Organizer: Health And Aging Policy Fellows (HAPF)
Application Deadline: 16 March 2026
Location: USA
Opportunity Type: Fellowship
Program Duration: October 2026- September 2027

Overview 

With an aging population, one of the greatest challenges for the U.S. is ensuring that policies provide the best possible quality of life for all across all dimensions of society – from the communities where we live, the transportation we depend on, the food we eat, and the health care we receive. Success will require the translation of cutting-edge science and practical clinical experience into sound health policy. The goal of the Health and Aging Policy Fellows Program is to provide professionals in health and aging with the experience and skills necessary to help lead this effort, and in so doing, shape a healthy and productive future for older Americans.

The Program

The Health and Aging Policy Fellows Program offers two different tracks for individual placement: (1) a residential track that includes a nine-to-12-month placement in Washington, D.C. or at a state agency (as a legislative assistant in Congress, a professional staff member in an executive branch agency or in a policy organization); (2) a non-residential track that includes health policy work and brief placement(s) throughout the year at relevant sites. This work may be focused at a global, federal, state or community level.

Fellowship Tracks

The Behavioral Health Policy: Track enables Fellows to become effective leaders who help shape and implement behavioral health policies at the state and federal levels that improve the lives of older adults and those who care for them.

The Caregiver Policy: Track enables Fellows based in and serving Western New York and Southeastern Michigan to become effective leaders who help shape and implement family caregiving policies at the state and federal levels that would improve the lives of caregivers and those they care for.

The VA Program: Track enables VA employees to participate in the VA track as a non-residential fellow.

Core program components focused on career development and professional enrichment are provided for fellows in all tracks.

For more information about program tracks, please contact the HAPF National Program Office at hapfell@nyspi.columbia.edu.

Benefits 

All applicants must prepare a budget that reflects their employer/organizational or other funding support available to the applicant to support participation in the Fellowship. The Health and Aging Policy Fellows Program will supplement salary support to the extent that it is required and up to the limits indicated below.

Residential Fellows (full-time):

Unless otherwise agreed, the fellow will live in Washington DC from no later than mid-October through September of the fellowship year.

• The program will provide a stipend of up to $70,000 depending upon career stage and level of institutional support.
• A relocation budget will be provided for residential fellows up to a maximum of $4,500.
• Health benefits are available to full-time residential fellows, if not provided by another source, up to a maximum of $400/month.
• The program does not cover employment taxes, compensate for retirement savings, or adjust the stipend for cost-of-living differences.

Non-Residential Fellows (part-time):

All travel to Health and Aging Policy Fellows required events in Washington DC will be reimbursed by the National Program Office. Click here to review these events.

• All non-residential fellows are expected to secure employer/organizational support that will allow them to 1) fully participate in all mandatory events and activities organized by the Health and Aging Policy Fellows Program, including the six-week orientation in Washington DC, and 2) commit 20% of their time to their fellowship placement. Stipends of up to $15,000 are available on a limited basis for those unable to secure full institutional support, with priority given to those early in their careers. Such support will be provided on a case-by-case basis. The degree of employer/organizational support is a consideration when selecting fellows.
• No funds provided by the Health and Aging Policy Fellows Program can be spent on indirect costs to the fellow’s institution as per our funders’ policies.
• Placement-related travel support is available for non-residential fellows, up to a maximum of $10,000.

Eligibility/Requirements

• This fellowship is primarily designed for individuals who have completed professional training or who have a significant career track in the health and aging fields.
• Individuals who are completing their undergraduate degree are not eligible immediately upon graduation. 
• The program has a broad interdisciplinary focus, and fellows have included physicians, nurses, social workers, psychologists, dieticians, healthcare administrators, epidemiologists, economists, and lawyers from academic and practice settings, spanning career stages from newly minted PhDs to senior professors and community leaders. 
• Applicants must have a strong commitment to health and aging issues and should specify how the program would meet their particular career goals.
• Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. or its territories who have career plans that anticipate continued work in the U.S. after the fellowship period.

Selection Criteria

The Selection Committee will assess each applicant from the national pool based on the following criteria:

• Commitment to health and aging issues and improving the health and well-being of older Americans
• Potential for leadership in health policy
• Professional qualifications and achievements
• Future impact of the fellowship experience on the applicant’s career
• Interpersonal and written, and verbal communication skills
• Demonstration of an understanding of the policy concern discussed in your application

Selection Process

The NPO and Selection Committee will review all applications. Finalists will be scheduled for virtual interviews.

Important Dates

• Application deadline: 16 March 2026
• Applicants notified: May
• Interviews: June – July
• Pre-Orientation Period: September
• Programme begins: 1 October 2026

How to Apply 

Please follow the steps below:

1. Determine if this is the right time for you to apply:
The fellowship is a meaningful but time-intensive commitment. Residential Fellows are expected to maintain a full-time placement schedule, while Non-Residential Fellows commit at least one day per week, in addition to a 4–5 week orientation. Please take time to consider whether this is the right moment for you to pursue this opportunity before applying.

2. Ensure Approval:
Ensure you have approval from your institution to apply for the fellowship.

3. Complete your application using this Google form.

Please ensure you have filled out the application in its entirety and include all required materials, as incomplete applications will not be considered.

To assist with completing your application, please use the below documents as they are relevant to you. The Word documents can be used to help you build your application before entering the information into the Google form, and the PDF versions allow you to review the application in its entirely before starting in on the Google form:

• Residential Track application – Word document; PDF document
• Non-Residential Track application – Word document; PDF document
• Either Residential or Non-Residential Track application – Word document; PDF document

SPECIAL PROCEDURES FOR VA APPLICANTS:
VA applicants are required to secure approval from the VA prior to submitting an application. Details on VA application procedures may be found here: 2026-27 VA Health and Aging Policy Fellows Information Document.

For more information, please visit the Health and Aging Policy Fellows official page at:

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