Description/Background 

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Health Policy Fellows program seeks to build and maintain strong and diverse leadership and a workforce skilled in health policy.  For the past 50 years, fellows have had the opportunity to work hand-in-hand with key players in federal health policy and use that leadership experience to improve health, health care, and health policy. 

Since 1973, this non-partisan fellowship has offered direct, hands-on policy experience with the most influential congressional and executive offices in the nation’s capital to exceptional mid-career health professionals, behavioral/social scientists, and others with an interest in health and health care who: 

• Possess the skills and commitment to using the fellowship experience to provide leadership in improving health, health care, and health policy at the national, state, or local level; 

• Bring a depth of expertise and knowledge about health and health care to the policymaking process; and 

• Can offer an informed perspective on important and complex challenges facing health policymakers. 

More than 300 fellows from across the nation have gained an insider's perspective of the political process, develop unmatched leadership skills, and build a professional network that lasts a lifetime. 

The National Academy of Medicine (NAM) conducts and administers the fellowship, with funding support from RWJF. 

The Program 

The RWJF Health Policy Fellows program provides the nation's most comprehensive learning experience at the nexus of health, science, and policy in Washington, DC. It is an outstanding opportunity for exceptional midcareer health professionals and behavioral/social scientists with an interest in health and healthcare policy. Fellows participate in the policy process at the federal level and use that leadership experience to improve health equity, healthcare, and health policy. 

The fellowship requires a full-time commitment with a minimum 12-month residence in Washington, DC, which prepares individuals to influence the future of health and healthcare across the nation. 

The fellowship begins in September with an intensive three-and-a-half-month orientation arranged by the NAM, during which time the fellows meet with national leaders well-versed in health, healthcare 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. Fellows also participate in seminars on health economics; the congressional budget process; current priority issues in federal health policy; and the process for federal decision-making. The concentrated orientation is designed to prepare the fellows for immediate success in federal legislative and executive branch positions. 

The NAM will assist all fellows in setting up placement interviews. Each fellow is, however, solely responsible for selecting and securing their placement in a federal government office in Washington, DC, no later than January 15, 2025. 

Fellowship placements generally begin no later than January 31. During these assignments, fellows are full-time, contributing participants in the policy process with members of Congress, a congressional committee, or in the executive branch. Solely under the supervision of the office in which they are placed, fellows typically will: 

• 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. Fellows also take part in NAM meetings and with other health policy organizations. 

After the Washington residential experience, fellows become part of a nationwide alumni network and typically return to Washington each year to attend an Alumni Retreat and the NAM Annual Meeting, and to be briefed on issues and trends in health and healthcare policy. 

To Apply 

Applications for this solicitation must be submitted electronically via the RWJF online system. Visit 

www.rwjf.org/cfp/hpf16 and use the "Apply Online" link. If you have not already done so, you will be required to register at my.rwjf.org before you begin the application process. 

Please direct inquiries to: 

Phone: (202) 334-1506 

Email: info@healthpolicyfellows.org  

Applications close at 3:00 PM ET on November 5th, 2024. 

Eligibility Criteria 

• Exceptional midcareer professionals from academic institutions, not-for-profit organizations or government (including military; U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs; U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps; and state offices who are not considered government officials under Section 4946 of the Internal Revenue Code);
• Applicants must have earned an advanced degree (masters or doctoral degree);
• In addition, applicants must have deep experience and subject matter expertise: in a health-related discipline. Examples include, but are not limited to: medicine; nursing; public health; health professions; law; dentistry; social sciences (especially disciplines related to factors that influence population health such as housing, transportation, education, employment. etc.); health services; social work/behavioral health;
• Applicants whose official job description or responsibilities are primarily government relations or advocacy are not eligible.
• Individual candidates for receipt of award funds must be U.S. citizens, or permanent residents at the time of application. Because the RWJF Health Policy Fellows are placed in assignments in the federal government, changes in federal policy or law may necessitate that RWJF consider adjustments in eligibility and grant terms, as well as placements in the program.
• Additionally, individual candidates for receipt of award funds cannot be related by blood or marriage to any Officer or Trustee of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, or be a descendant of its founder, Robert Wood Johnson.

The Ideal Candidate 

Ideal candidates for this fellowship have a record of exceptional professional accomplishment and are recognized experts within their profession, community, institution, and/or organization. The fellowship strongly encourages individuals with diverse backgrounds, ideologies, and perspectives to apply. Candidates who come from professional backgrounds and disciplines that have not historically been represented are encouraged to highlight how their unique experiences support the goals of the program. 

Because of the unique nature of working on Capitol Hill or in the executive branch and the uncertainty that often accompanies the political process, individuals who are flexible, team players, and fast learners tend to be more successful. A positive attitude, confidence, sense of humor, humility, critical thinking, listening skills, discretion, and patience are highly regarded. Those with strong emotional intelligence and networking skills will be able to maximize the value of this experience in their subsequent roles as leaders and influencers committed to building a healthier and more equitable future for the nation. 

Midcareer 

Since we know that lives and careers follow many paths, we do NOT define "mid-career in terms of age or years of experience. Typically, our fellows have at least the equivalent of 10-15 years of full-time practice/work experience (beyond training/residency) and who are committed to contributing to the health policy field for at least 10 years after the fellowship. Successful applicants to this program have gained deep subject matter expertise in an area of health or healthcare and have a demonstrated track record of leadership activities and distinguished professional accomplishments. It is often helpful to refer to the “Ideal Candidate” description and the bios of current fellows to see examples of the types of backgrounds for successful applicants. 

Selection Criteria 

Members of the RWJF 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;
• Potential for significant contributions to improving health, equity, and wellbeing in the nation;
• Interpersonal and communications skills;
• Individual plans for incorporating the fellowship experience into specific career goals.

By mid-January 2025, the advisory board will select finalists from the applicants for in-person interviews in Washington, DC., which will be held in mid to late February 2025. Applicants who are selected for interviews will receive details about the remainder of the process upon invitation.