Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Policy Fellows

Introduction & Purpose

The RWJF Health Policy Fellows program provides the nation’s most comprehensive midcareer learning experience at the intersection of health, science, and policy in Washington, D.C. Fellows participate in the policy process at the federal level and leverage that leadership experience to promote policies, practices, and systems changes that advance the health of the nation.

The fellowship requires a full-time commitment with a minimum 12-month residence in Washington, D.C., which prepares individuals to influence the future of health and its drivers in 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, drivers of health, think tanks and interest groups, 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 decisionmaking. 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 own placement in a federal government office in Washington, D.C., by January 15, 2028.

Eligibility & Selection 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 (master’s or doctoral degree);
• In addition, applicants must have developed deep subject matter experience in a health- related discipline and have at least 10 years of full-time work experience. Examples include but are not limited to 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, employment, education, and environmental and community conditions); health services and social work/behavioral health; and other health professions;
• 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. The RWJF Health Policy Fellows are placed in assignments in the federal government. Therefore, 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.
   

Key Dates & Deadlines

(All in 2026): August 25 (3 p.m. ET), September 2 (11 a.m. ET), September 22 (12 p.m. ET), October 7 (3 p.m. ET), October 27 (2 p.m. ET)
Optional applicant webinars. Registration is required through this link. 

October 30, 2026 (3 p.m. ET)
Deadline for receipt of three reference letters.

November 3, 2026 (3 p.m. ET)
Deadline for receipt of preliminary applications.

Mid-January 2027*
Selection and notification of finalists.

Mid-February 2027*
Deadline for receipt of full applications.

Late February 2027*
Finalist interviews with advisory committee.

Late February 2027*
Selection and notification

September 1, 2027
Start of fellowship.
 

*Exact dates to be determined.

Total Awards

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

Housing/Relocation: Fellows will be directly reimbursed for relocation and approved housing expenses through separate funds within limits specified by the NAM and RWJF up to $20,000.

For more details, refer to “Use of Funds” on page 6 of the Call for Applications.