Health and Aging Policy Fellowship 2026-2027 Call for Applications
The Health and Aging Policy Fellows Program is recruiting for the 2026-2027 Fellowship Year. Applications are due March 16, 2026.
With a rapidly aging population, one of the greatest challenges facing the U.S. is ensuring that policy keeps pace with the needs of older adults, their families and the systems that support them. Success requires leaders who can translate cutting-edge research, community experience and clinical insight into sound, equitable health policy.
The Health and Aging Policy Fellows Program aims to create a cadre of leaders who will serve as change agents in health and aging policy to ultimately improve the health and well-being of older adults. The year-long fellowship offers a rich and unique training and enrichment experience focused on current policy issues, communication skill-building and professional networking opportunities to prepare fellows to shape policy at multiple levels.
The program offers different tracks:
- Residential Track: A full-time, year-long placement in Washington, D.C. or at a state agency. Residential fellows immerse themselves in a policy-focused role such as serving as a legislative assistant in Congress, working as professional staff in an executive agency, or partnering with a policy or “think tank” organization.
- Non-Residential Track: Allows fellows to remain at their home institutions while dedicating at least 20% of their time to a virtual placement and/or policy project with federal agencies, Congressional offices or health and aging policy organizations. Fellows may work on projects at the global, federal, state, city or community level and may travel periodically during the year.
- VA Track: A specific non-residential track for Department of Veterans Affairs staff to represent the VA as a VA/Health and Aging Policy Fellow. Participants engage through the non-residential structure of the program.
- Caregiver Policy Track: Supports fellows based in Western New York and Southeastern Michigan in shaping and implementing family caregiving policies at the state and federal levels to improve the lives of caregivers and those they care for.
- Behavioral Health Policy Track: Prepares fellows to become effective leaders who help shape and advance behavioral health policies that improve the lives of older adults and their caregivers.
The one-year fellowship runs from October 1 – September 30 and has full-time and part-time tracks. The fellows represent a broad range of disciplines and career stages. Candidates from underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.
Learn more about the fellowship.
Learn more about how to apply for HAPF.
Learn more about JAHF's co-funding of HAPF.
