The Harkness Fellowships were established by The Commonwealth Fund in 1925 and were modelled after the Rhodes Scholarships. They aim to produce the next generation of health policy leaders in participating countries.
The Commonwealth Fund, in collaboration with the Health Foundation and the National Institute for Health and Care Research, invites mid-career professionals – including government policymakers, researchers, clinical leaders, health care executives, and journalists – to apply for its Harkness Fellowships in Health Care Policy and Practice.
In the UK, the Harkness Fellowships have been supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research since 2010 and the Health Foundation since 2016.
During their year in the US, Harkness Fellows are placed with mentors who are leading experts in their field and are based at organisations such as Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Duke University, Harvard University, Kaiser Permanente, RAND Corporation, and Stanford University.
Fellows conduct research and demonstrate their commitment to advancing health care policy and practice in line with the Commonwealth Fund’s mission 'to support a high performing health care system that achieves better access, improved quality, and greater efficiency, particularly for society’s most vulnerable, including low-income people, the uninsured, and people of colour.' They will also undertake research on other critical issues related to the health policy agenda in both the US and other countries, with the aim of improving health care for all.
Harkness Fellows are expected to disseminate the results of their research. Products may include a peer-reviewed journal article or report for a high-level policy audience, as well as issue briefs, op-eds and blog posts, or audio/video recordings. Depending on the nature of the project, other products more relevant to frontline delivery system innovation also may be encouraged.
The Commonwealth Fund brings together the full class of fellows throughout the year to participate in a series of high-level policy briefings and leadership seminars with US health care leaders.
Building on their fellowship experiences, Harkness Fellows have moved into senior positions within academia, government and health care delivery organisations, making valuable contributions to health policy and practice at home and in the US.
2027–28 Harkness Fellows can expect to arrive in the US from mid-to-late August or early September 2027 to start the programme and remain in the country for up to 12 months from their date of arrival.
The fellowship award provides dedicated research funding and a monthly living stipend (approximately USD8,000), plus round-trip airfare, support for relocation, health insurance coverage, and payment of US federal and state withholding taxes. An additional family supplement is provided to Fellows accompanied by a partner and/or children under the age of 18. Exact terms of the award may vary by country.
Harkness Fellowships are designed for mid-career professionals who are committed to advancing health policy and practice on critical issues related to the health policy agenda in the US, UK and other countries.
The Harkness Fellowships are open to government policymakers, researchers, clinical leaders, health care executives, and journalists across the UK.
The 2027–28 Harkness Fellowships are now open for applications. The deadline for applications is 1 November 2026.
To find out more about the Harkness Fellowships and to apply, visit The Commonwealth Fund’s website
If you have any questions about the Harkness Fellowships, including eligibility, contact Mat Kelley, Acting Director, Promoting International Leadership and Exchange, mkelley@cmwf.org
Or contact Tim Gardner, Deputy Director of Policy, Tim.Gardner@health.org.uk
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Ed Middleton is a 2024–25 UK Harkness Fellow in Health Care Policy and Practice.
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Vageesh Jain is a 2023–24 UK Harkness Fellow in Health Care Policy and Practice.
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Rebecca Fisher is a 2022–23 UK Harkness Fellow in Health Care Policy and Practice.
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Emma Watson is a 2021–22 UK Harkness Fellow in Health Care Policy and Practice.
