM ET).
Visit the official website: https://healthpolicyfellows.org/become-a-fellow/
Review eligibility and application guidelines.
Prepare your application materials.
Submit before the deadline.
Follow CareerFlora for the latest updates.
