Barbara Jordan Health Policy Scholars Program

http://www.kff.org/minorityhealth/bjscholars/index.cfm
PROGRAM DATES
The eleven-week program runs from May 23, 2011 through August 6, 2011.

BENEFITS
Scholars receive approximately $7,500 in support, which includes:

• A stipend of $2,000 upon successful completion of the program;
• A daily expense allowance for meals and local transportation;
• Transportation/airfare to and from Washington, D.C.; and
• Lodging at Howard University in Washington, D.C.

In the event that a college or university will award credit(s) for participation in the program, Howard University will submit or facilitate the submission of all official documentation necessary to obtain such credit(s).
CORE ACTIVITIES
The eleven-week program starts with a week-long series of briefings on U.S. health policy issues in Washington, D.C. Topics include health policy concerns such as HIV/AIDS, Medicaid, the uninsured, and Medicare. The group meets again in early June for a day of joint briefings on health issues with the Kaiser Media Interns in Health Reporting. The scholars then spend ten weeks working in a congressional office with major health policy responsibilities.
In addition to their placement in a congressional office, scholars are required to attend weekly site visits to organizations such as the Institute of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, etc.  Scholars are also required to complete a policy memo and a group policy presentation as part of program.
The goal of the Barbara Jordan Health Policy Scholars Program is to facilitate the development of leadership and critical thinking skills in health policy by helping students to gain knowledge about the federal legislative process as it relates specifically to health and the health of underserved communities. 

Eligible candidates must be U.S. citizens who will be a senior or a recent  graduate (a person who graduated in September 2008 or later) of an accredited  U.S. college or university in the fall of 2011.  Graduate students and individuals with an advanced degree are not eligible to apply.  Successful applicants will show evidence of academic achievement and will demonstrate the following:

• Be a member of a population that is adversely affected by racial or ethnic disparities in health; and/or
• Have  experience working in or with programs that address health issues  disproportionately affecting racial and ethnic minorities or underserved  communities (e.g. local health departments, community health centers,  inner city/rural hospitals or organizations that conduct research on or  develop policy related to health or healthcare disparities) or have done  previous academic work (e.g. taken courses, written papers or  participate in research projects) related to health disparities.

Candidates are selected based on academic performance, interest in  health policy, demonstrated leadership potential and community  involvement
All application materials, including letters of recommendation, are due by 5 pm ET December 3, 2010.          Selected candidates will be notified mid-February.