Overview

The Atlantic Fellows for Health Equity (AFHE) program is dedicated to training those leaders – individuals who will have health equity as their mindset and health disparities reduction as their explicit skillset. With this philosophy and support from the Atlantic Philanthropies, the Atlantic Fellows for Health Equity team at the Fitzhugh Mullan Institute for Health Workforce Equity designed, and in January 2017, launched the Leaders for Health Equity fellowship program, now called the Atlantic Fellows for Health Equity at the George Washington University.

Atlantic Fellows for Health Equity develops global leaders who understand the foundations of health inequity and have the knowledge, skills and courage to build more equitable organizations and communities. The fellowship does so by providing intensive learning and growth experiences and connecting fellows in a cohort network as they move forward in their careers. The fellowship includes both U.S. and global fellows and addresses the continuum of local and universal issues related to health equity. 

Mission

To develop global leaders who understand the foundations of health inequity and have the knowledge, skills, and courage to build more equitable organizations and communities.

Values

Our program and fellows’ guiding values include equity, inclusivity and an action orientation, shared pillars of the Atlantic Fellows community. The Atlantic Fellows for Health Equity also emphasizes courage, diversity, creativity and humility. These values are fundamental to, and borne of, the program’s interdisciplinary and intercultural approach to learning, community building and striving to overcome global challenges.

Fellowship

The Atlantic Fellows for Health Equity program is designed to bring together the many diverse industries and professions that influence health and well-being including art, business, communications, education, environmental health, government, housing, healthcare delivery, journalism, law, medicine, nursing, social enterprise, technology and more.

Fellowship program recruit fellows from everywhere in the world. Broad global perspectives and diversity of professional backgrounds enable more robust learning among fellows and collaboration across disciplines.

The Atlantic Fellows for Health Equity fellowship year is a mix of in-person convenings and online learning and engagement. Fellows meet virtually every two weeks for two-hour sessions. The training approach emphasizes applied learning, skills practice and reflection as fellows complete a health equity project during the yearlong program.

Application Process 

Fellows will be selected based on demonstrated commitment in the area of health equity and leadership potential. The program will build and support a group of global, multidisciplinary leaders equipped with the technical knowledge, skills, and network to advance health equity in their organizations and communities. The program will select 15-20 fellows per year.

Application Timeline for 2026

• February 18, 2025: Application opens
• March 13, 2025: Informational webinar – REGISTER HERE
• April 10, 2025: Application closes
• June 2025: First round of applicant interviews
• July 2025: Second round of applicant interviews
• August 2025: Applicant acceptance notifications go out 

Who should apply?  

Individuals who: 

• Want to become global leaders in the elimination of health disparities 
• Are early to mid-career 
• Are currently engaged in health-related work 
• Are currently in leadership or a position that has potential for leadership 
• Value diverse perspectives 
• Enjoy working in groups 

The Atlantic Fellows for Health Equity program is designed to bring together the many diverse industries and professions that influence health and well-being including, but not limited to: art, law, business, academia, government, journalism, social enterprise, research, media, housing, and health care delivery. Explore what our program has to offer.

Selection Criteria 

• Strength of statement of interest, including past accomplishments that demonstrate a strong commitment to health equity 
• Quality of project proposal 
• Strength of recommendation 
• Letter of support from employer 
• Result of interview(s) 

Program Expectations 

Selected fellows will need to: 

• Attend 3 in-person convenings throughout the year (~4-week time commitment) 
• Participate in the online curriculum that includes: biweekly online classes, individualized coaching, peer mentoring, and team-based learning (12-16 hours per month) 
• Be proficient in the English language.

Application requirements

(1) A brief statement (no more than 500 words) addressing the reasons you want to be a fellow, including a discussion of your major strengths and unique personal and leadership characteristics, (2) a health equity project proposal you would like to complete during your fellowship year (3) your curriculum vitae (CV) or resume, (4) two letters of recommendation (5) and an employer support form completed by someone in a direct supervisory role that is willing to serve as your advisor, assisting with your growth as you pursue a focus on change leadership for health equity. More details on the application requirements can be found here.

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