The Commonwealth Fund offers a range of prestigious fellowship programmes designed to develop the next generation of leaders in health policy, healthcare delivery, journalism, and academic research. For the 2026–2027 fellowship cycles, eligible professionals, researchers, physicians, journalists, and policy experts can apply for fully funded opportunities that support international collaboration, leadership development, and evidence-based solutions to pressing healthcare challenges. This guide highlights the fellowships offered by The Commonwealth Fund, including their objectives, eligibility requirements, benefits, and application timelines.
The Commonwealth Fund invests in leadership development through several fellowships focused on health policy, health equity, and improving care for vulnerable populations. Below is a full list of the main fellowships currently active or expected in the 2026–2027 period, with key application details.
1. Harkness Fellowships in Health Care Policy and Practice
The Harkness Fellowships in Health Care Policy and Practice are a prestigious international fellowship program offered by The Commonwealth Fund. The program provides experienced health care professionals, researchers, clinicians, and policymakers from selected countries with the opportunity to spend up to one year in the United States conducting independent research on health care policy and practice.
The fellowship aims to develop future leaders who can improve the performance of health care systems by generating evidence-based policy recommendations and fostering international collaboration. Fellows work with leading U.S. universities, research institutions, and health policy organizations while being mentored by experts in their field.
Key Objectives
The Harkness Fellowships are designed to:
- Advance research on health care policy and health system performance.
- Develop leadership skills among mid-career health professionals.
- Promote international collaboration and knowledge exchange.
- Improve access, quality, equity, and efficiency in health care systems.
- Support evidence-based policy development that benefits both the fellow’s home country and the global health community.
Who Can Apply?
Although eligibility varies slightly by country, applicants are generally expected to:
- Be mid-career professionals with significant experience in health care, public health, medicine, nursing, health economics, health services research, or public policy.
- Demonstrate leadership potential and a strong commitment to improving health care.
- Propose a policy-relevant research project that can be completed during the fellowship.
- Return to their home country after completing the fellowship to apply the knowledge and experience gained.
Fellowship Benefits
Successful Harkness Fellows typically receive:
- A generous living stipend.
- Round-trip airfare to the United States.
- Health insurance coverage.
- Research and project support.
- Professional development opportunities.
- Mentorship from leading U.S. health policy experts.
- Access to a global network of Harkness alumni and health policy leaders.
Duration
The fellowship generally lasts up to 12 months, during which fellows conduct research, participate in leadership development activities, and engage with policymakers, academics, and healthcare organizations across the United States.
The Harkness Fellowships are widely regarded as one of the world’s leading international programs for advancing health policy research and developing leaders committed to improving healthcare systems globally.
Flagship international programme
- Focus: Mid-career professionals conduct policy-oriented research comparing the U.S. health system with their home country, while developing leadership skills.
- Eligible countries: Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, United Kingdom.
- Duration: Approximately 12 months in the United States (starting around September 2027 for the next cycle).
- Benefits: Monthly living stipend (approx. USD 8,000–8,500), research funding, round-trip airfare, relocation support, health insurance, and tax coverage. Family supplements available.
- 2026–27 Cycle: No call for applications (skipped).
- 2027–28 Cycle:
- Applications open: 1 June 2026
- Deadline: 1 November 2026
- Interviews: January–February 2027
- Fellowship begins: September 2027
- Application: Through the Harkness Fellowship Portal (statement of objectives, CV, project proposal, 3 references, work samples).
2. Commonwealth Fund Fellowship in Health Policy Leadership at Harvard University
The Commonwealth Fund Fellowship in Health Policy Leadership at Harvard University is a leadership development program offered by The Commonwealth Fund in partnership with Harvard University. The fellowship is designed to equip mid-career healthcare professionals with the leadership, policy, and management skills needed to improve healthcare systems and advance health equity in the United States.
Unlike the Harkness Fellowships, which focus primarily on independent research by international fellows, the Commonwealth Fund Fellowship in Health Policy Leadership at Harvard University emphasizes executive leadership development, policy analysis, and practical strategies for leading change in healthcare organizations and public health systems.
Purpose of the Fellowship
The fellowship aims to prepare emerging healthcare leaders to:
- Strengthen leadership and management skills.
- Develop innovative health policy solutions.
- Improve healthcare quality, access, and equity.
- Lead organizational and system-wide change.
- Build networks with healthcare leaders, policymakers, and academics.
Program Structure
The fellowship combines:
- Executive education at Harvard University.
- Leadership and policy seminars.
- Mentorship from experienced healthcare and policy leaders.
- Collaborative learning with a cohort of fellows.
- Practical projects focused on addressing real-world healthcare challenges.
Participants gain exposure to current issues in healthcare financing, public health, health equity, leadership, and policy implementation.
Who Can Apply?
The fellowship is intended for mid-career healthcare professionals who have demonstrated leadership potential. Eligible applicants typically include:
- Physicians
- Nurses
- Public health professionals
- Health system administrators
- Healthcare executives
- Policy leaders
- Clinicians and other professionals working to improve healthcare delivery
Applicants are generally expected to have several years of professional experience and a strong commitment to advancing health equity and improving health systems.
Fellowship Benefits
Successful fellows receive support that may include:
- Tuition for the executive education program at Harvard University.
- Leadership and professional development training.
- Mentorship and coaching from experts.
- Opportunities to collaborate with healthcare leaders across the United States.
- Access to Harvard University’s academic and professional resources.
- Membership in The Commonwealth Fund’s network of health policy leaders and alumni.
Program Focus
The fellowship focuses on developing leaders who can address critical healthcare issues such as:
- Health equity
- Healthcare access
- Quality improvement
- Healthcare financing
- Public health policy
- Organizational leadership
- System transformation
Domestic U.S. leadership programme for physicians
- Focus: Prepares physicians to become leaders who improve health for disadvantaged, vulnerable, and uninsured populations through systems change and health equity.
- Structure: One-year full-time programme leading to an MPH (Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health) or MPA (Harvard Kennedy School).
- Eligibility: U.S. physicians who have completed residency (Board Eligible/Certified preferred); U.S. citizens or permanent residents; demonstrated leadership potential and interest in health equity.
- Benefits: Full tuition, USD 80,000 stipend, health insurance, books, travel, and practicum support.
- 2026–27 Cycle:
- Application deadline: 1 December 2025 (extended in some announcements to 8 December 2025)
- Simultaneous applications required to the Fellowship and the relevant Harvard degree programme.
- Expected 2027–28 Cycle: Likely similar timeline (applications around late 2026 for a July 2027 start). Check the official site for confirmation.
By the end of the program, fellows are expected to return to their organizations with enhanced leadership skills and practical strategies for driving meaningful improvements in healthcare delivery and health policy.
Note: This fellowship is different from the Harkness Fellowships in Health Care Policy and Practice. While both are supported by The Commonwealth Fund, the Harkness Fellowship is an international research fellowship centered on policy research in the United States, whereas the Harvard fellowship is primarily a leadership development program designed to strengthen executive leadership in health policy and healthcare management.
3. Pozen-Commonwealth Fund Fellowship in Health Equity Leadership at Yale University
The Pozen–Commonwealth Fund Fellowship in Health Equity Leadership at Yale University is a prestigious leadership development program jointly sponsored by The Commonwealth Fund and Yale University. The fellowship is designed to prepare healthcare professionals to become leaders in advancing health equity by addressing disparities in healthcare access, quality, and outcomes across diverse populations.
The program combines executive education, leadership training, mentorship, and collaborative learning to help fellows develop the knowledge and skills needed to design and implement equitable healthcare policies and practices within their organizations and communities.
Purpose of the Fellowship
The fellowship aims to develop healthcare leaders who can:
- Advance health equity through evidence-based leadership.
- Address disparities in healthcare access, quality, and outcomes.
- Lead organizational and system-level change.
- Promote diversity, inclusion, and equity in healthcare delivery.
- Develop policies and programs that improve the health of underserved communities.
Program Structure
Participants engage in a structured leadership curriculum at Yale University, which typically includes:
- Executive education courses on health equity and leadership.
- Interactive workshops and seminars.
- Mentorship from Yale faculty and experienced healthcare leaders.
- Peer learning and networking with a national cohort of fellows.
- Practical leadership projects focused on improving health equity within participants’ organizations.
The curriculum emphasizes applying leadership principles to real-world healthcare challenges and developing sustainable strategies for reducing health disparities.
Who Can Apply?
The fellowship is intended for mid-career healthcare professionals who have demonstrated leadership potential and are committed to improving health equity. Eligible applicants may include:
- Physicians
- Nurses
- Public health professionals
- Healthcare administrators
- Health system executives
- Community health leaders
- Policymakers
- Other professionals working to improve healthcare delivery and population health
Applicants are generally expected to have significant professional experience and leadership responsibilities within their organizations.
Fellowship Benefits
Successful fellows typically receive:
- Tuition for the leadership program at Yale University.
- Executive leadership and professional development training.
- Individual mentorship and coaching.
- Access to Yale University’s faculty, research, and academic resources.
- Networking opportunities with healthcare leaders and fellowship alumni.
- Ongoing collaboration through The Commonwealth Fund’s professional network.
Areas of Focus
The fellowship addresses a wide range of health equity topics, including:
- Reducing racial and ethnic health disparities.
- Improving access to quality healthcare.
- Social determinants of health.
- Community and population health.
- Inclusive leadership.
- Healthcare policy and systems transformation.
- Equity-centered organizational change.
Impact
Graduates of the Pozen–Commonwealth Fund Fellowship are expected to apply their leadership skills within healthcare organizations, public agencies, academic institutions, and community-based organizations to improve healthcare delivery and promote more equitable health outcomes.
Executive leadership programme focused on health equity
- Focus: Builds leadership and management skills for clinicians and health professionals committed to reducing inequities for minorities, socioeconomically disadvantaged, and marginalised groups.
- Structure: 22-month Executive MBA (EMBA) at Yale School of Management (weekend format so participants can continue working).
- Eligibility: Healthcare professionals with a strong track record in health equity; preferred minimum of 7 years’ experience beyond clinical training.
- Benefits: Full coverage of EMBA tuition and programme costs; mentoring, policy immersion trips, and project opportunities.
- Recent/2026 Cycle Deadlines (for cohorts starting around 2026):
- Round 1: 27 October 2025
- Round 2: 2 February 2026
- Round 3: 27 March 2026
- Expected 2027 Cycle: Similar multi-round deadlines in late 2026 / early 2027. Confirm on the Yale SOM website.
This fellowship reflects The Commonwealth Fund’s commitment to developing leaders who can drive meaningful and lasting improvements in healthcare systems through an equity-focused approach.
4. Association of Health Care Journalists (AHCJ) International Health Study Fellowship
The Association of Health Care Journalists (AHCJ) International Health Study Fellowship is a professional development fellowship that enables U.S.-based health journalists to gain first-hand knowledge of healthcare systems in other countries. Supported by The Commonwealth Fund, the program is designed to help journalists produce accurate, in-depth reporting by exposing them to different approaches to healthcare policy, financing, and delivery.
Through study visits, meetings with policymakers, researchers, clinicians, and public health experts, fellows develop a deeper understanding of international health systems and how they compare with healthcare in the United States.
Purpose of the Fellowship
The fellowship seeks to:
- Improve the quality and depth of health journalism.
- Increase journalists’ understanding of international healthcare systems.
- Promote evidence-based reporting on health policy and healthcare reform.
- Encourage comparative reporting that informs public debate on healthcare issues.
- Build lasting relationships between journalists and global health experts.
Program Activities
Fellows typically participate in an organized international study tour that includes:
- Visits to hospitals and healthcare facilities.
- Meetings with government officials and health policymakers.
- Discussions with researchers, academics, and healthcare providers.
- Briefings on healthcare financing, public health, and health policy.
- Opportunities to examine innovative healthcare practices in the host country.
Participants are encouraged to use the knowledge gained to produce high-quality news stories and analyses for their audiences.
Who Can Apply?
The fellowship is generally open to professional U.S.-based health journalists who:
- Regularly report on healthcare, medicine, public health, or health policy.
- Work in print, broadcast, digital, or multimedia journalism.
- Have a demonstrated record of producing high-quality health reporting.
- Are members of the Association of Health Care Journalists (AHCJ) or meet the program’s eligibility requirements.
Specific eligibility criteria may vary from one fellowship cycle to another.
Fellowship Benefits
Successful fellows typically receive support that may include:
- International round-trip airfare.
- Hotel accommodation during the study tour.
- Organized local transportation.
- Program-related meals and activities.
- Access to meetings with leading healthcare experts and institutions.
- Professional networking opportunities with fellow journalists and international health leaders.
Duration
The fellowship is usually conducted as a short-term international study tour, lasting several days to approximately two weeks, depending on the host country and the program schedule.
Journalism fellowship supported by the Commonwealth Fund
- Focus: Veteran U.S.-based health care journalists pursue a six-month comparative reporting project examining an aspect of the U.S. health system versus another country.
- Duration: 6 months.
- Support: Travel, lodging, and related expenses for seminars and international reporting; guidance from AHCJ.
- Requirement: Newsroom or freelance outlet must commit to publishing/airing the work.
- 2026 Cohort: Already selected (projects on topics such as hepatitis elimination in England, dementia care in Japan, antimicrobial stewardship, and elder care technology).
- Expected 2027 Cycle: Applications typically open in the preceding year. Check the AHCJ website for the next call (usually announced annually).
Why It Matters
The AHCJ International Health Study Fellowship equips journalists with the knowledge and international perspective needed to produce more informed reporting on healthcare systems, public health, and health policy. By learning how different countries address common healthcare challenges, fellows can provide audiences with broader context and evidence-based insights that contribute to informed public discussion.
Note: This fellowship is not a research or academic fellowship. It is a professional journalism fellowship focused on international health reporting and comparative healthcare policy, supported by The Commonwealth Fund in partnership with the Association of Health Care Journalists (AHCJ).
5. Association of Health Care Journalists Reporting Fellowships on Health Care Performance
The Association of Health Care Journalists (AHCJ) Reporting Fellowships on Health Care Performance are competitive journalism fellowships supported by The Commonwealth Fund. The program provides financial support and expert guidance to help journalists produce in-depth, evidence-based reporting on the performance of the U.S. healthcare system.
The fellowship enables reporters to investigate critical healthcare issues such as access to care, healthcare quality, affordability, patient outcomes, health equity, insurance coverage, and healthcare policy. By supporting enterprise and investigative reporting, the program aims to improve public understanding of how well the healthcare system serves patients and communities.
Purpose of the Fellowship
The fellowship is designed to:
- Encourage high-quality reporting on healthcare performance and policy.
- Support in-depth and investigative journalism on important health issues.
- Increase public understanding of healthcare quality, cost, access, and equity.
- Promote the use of reliable data and evidence in health reporting.
- Strengthen journalists’ expertise in covering complex healthcare topics.
Fellowship Activities
Selected fellows receive support to pursue an original reporting project. Depending on the fellowship cycle, participants may receive:
- Funding to cover reporting expenses.
- Access to health policy experts and researchers.
- Mentorship from experienced journalists and editors.
- Training in healthcare data analysis and reporting.
- Opportunities to present and discuss their work with peers and experts.
Fellows are expected to complete and publish their reporting project within the fellowship period.
Who Can Apply?
The fellowship is generally open to professional journalists who report on healthcare, medicine, public health, or health policy. Applicants may include:
- Newspaper reporters.
- Magazine writers.
- Digital and multimedia journalists.
- Broadcast journalists.
- Freelance journalists with a strong record of health reporting.
Applicants are typically required to submit:
- A detailed reporting proposal.
- Work samples demonstrating journalism experience.
- A résumé or curriculum vitae.
- Letters of support or editorial commitment, where required.
Eligibility requirements and application materials may vary for each fellowship cycle.
Fellowship Benefits
Successful fellows may receive:
- Financial support for travel, interviews, data acquisition, and other reporting expenses.
- Mentorship from experienced health journalists and policy experts.
- Access to healthcare researchers and subject-matter specialists.
- Professional development opportunities through the Association of Health Care Journalists (AHCJ).
- Networking with other health journalists and fellowship alumni.
Areas of Reporting
Reporting projects often focus on topics such as:
- Healthcare quality and patient safety.
- Health insurance and affordability.
- Health equity and disparities.
- Hospital and healthcare system performance.
- Primary care and preventive health.
- Mental and behavioral health.
- Public health policy.
- Value-based care and healthcare innovation.
Impact
The AHCJ Reporting Fellowships on Health Care Performance help journalists produce rigorous, data-driven reporting that informs policymakers, healthcare professionals, and the public. By supporting in-depth coverage of healthcare performance, the fellowship contributes to greater transparency and a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the healthcare system.
Domestic U.S. journalism fellowships (also Commonwealth Fund-supported)
- Focus: Year-long reporting projects examining the performance of local health care markets and the broader U.S. health system, with emphasis on equity.
- Duration: 1 year.
- 2026 Cohort: Already selected (projects on surgical errors, long COVID in farmworker communities, Medicaid impacts, etc.).
- Expected 2027 Cycle: Annual programme; watch the AHCJ site for the next application window.
Note: Unlike the AHCJ International Health Study Fellowship, which focuses on learning from healthcare systems in other countries through study visits, the AHCJ Reporting Fellowships on Health Care Performance provide direct support for journalists to conduct and publish original reporting projects on healthcare performance, primarily within the United States.
6. Michael Drake Health Philanthropy Fellowship Program
The Michael Drake Health Philanthropy Fellowship Program is a 10-week, fully funded summer fellowship that introduces promising undergraduate students to careers in health philanthropy, with a strong emphasis on advancing health equity. The program is supported by The Commonwealth Fund and delivered in partnership with Health Career Connection (HCC). It honors Dr. Michael V. Drake, President of the University of California System and former Chair of The Commonwealth Fund’s Board of Directors, in recognition of his contributions to medicine, higher education, and health equity.
Purpose of the Fellowship
The fellowship is designed to prepare future leaders in health philanthropy by providing practical experience, professional mentorship, and exposure to how philanthropic organizations develop and fund initiatives that improve healthcare and reduce health disparities. Fellows learn how philanthropy influences health policy, supports innovative healthcare programs, and promotes equitable health outcomes.
Program Structure
The fellowship is a full-time, in-person program lasting 10 weeks, typically running from mid- or late May through early August. Fellows are placed at The Commonwealth Fund or other partner philanthropic organizations in New York City, where they contribute to ongoing projects while participating in a structured professional development curriculum.
Who Can Apply?
The program is intended for promising undergraduate students who are interested in careers related to:
- Health philanthropy
- Public health
- Health policy
- Healthcare administration
- Medicine and allied health professions
- Health equity and social justice
Applications are submitted through Health Career Connection (HCC), which manages the recruitment and selection process.
All the Commonwealth Fund Fellowship Benefits
Successful fellows receive:
- A full-time summer placement with The Commonwealth Fund or a partner philanthropic organization.
- Hands-on experience working on health philanthropy projects.
- Mentorship from experienced professionals in philanthropy and healthcare.
- Leadership and professional development workshops.
- Networking opportunities with health leaders and fellow participants.
- Membership in Health Career Connection’s extensive alumni network, providing long-term career support and professional connections.
Research Areas of Focus
The fellowship emphasizes:
- Health equity
- Philanthropic strategies for improving healthcare
- Community health initiatives
- Healthcare policy and systems improvement
- Leadership development
- Career exploration in nonprofit and philanthropic organizations
Undergraduate summer fellowship
- Focus: Gives promising undergraduate students exposure to careers in health philanthropy with a health equity lens.
- Structure: Full-time, in-person 10-week summer placement in New York City at the Commonwealth Fund or partner philanthropic organisations.
- Eligibility: Undergraduate juniors or seniors with interest in health and/or philanthropy; must be available mid/late May to early August.
- Benefits: USD 6,000 educational stipend + support for professional development events and local transportation.
- 2026 Cycle: Applications open (as of late 2025); programme runs mid/late May – early August 2026.
- Expected 2027 Cycle: Similar summer timing; applications likely open in late 2026 via Health Career Connection (HCC).
Why It Matters
The Michael Drake Health Philanthropy Fellowship Program helps build a diverse pipeline of future leaders who understand how philanthropy can drive meaningful improvements in healthcare. By combining practical work experience with mentorship and leadership training, the fellowship equips undergraduate students with the knowledge, skills, and professional networks needed to pursue impactful careers in health philanthropy and health equity.
Summary Table (2026–2027 Focus)
| Fellowship | Target Audience | Duration | Key 2026/2027 Application Window | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harkness | Mid-career health policy professionals (9 countries) | ~12 months | June–Nov 2026 (for 2027–28) | United States |
| Harvard Health Policy Leadership | U.S. physicians | 12 months | Dec 2025 (for 2026–27) | Boston, USA |
| Yale Pozen-Commonwealth Fund | Health professionals focused on equity | 22 months | Late 2025 – Mar 2026 (and expected similar for next cycle) | Yale (weekend format) |
| AHCJ International Health Study | U.S. health journalists | 6 months | Annual (2026 cohort selected; 2027 TBA) | U.S. + international reporting |
| AHCJ Reporting on Health Care Performance | U.S. health journalists | 12 months | Annual (2026 cohort selected; 2027 TBA) | United States |
| Michael Drake Health Philanthropy | Undergraduate students | 10 weeks (summer) | Open for 2026; expected late 2026 for 2027 | New York City |
Note: Application dates and details can shift slightly each year. Always verify the latest information on the official Commonwealth Fund website (commonwealthfund.org/fellowships) or the specific programme pages (Harvard, Yale, AHCJ, Health Career Connection).