Apply for the Commonwealth Fund Harkness Fellowships 2027–2028, a fully Funded Global Health Policy Fellowship. The Commonwealth Fund has opened applications for the 2027–2028 Harkness Fellowships in Health Care Policy and Practice. This prestigious international fellowship supports mid-career professionals who are committed to transforming health care systems and improving health outcomes.
The programme offers emerging and established health policy leaders the chance to conduct innovative, policy-oriented research, engage with leading experts, and contribute to reforms that improve access, quality, efficiency, and equity in health care. Fellows undertake a research project with relevance to both the United States and their home country while expanding their professional networks and leadership capacity.
The Commonwealth Fund Harkness Fellowshipsprovide mid-career health services researchers and practitioners up to $130,000 to spend 10 to 12 months in the United States conducting comparative health policy research. The 2027–28 application cycle is open from June 1, 2026, through November 1, 2026.
Fellowship Overview & Benefits
- Financial Support: Up to U.S. $130,000 covering living allowance, airfare, research, and travel.
- Duration: 10 to 12 months based in the United States.
- Core Activities: Mentored research with a U.S. expert, leadership seminars, and policy briefings.
Target Audience: Mid-career health policy analysts, services researchers, and clinical leaders.
Eligible Nationalities: Citizens of Australia, France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, and the United Kingdom.
Applications for the 2027–2028 cohort are open from 1 June 2026 to 1 November 2026.
About the Harkness Fellowship
The Harkness Fellowship is widely regarded as one of the world’s leading international health policy fellowships. It is administered by The Commonwealth Fund, a private foundation dedicated to promoting a high-performing health care system that delivers better access, higher quality, and greater efficiency — with particular attention to society’s most vulnerable populations.
The fellowship is designed for professionals who have already demonstrated excellence in health policy or practice and who show clear potential to become influential leaders in shaping the future of health care systems. During the fellowship, participants develop and implement a research project that addresses pressing health policy challenges and contributes to meaningful policy or system-level change.
Fellowship Objectives
The programme advances research and leadership in areas aligned with The Commonwealth Fund’s core priorities, including:
- Improving health insurance coverage so that more people can obtain the care they need without financial hardship.
- Expanding access to health care services, particularly for underserved and vulnerable populations.
- Enhancing the quality of care delivered to patients.
- Increasing efficiency in how health care is organised and delivered.
- Advancing health equity so that outcomes do not vary unfairly by social or demographic factors.
- Supporting evidence-based health policy reforms that can be implemented at scale.
- Strengthening health care systems through practical and innovative solutions.
The fellowship equips participants with the skills, knowledge, and international perspective needed to tackle complex health care challenges in their home countries and beyond.
Benefits of the Fellowship
Successful fellows gain access to a range of professional and academic opportunities:
- International Research Experience
Fellows design and carry out a high-impact, policy-oriented research project with direct relevance to both the United States and their home country. - Access to Global Health Policy Experts
Participants engage closely with leading policymakers, researchers, academics, clinicians, and health care executives across different health systems. - Leadership Development
The programme deliberately strengthens leadership capabilities and prepares participants for senior roles in health policy and system transformation. - Professional Networking
Fellows join a distinguished global network of Harkness alumni, health policy experts, and decision-makers that continues to provide value long after the fellowship ends. - Policy Influence
Research projects are specifically designed to feed into policy discussions and drive system-level improvements in health care delivery and governance. - Cross-Country Learning
The fellowship encourages comparative analysis between the United States and the fellow’s home country, helping identify transferable solutions and best practices.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants for the 2027–2028 Harkness Fellowship must meet all of the following requirements:
Residency Requirement
Applicants must be established residents of one of the following countries:
- Australia
- Canada
- France
- Germany
- The Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Singapore
- United Kingdom
They must also be eligible to receive a J-1 Research Scholar Visa and be committed to continuing their careers in the country from which they are applying.
Professional Experience
Candidates should be mid-career professionals with significant accomplishments and demonstrated leadership potential in health policy or health care practice. Suitable backgrounds include:
- Government
- Public policy
- Health services research
- Clinical practice
- Health care management
- Journalism
- Health administration
- Public health organisations
- Academic institutions
Demonstrated Expertise
Applicants must show:
- Strong expertise in health policy issues
- Evidence of having influenced policy or practice
- Experience in research, policy analysis, or health system leadership
- A solid record of professional achievement
Research Project Requirement
Applicants must propose a research project that:
- Addresses an important health policy issue
- Is relevant to both the United States and their home country
- Focuses on policy or system-level change
- Demonstrates feasibility and potential for practical impact
Educational and Professional Qualifications
Candidates must possess the educational background and professional experience needed to successfully complete the proposed project and make full use of the fellowship opportunity.
Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
The Commonwealth Fund strongly encourages applications from:
- Historically marginalised communities
- Groups underrepresented in health policy
- Professionals underrepresented in health care leadership
- Individuals who bring diverse perspectives to health system reform
This reflects the fellowship’s broader goal of promoting health equity and inclusive leadership across health care systems.
Application Components
Applications must be submitted through the Harkness Fellowship Portal and include the following materials:
Statement of Professional Objectives
A clear statement outlining career goals, leadership aspirations, and reasons for applying to the fellowship.
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
An up-to-date professional CV highlighting qualifications, achievements, publications, and relevant experience.
Preliminary Project Proposal
A policy-oriented project proposal of up to five pages (excluding references). The proposal should:
- Address a significant health policy issue
- Demonstrate relevance to both the United States and the home country
- Outline the proposed methodology
- Explain the expected policy impact
- Highlight opportunities for system-level change
Three Letters of Reference
- One institutional or organisational reference from a supervisor or senior leader within the applicant’s organisation
- Two professional references from individuals who can assess the applicant’s qualifications, achievements, and leadership potential Applicants are advised to request references early to ensure timely submission.
Work Samples
Three examples of professional work, which may include journal articles, research papers, policy reports, technical reports, published articles, or other professional writing. For unpublished materials, a brief explanation of the work and its purpose should be provided.
Application Review and Selection
Applications undergo a rigorous review by Commonwealth Fund staff and expert panels in each participating country. Selection is based on:
- Professional qualifications
- Leadership potential
- Commitment to improving health care
- Quality and feasibility of the proposed research project
- Policy relevance of the research
- Strength of the recommendation letters
- Potential to influence health policy and practice
Shortlisted applicants may be invited to interviews. Depending on the country of application, interviews may be held virtually or in person in cities such as Sydney, Toronto, Paris, Berlin or The Hague, Auckland, Oslo, Singapore, or London.
Important Notes
- Fellowship awards cannot be used toward academic degree programmes.
- The fellowship cannot be undertaken at the same time as another programme.
- Applicants proposing quantitative research should carefully assess data availability and accessibility.
- Applicants proposing qualitative research should clearly explain their data collection methods (e.g., interviews, focus groups, document reviews).
- Unsuccessful applicants are welcome to reapply in future cycles.
Application Timeline
- Applications open: 1 June 2026
- Application deadline: 1 November 2026
Interested candidates are encouraged to begin preparing their research proposals, reference letters, and supporting documents well in advance of the deadline.
How to Apply
Applicants must first create an account on the Harkness Fellowship Portal. After registration:
- Log in to the portal.
- Select “New User” if creating an account for the first time.
- Complete all required registration fields.
- Choose “Harkness Fellowship Applicant.”
- Complete and submit the full online application before the deadline.
The Harkness Fellowship offers health policy professionals an outstanding opportunity to contribute to meaningful health system reforms, build international collaborations, and join a prestigious global network of leaders dedicated to improving health care delivery and health equity worldwide.
For full details and to apply, visit the official Commonwealth Fund Harkness Fellowships page. Commonwealth Fund Harkness Fellowships in Health Care Policy and Practice 2027–2028 – Applications Now Open