CHEAR Fellowship 2026 at Michigan University
Dreaming of a fully-funded, skill-packed research pathway in child health where you can build publications, learn advanced methods, and even complete a master’s degree without paying tuition? The CHEAR Fellowship (2026–2027) at the University of Michigan offers exactly that: a two-year, rigorous, interdisciplinary training experience in pediatric health services and outcomes research designed for clinical fellows and postdoctoral scholars from around the world.
What’s Offered (Funding, Training, Degree Support)?
The CHEAR Fellowship provides a competitive salary aligned with NIH guidelines, plus full benefits—so you can focus on research, not finances. Fellows receive structured, end-to-end training that blends didactics, mentored research, and professional development:
- Weekly CHEAR seminars with internal/external speakers, methods workshops, and fellow-led works-in-progress.
- Individualized Learning Plan co-created with mentors to acquire new qualitative and quantitative methods.
- Degree funding for clinicians: Most clinician fellows complete a Master’s degree (e.g., Health & Health Care Research; Clinical Research Design & Statistical Analysis; or programs in Public Health/Public Policy). Tuition is covered by the fellowship.
- High-impact research immersion: Access to rich University of Michigan data resources and analytic expertise to conduct two original research projects.
- Clear deliverables: Expect two first-author, peer-reviewed papers and conference abstracts by program end.
- Responsible Conduct & DEI: Formal training in research ethics and applying diversity, equity, and inclusion principles across your work.
- Professional socialization: Present at CHEAR seminars, attend national conferences (e.g., Pediatric Academic Societies, AcademyHealth), and build a powerful U.S. research network.
Who Can Apply?
Physicians (MD/DO)
- Residents: 3rd-year pediatrics or 4th-year internal medicine/pediatrics (from any institution).
- Fellows: 1st-year pediatric subspecialty fellows at the University of Michigan (or incoming matched fellows). CHEAR typically overlaps with the research years of your subspecialty fellowship.
- Faculty: Current or incoming pediatric faculty at the University of Michigan (instructional or clinical track).
If you’re a physician who doesn’t fit these buckets, email the program first at [email protected].
Non-physician, non-PhD clinicians
Nurses, PAs, mental health practitioners, and other clinicians with a clear interest in pediatric health services research are also eligible. Contact the program before applying ([email protected]).
PhD graduates or candidates
Applicants who hold (or will hold by the start date) a doctoral degree in public health, health policy, public policy, decision sciences, management science, economics, or related fields are eligible. PhD applicants in pediatric psychology may combine their psychology fellowship with CHEAR.
What You’ll Research (High-Priority Topic Areas)?
Fellows join active projects and launch independent studies in pediatric health services research and policy evaluation. Priority areas include:
- Population health informatics in pediatrics
- Valuing child health (economic evaluation/cost-effectiveness)
- Pediatric end-stage organ disease & transplant
- Transition from pediatric to adult care
- Adherence, acute care outcomes & survivorship, barriers to care
- Immunization policy/financing/delivery; Medicaid policy
- Quality measurement & improvement
- Decision modeling & cost-effectiveness analysis
New Application Submission Dates (2026 Cohort) & How to Apply
Applications are open now for starts in 2026 (flexible start dates).
Priority deadline: December 31, 2025 — applications received by this date receive priority review.
Application package:
- Fellowship application form
- CV (clearly state your current status: residency, fellowship, or PhD)
- Statement of purpose (≤1,000 words) covering background, research interests, and fit
- One writing sample (e.g., report, manuscript—published or unpublished)
Why Apply? (Five Fast Reasons)
- Study for free while you train: Clinicians typically complete a fully funded master’s degree alongside the fellowship.
- Salary + benefits: A stable NIH-guided stipend frees you to focus on research output and skills.
- Serious mentorship: A primary mentor + 2–3 faculty on your committee, with regular meetings and hands-on guidance.
- Data & methods you can’t get elsewhere: Deep institutional datasets and concentrated expertise accelerate your path to first-author publications and competitive grant applications.
- Career-making network: Present at top conferences, refine your WIP in high-caliber seminars, and leave with a portfolio that positions you strongly for faculty, health system, policy, or research leadership roles.
Application Deadline
The last date to apply for the CHEAR Fellowship 2026 at the University of Michigan is December 31, 2025. Applications received by this date will be given priority review, and successful candidates will begin their two-year fellowship in 2026 with flexible start dates available.
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