Fellowship in Health Policy and Insurance Research

HPI fellows develop and lead projects with HPI faculty who provide intense one-on-one mentorship. 

HPI Research areas include: 

• Behavioral Health and Substance Abuse
• Chronic Conditions
• Health Care Workforce
• Health Insurance
• Maternal Health
• Pharmaceuticals

HPI researchers apply state-of-the-art quasi-experimental and other research methods to study pressing population health topics in the United States, Europe, China, and other countries. We have extensive experience in curating and using electronic health system data including health insurance claims, medical records, and survey data. Through our research, we seek to improve availability, access, affordability, appropriateness, and equity of health care and health outcomes, especially among vulnerable populations. 

Fellows can take full advantage of our unique setting: outstanding training resources at Harvard University, access to large researchable claims and clinical databases through Institute-led initiatives, and opportunities to understand real-life policy decision making in a premier U.S. health plan. 

Fellows are integrated in HPI’s research teams. They receive intense one-on-one, team, and peer mentoring. Fellows attend the monthly Health Policy and Insurance Research Seminar in which they present their work and interact with leading researchers and policymakers on domestic and international health and insurance policy issues. Fellows also attend monthly HPI fellowship meetings to share works-in-progress and discuss research skills and career development. 

Fellows actively engage in Institute-wide activities, including the weekly Research Café and cross-division research collaborations and department centers of excellence. Fellows have dedicated computing resources, access to biostatistics support as needed, and access to libraries and other resources of Harvard University. Fellows may attend selected advanced methods training courses and seminars at schools within and outside of Harvard University. Many fellows have opportunities for presenting their work at national or international meetings.

Fellows have researched wide-ranging topics including: approval times, regulatory policies and clinical benefit of cancer drugs approved in the US, EU and China; ways to improve communication about the evidence underlying recent cancer drug approvals; state opioid laws; Medicaid and Affordable Care Act Marketplace enrollment policies; effects on access to care and health outcomes of various other policies and programs (e.g., prior authorization, high deductible health insurance plans, prescription drug monitoring programs) in the U.S; health insurance and prescription drug policies in China; the US health care workforce policies; and the World Health Organization policies to combat global medical “brain drain”. 

Upon completion of the fellowship, fellows early in their careers have secured faculty positions at major universities or positions in industry. Mid-career professionals have used the fellowship experience to advance in academic, care delivery, payer, and other leadership positions. 

Typical applicants hold clinical doctorates (MD, PharmD, or equivalent) with additional research training or experience; PhD or equivalent degrees; or are PhD candidates who have completed their course work, including statistics and epidemiology courses or equivalent, and qualifying examinations. We encourage prospective applicants to send an informal inquiry about their interest in the fellowship to the Fellowship Administrator.

Applications are reviewed as they are received. Fellowship start dates are flexible.

A committee of HPI faculty evaluate fellowship applications. Applicants are selected based on their commitment to health policy research in the United States or elsewhere, the quality and feasibility of their proposed fellowship research project, and their alignment with a HPI faculty mentor’s research portfolio. Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to contact HPI faculty members conducting research of interest to the applicant as proposed fellowship research projects should take advantage of ongoing funded research projects and the rich data resources developed for those. Research projects that make use of the unique strengths of HPI faculty, including longitudinal analyses of large claims data, are particularly welcome.

At this time, no funds are available from the fellowship program. Interested applicants need to identify and obtain funding from external sources for their living expenses, health insurance, and, where applicable, relocation costs (costs of living in Boston). Fellowship faculty will support applications for funding to external sponsors by provisionally accepted applicants. HPI fellows have received support from the Harvard University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, the Commonwealth Fund’s Harkness Fellowship, the Fulbright Program, and multiple other U.S. and international fellowship funds.

A completed application consists of the following:

• An up-to-date curriculum vitae including standard information such as education, positions held, relevant research experiences, awards, funding, and a list of publications; please define clearly your current status with respect to PhD, MD, and/or postdoctoral training.
• A cover letter describing your rationale and goals for the fellowship and how it would contribute to your longer-term career; the cover letter should include information on plans for funding of the fellowship.
• A concise proposal for a fellowship research project (1,000 words or less).
• One writing sample (e.g., report, unpublished manuscript, published paper, etc.) that demonstrates the applicant's interest in health policy and/or systems research.
• One letter of reference from a person who is familiar with your professional and academic qualifications to be sent electronically by the referee to the Health Policy and Insurance Research Fellowship.