How to Apply

2009-2010 Call for Applications is Now Closed.

2010-2011 Call for Applications will be posted in mid-September, 2009.

Direction and technical assistance for this program is provided by the Institute of Medicine at the National Academies, which serves as the NPO under the direction of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Policy Fellows Advisory Board.

Eligibility Criteria

Exceptional candidates from academic faculties and nonprofit health care organizations are encouraged to apply. Applicants may have backgrounds in the following disciplines: allied health professions; biomedical sciences; dentistry; economics or other social sciences; health services organization and administration; medicine; nursing; public health; or social and behavioral health.

Beginning in 2008, applicants will be able to select whether to apply from a sponsoring institution or as an individual. Track 1 applicants will maintain their affiliation with their originating academic institution or nonprofit health care organization. Track 2 applicants will have their fellowship stipend administered by the Institute of Medicine (IOM). See more details on the Administration of Fellowship Funds.

RWJF is committed to programs that embrace racial, ethnic and gender diversity, and encourages applications from candidates who come from groups that historically have been underrepresented. Applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States or its territories at the time of application. See more.

Selection Criteria

Members of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Policy Fellows Advisory Board will assess each applicant, based on the following criteria:

• Professional achievements.
• Potential for leadership in health policy.
• Potential for future growth and career advancement.
• Interpersonal and communication skills.
• Individual plans for incorporating the fellowship experience into specific career goals.

The Advisory Board will select semifinalists from the applicants and interview them in Washington, D.C. Applicants will be notified of their status in mid-January 2009. Interviews for the select group will take place in mid-February 2009. Those applicants who are selected for interviews will receive details about the remainder of the process upon invitation.

Total Awards

Up to 10 grants of up to $165,000 each will be made in 2009. Each fellow will receive up to $94,000 for the Washington stay (September 1, 2009 through August 31, 2010) in salary plus fringe benefits or fellowship stipend. Fellows will receive an additional allowance for relocation subject to limitations provided in detail on the program’s Web site.

Use of Grant Funds

Fellowship funds of up to $94,000 may be used for the residential stay (not to exceed the fellow’s salary prior to entering the program), from September 1, 2009 through August 31, 2010. The continuation of fringe benefits at levels corresponding to the level of stipend support being requested may be covered with the award and sponsoring institutions may supplement fellowship funds. Any remaining fellowship funds after the residential stay may be used for continued pre-approved leadership development, partial salary support, travel, research, conferences, educational pursuits and networking. Fellowship funds administered by the IOM, for Track 2 fellows, in addition to covering fellowship stipends during the Washington stay, may cover an optional health insurance program. The IOM will administer any remaining fellowship funds after the Washington stay for Track 2 fellows, or make arrangements to transfer those funds to a subsequent institutional sponsor.

For both Tracks: No additional direct costs (such as laptops or PDAs) or indirect costs are paid for during the first 12 months of this program. At no time are indirect costs allowable for the fellowship award. Fellows will be directly reimbursed for relocation expenses within limits specified by the IOM.

Fellows must commit 100 percent of their time to program activities during the first
12 months. On returning to their sponsoring organization or next position, fellows may undertake a pre-approved plan to continue their health policy leadership development. In the event that a fellow changes sponsors during the grant period, the fellow and the new sponsoring institution must prepare a plan subject to review and approval by the national program director. Grants are made to sponsoring institutions and must follow the RWJF funding guidelines. Grantees must meet RWJF requirements for the submission of annual financial and narrative reports, as well as a final written report upon completion of the program.

Application Package Summary

• A packet from the applicant containing: a cover letter; a preliminary sponsorship track statement indicating the source of sponsorship (Track 1 or Track 2); an up-to-date curriculum vitae; a biographical sketch; and three references.
• Brief essays on four program-specified topics.
• Track 1 semifinalists will also be required to submit:
  • a letter from the sponsoring institution’s chief executive officer affirming the institution’s willingness to administer the fellowship;
  • a proposed budget of up to $165,000;
  • a statement of willingness from the institution to serve as an adviser to the applicant; and
  • a statement of commitment from the institution to administer the grant and comply with RWJF’s grant reporting requirements.

Click here for the complete application package and instructions.

Download and Review the Complete Call for Applications.

Paper applications accepted only.

RWJF does not provide individual critiques of applications submitted.