The NCAI Native Graduate Health Fellowship aims to address the stark disparities in Native health by building a pipeline of Native health professionals who are prepared to lead in formulating and promoting health policies and practices that address the unique needs of American Indians and Alaska Natives. By supporting graduate students in various health-related fields, NCAI seeks to increase the number of Native health leaders and equip them with the tools necessary to achieve our vision of strong, healthy Native communities.
More Information: Fellowship Announcement (Word)
The NCAI Native Graduate Health Fellowship aims to address the stark disparities in Native health by building a pipeline of Native health professionals who are prepared to lead in formulating and promoting health policies and practices that address the unique needs of American Indians and Alaska Natives. While the current challenges of Native health are great, some of the most promising developments are from Native nations who are exercising considerable control over health care delivery and workforce development. Building the capacity of individuals and communities is critical to empowering tribes to assert this right to self-governance and self-determination in the public health domain. By supporting graduate students in various health-related fields, NCAI seeks to increase the number of Native health leaders and equip them with the tools necessary to achieve our vision of strong, healthy Native communities.
Fellowship Components
The Fellowship will include two components: 1) financial support; and 2) professional development in tribal health policy. Fellows will receive $5,000, which can be used to cover both academic and living expenses.
Expanding our future leaders’ knowledge of tribal sovereignty and tribal public policy is a crucial objective of the fellowship. To fulfill this goal, fellows will work with NCAI staff to develop a service and/or research project on Native health issues. Additionally, fellows will meet during the summer of 2012 at the Embassy of Tribal Nations in Washington D.C. for a workshop on tribal sovereignty and tribal public policy, with a particular emphasis on Native health policy and recent innovations in Native health. Throughout the week, fellows will met with NCAI staff, tribal leaders, representatives from other Native organizations, and key policymakers.
Eligibility
Applicants should be members of an American Indian or Alaska Native tribal nation and can be new or continuing students pursuing graduate or professional degrees in any health-related area, including Doctor of Medicine (MD), Master of Nursing (MSN), Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Master of Public Health (MPH), Master of Pharmacy (MPharm), etc.
Application Process
Applications are due via email to Katie Jones at kjones@ncai.org by Friday, January 20, 2012. Applicants will be notified of their status by February 15, 2012.
All complete and eligible applications will be reviewed by a selection committee composed of NCAI staff and other key leaders in Native health. Fellows will be selected on the basis of:
- Demonstrated commitment to American Indian and Alaska Native communities and/or tribal health policy, through contributions to or participation in one or more of the following: campus activities, community or public service, tribal government and cultural activities, and research;
- Desire to use degree and knowledge gained from the Fellowship to support tribal communities and/or Indian Country;
- Strength of academic record;
- Previous professional experience and community engagement;
- Quality of essay;
- Letters of recommendation;
- Demonstrated leadership, character, and integrity.
A completed application submission must include a personal/education information form, essay, a resume or curriculum vitae, and two letters of recommendation.
Thank You
The Native Graduate Health Fellowship is possible through the generous support of Robert Burnette, the Seventh Day Adventist Church, and a range of other donors. NCAI deeply appreciates these donors’ essential role in establishing and sustaining the endowment that supports the fellowship.
