I am in training/just completed training.  Am I eligible for the fellowship?

The fellowship is designed for mid-careers professionals who will return to senior leadership positions in their home organizations.   As a test we would, however, consider a very strong application from a more junior candidate.  All successful candidates must have full-time employment with an organization who will sponsor them for the fellowship (salary and benefits for the year are paid by the home organization) and who shows commitment to leveraging the fellow’s learning appropriately post-fellowship.

I am not currently employed.  Can I apply as a self-funded fellow?

We are committed to filling the available fellowship positions with candidates who meet the eligibility requirements of the funding organizations (George W. Merck, The Health Foundation, and The Commonwealth Fund).  Unfortunately, we do not have the capacity to take on additional fellows. 

I do not live and/or work in one of the countries specified for the three fellowship types  (US, UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Australia, and New Zealand).    Are there other fellowship opportunities?

We are committed to filling the available fellowship positions with candidates who meet the eligibility requirements of the funding organizations (George W. Merck: US, The Health Foundation: UK, and The Commonwealth Fund: UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Australia, and New Zealand).  Unfortunately we do not have the capacity to take on additional fellows. 

I would like to come to IHI as a fellow for three months.  Is this possible? 

Fellowships are one year in duration, July through June.   We are not able to meet requests for shorter fellowships.   

Can I work half-time for my home organization while completing the fellowship?

No.  To benefit fully from the intense learning experience that a fellowship offers, fellows should have no day-to-day responsibilities at their home organization during the fellowship year.  Fellows may choose to work on a discrete improvement project back at their home organization during the year if it fits well with their learning objectives for the fellowship.

What is the fellowship stipend?

The George W. Merck Fellowship provides a $50,000 stipend which is paid directly to the fellow’s home organization.  In some cases, the home organization uses that amount to help with the costs associated with having the fellow away for a year.  In other cases, the fellow’s organization may pass on some or all of the stipend amount to the fellow to help with moving expenses. 

For stipend and other financial information regarding The Health Foundation Quality Improvement Fellowship, please contact The Health Foundation.  For stipend and other financial information regarding The Commonwealth Fund/Harkness Fellowship, please contact The Commonwealth Fund. 

It seems that most previous fellows are medical doctors.  Is there an MD requirement? 

No.  We encourage applications from nurse leaders, quality improvement professionals, and allied health professionals.  We have had a dentist , a speech therapist, a pharmacist, nurses, and a physical therapist, among others, accepted into the fellowship program.