Apologies for cross-posting. 
 
--------------
THE COMMONWEALTH FUND

HARKNESS FELLOWSHIPS IN HEALTH CARE POLICY


 

 

 

The Commonwealth Fund is pleased to announce the Harkness Fellowships in Health Care Policy, and to invite applicants for the 2007-2008 fellowship cycle. The Harkness Fellowships in Health Care Policy provide a unique opportunity for mid-career professionals - government policymakers, clinicians, managers, academic researchers, and journalists - from the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, and New Zealand to spend up to 12 months in the United States conducting a policy-oriented research study, working with leading U.S. health policy experts, and gaining an in-depth knowledge of the U.S., Australian, Canadian, German, and New Zealand health care systems. 

 

Under a partnership between The Commonwealth Fund and The Health Foundation, two additional U.K. fellowships were established in 2004.  The Harkness/Health Foundation fellowships aim to develop policy expertise amongst leading health care professionals and are specifically targeted at health care practitioners who already have an interest in health policy development and implementation.

 

Applicants must demonstrate a strong interest in health policy issues and propose a study that falls within the scope of The Commonwealth Fund's national program areas: improving health insurance coverage and access, and improving the quality and efficiency of health care services.

 

Once selected, the Fund will provide extensive support to successful fellows to help them develop and shape their research proposals to better fit the context of the U.S. health system.  Through its network of contacts, the Fund will help identify and place fellows with mentors who are experts in the policy areas to be studied.

 

A peer-reviewed journal article or policy report is the anticipated product of the fellowship. Harkness Fellows have published their project findings in leading U.K. and U.S. journals including the British Medical Journal, the Health Services Journal, Quality and Safety in Health Care, Health Affairs, the New England Journal of Medicine, Health Policy, and Journal of the American Medical Association, as well as in reports for Health Ministers and other high-level policy audiences. Building on their fellowship experiences, Harkness Fellows have moved into senior positions within academia, government, and health care delivery organizations, making valuable contributions to health policy and practice at home and in the United States. Harkness Fellows also become part of a strong international network, with opportunities for future professional development.  

 

The deadline for receipt of applications is September 1, 2006.  In order to apply, applicants must be citizens of the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany or New Zealand and submit a formal application.  

 

Each fellowship will provide up to $95,000 (U.S.) in support, which includes round trip airfare to the United States, a monthly stipend, seminars and policy briefings, project-related travel and other research expenses, health insurance, and U.S. taxes. For the Harkness/Health Foundation Fellows, the Health Foundation will provide replacement staff costs to the UK employer on the understanding that they, in turn, will continue to pay full salary and benefits to the fellow for the duration of the fellowship.  In addition, a supplemental allowance is provided to fellows accompanied by a spouse and/or children.  

 

For further information about The Commonwealth Fund and the Harkness Fellowships, including a List of Suggested Projects, please visit The Commonwealth Fund's webpage at www.cmwf.org <http://www.cmwf.org/> /fellowships.  Application materials and instructions are available in electronic form. For further questions regarding the program, eligibility, or proposed project, contact Robin Osborn at The Commonwealth Fund, One East 75th Street, New York, NY 10021, U.S.A. (tel: 001 212 606 3809 or  email: [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> ).