RWJF Health Policy Fellows 2027-28 Cohort Applications Are Open

Applications for the 2027-28 cohort will open on August 4 and close at 3 PM ET on November 3, 2026.

About the role

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Health Policy Fellows program offers mid-career health and health care leaders with deep subject-matter expertise a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to shape health policy at the highest levels of government. This Washington, DC-based, nonpartisan fellowship includes a 3.5-month policy orientation, followed by a placement as a senior advisor in a legislative or executive branch office or committee.

Successful applicants typically have at least 10 to 15 years of full-time work experience and foresee contributing to health policy for at least 10 years after the fellowship. The National Academy of Medicine (NAM) conducts and administers the fellowship, with funding support from RWJF. The fellowship requires a full-time commitment with a minimum 12-month residence in Washington, DC.

The fellowship begins in early September with an intensive three-and-a-half-month orientation arranged by the NAM, during which fellows meet with national leaders well-versed in health and health care policy; think tanks and interest groups; key executive branch officials; and members of Congress and their staff. Fellows also participate in seminars on health economics; the congressional budget process; priority issues in federal health policy; and the process for federal decision-making.

The NAM will assist all fellows in setting up placement interviews in a federal government office in Washington, DC. Fellowship placements generally begin in January. 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. Under the supervision of the office in which they are placed, fellows typically:

• Help develop legislative or regulatory proposals
• Organize hearings, briefings, and stakeholder meetings
• Meet with constituents
• Brief legislators or senior administration officials on a range of health issues

Fellowship assignments are supplemented throughout the year by non-partisan 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 and take part in meetings with the NAM and other health policy organizations throughout the year.

Fellows may request approval to extend the Washington, DC, stay past the 12-month residential period in August (until December), when the legislative session ends. After the Washington, DC residential experience, fellows become part of a nationwide alumni network and typically return to Washington, DC, each year to attend an alumni retreat and the NAM Annual Meeting, and to be briefed on issues and trends in health and health care policy.

Requirements

• Exceptional mid-career professionals with 10+ years of experience 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)
• Earned an advanced degree (masters or doctoral degree)
• Deep experience and subject-matter expertise in a health-related discipline, such as:
  • Medicine
  • Nursing
  • Public health
  • Law
  • Dentistry
  • Economics and other social sciences (especially disciplines related to factors that influence population health, such as housing, transportation, nutrition, wealth, employment, education, and environmental and community conditions)
  • Health services and social work/behavioral health
  • Other health professions
• Applicants whose official job description or responsibilities are primarily government relations or advocacy are not eligible
• U.S. citizens or permanent residents at the time of application
• 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

Who should apply

The ideal candidate has a record of exceptional professional accomplishment and is a recognized expert within their profession, community, institution, and/or organization. The fellowship strongly encourages individuals with diverse backgrounds, ideologies, and perspectives to apply, particularly those from professional backgrounds and disciplines that have not historically been represented.

Candidates who are flexible, team players, and fast learners tend to be more successful due to the unique nature of working on Capitol Hill or in the executive branch. A positive attitude, confidence, sense of humor, humility, critical thinking, listening skills, discretion, and patience are highly regarded. Strong emotional intelligence and networking skills are valuable for maximizing the fellowship experience.

Mid-career is not defined by age or years since graduation. Typically, fellows have at least 10-15 years of full-time practice/work experience (beyond training/residency) and are committed to contributing to the health policy field for at least 10 years after the fellowship. Successful applicants have a demonstrated track record of leadership activities and distinguished professional accomplishments.

Pay

Stipend: $175,000 per fellow over a period of 12-24 months (for up to eight fellows).

Fellows will be directly reimbursed for relocation and approved housing expenses through separate funds within limits specified by the NAM and RWJF.