The Harkness Fellowship 2027–28 is a health care policy and practice fellowship offered by the Commonwealth Fund for midcareer professionals from selected countries. Fellows spend a year in the United States conducting internationally comparative research on a health care delivery or policy issue, with mentorship from U.S. experts, leadership development activities, and access to cross-national professional networks. The application period runs from June 1, 2026 to November 1, 2026.
Programme Snapshot
Programme: Harkness Fellowships in Health Care Policy and Practice
Category: Fellowship
Organization: The Commonwealth Fund
Country: United States
Duration: 10 to 12 months in the United States
Application Period: June 1, 2026 to November 1, 2026
Eligible Applicants: Midcareer professionals from selected countries
Eligible Countries: Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, and the United Kingdom
About the Harkness Fellowship 2027–28
The Harkness Fellowships are designed for midcareer professionals committed to improving health policy and practice. The fellowship focuses on the Commonwealth Fund’s principal areas of interest, including health insurance coverage, access to care, quality and efficiency of care delivery, and health equity.
During the fellowship year, selected fellows conduct internationally comparative research in the United States. Their research must be relevant to both the United States and their home country and should focus on policy or system-level change.
Commonwealth Fund staff work with each selected fellow to identify potential U.S. mentors. These mentors provide research supervision, technical guidance, and access to relevant data, contacts, and organizations.
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Fellowship Experience
Harkness Fellows are affiliated with an institution in the United States. This may be a university, think tank, health care organization, or government agency.
The fellowship experience includes research, mentorship, leadership development, and structured learning activities. Fellows also gain an in-depth understanding of the U.S. health care system and policy landscape.
The programme includes seminars and meetings organized by the Commonwealth Fund. These may cover orientation, communication and public narrative training, federal health policy, state health policy and innovation, leadership conversations, and final reporting.
Fellowship Award and Benefits
The fellowship award provides financial and practical support during the fellowship year.
Selected fellows receive:
✓ Dedicated research funding
✓ Monthly living stipend of approximately USD 8,500
✓ Round-trip airfare
✓ Support for relocation
✓ Health insurance coverage
✓ Payment of U.S. federal and state withholding taxes
✓ Additional family supplement for fellows accompanied by a partner and/or children under age 18
The official page states that exact award terms may vary by country. Fellows are encouraged to seek salary support from their home-country employer, especially if they are coming from a for-profit organization.
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Who Can Apply?
Applicants must be midcareer professionals who are committed to advancing health policy and practice.
Eligible professional backgrounds may include:
• Government and policy
• Health services research
• Clinical practice
• Health care management
• Journalism
• Other relevant professional fields
The fellowship encourages applications from people who show promise as policy-oriented health care leaders and have demonstrated expertise in health policy issues.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet the official eligibility requirements.
• Applicants must be established residents of Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, or the United Kingdom.
• Applicants must be eligible to receive a J-1 Research Scholar Visa.
• Applicants must be committed to continuing their career in the country from which they are applying.
• Applicants must show significant promise as policy-oriented health care leaders.
• Applicants must have demonstrated expertise in health policy issues.
• Applicants must have a track record of informing health policy through research, policy analysis, care delivery, or clinical leadership.
• Applicants must propose a research project relevant to both the United States and their home country.
• The proposed project must focus on creating policy or system-level change.
• Applicants must have the relevant education and work experience needed to carry out the proposed research.
The official FAQ states that there is no age requirement or age limit. However, the fellowship is designed for midcareer professionals.
Fellowship Requirements
Harkness Fellows are expected to disseminate the results of their research. Outputs may include a peer-reviewed journal article or a report for a high-level policy audience.
Other possible outputs include:
• Issue briefs
• Data briefs
• Op-eds
• Blogs
• Audio or video recordings
• Products relevant to frontline delivery system innovation
Fellows must spend between 10 and 12 months in the United States. The official FAQ states that a minimum of 10 months in the U.S. is required.
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Required Application Materials
All candidates must submit their application through the Harkness Fellowship portal.
The application includes:
• Statement of professional objectives
• Curriculum vitae
• Preliminary project proposal of up to five pages, excluding references
• One institutional or organizational reference
• Two professional references
• Three examples of work products, such as journal articles, reports, or other writing samples
Reference letters must be requested through the application system. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that all three reference letters are submitted.
Research Proposal Guidance
The proposed research project must fit within the Commonwealth Fund’s principal areas of interest. It must also be relevant to both the United States and the applicant’s home country.
For quantitative research proposals, applicants should explore the availability and accessibility of data sets. For qualitative research proposals, applicants should consider how they will collect data, such as through document review, interviews, or focus groups.
Applicants do not need to know their final U.S. placement or mentor before applying. Commonwealth Fund staff work with selected fellows to identify potential mentors after selection.
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Selection Process
Applications are reviewed by Commonwealth Fund staff and a panel of experts appointed in each participating country.
After the review period, a limited number of applicants are invited for interviews. Interviews may be conducted virtually or in person.
Applicants are shortlisted based on:
• Qualifications
• Leadership potential
• Commitment to improving health care
• Quality and policy relevance of the proposed research project
• Strength of submitted reference letters
If interviews are held in person, the official page lists interview locations by applicant country. These include Sydney, Toronto, Paris, Berlin or The Hague, Auckland, Oslo, Singapore, and London.
Key Dates
• Application Opens: June 1, 2026
• Application Deadline: November 1, 2026
• Expected U.S. Arrival for 2027–28 Fellows: Mid to late August or early September 2027
How to Submit an Application
Applicants must register for a Harkness portal account before accessing the application.
Applicants should:
• Open the Harkness Fellowship portal
• Select “Log In”
• Choose “New User?” if creating a new account
• Complete the required fields
• Select “Harkness Fellowship Applicant”
• Complete the application through the portal
• Request reference letters through the application system
• Submit all required materials by November 1, 2026
Apply Here
Submit your application through the official application link below.
Apply for Harkness Fellowships in Health Care Policy and Practice
