USA University of Michigan CHEAR Fellowship 2026-2027 (Fully Funded)

Applications are now open for the prestigious CHEAR Fellowship 2026–2027 at the University of Michigan. The Susan B. Meister Child Health Evaluation and Research (CHEAR) Center invites applications for its two-year interdisciplinary fellowship program designed to provide rigorous training in pediatric health services and outcomes research.

This fellowship offers an exceptional opportunity for clinical fellows, postdoctoral researchers, and PhD graduates interested in advancing child health policy, research, and population health through high-impact, evidence-based work.

Fellowship Overview

The CHEAR Fellowship aims to cultivate the next generation of leaders in pediatric health research through:

1. Didactic Learning

• Weekly CHEAR seminar series featuring internal and external speakers.
• Skill-building workshops and methodological training in qualitative and quantitative research.
• Clinical fellows are supported to pursue a Master’s degree in Health and Health Care Research, Clinical Research Design, or Public Health at the University of Michigan.
• Tuition funding for this degree is fully covered by the fellowship.

2. Structured Mentorship

• Each fellow is paired with a primary mentor and a mentorship committee of 2–3 faculty members.
• Regular mentorship meetings ensure individualized learning and research development.

3. Experiential Research Training

• Fellows conduct two independent research projects in pediatric health services or population health.
• Access to University of Michigan’s rich data resources and expert faculty support.
• Expected deliverables include two first-authored, peer-reviewed publications by the end of the program.

4. Professional Development

• Fellows present works-in-progress to CHEAR faculty and attend major conferences such as Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) and AcademyHealth.
• Opportunities for networking and collaboration across diverse disciplines.

• Competitive salary aligned with NIH guidelines
• Comprehensive benefits package
• Funding for Master’s degree (for eligible clinical fellows)
• Research support and access to University of Michigan facilities and data resources
• Mentorship and leadership development opportunities

The CHEAR Fellowship is open to:

• Clinical Fellows (MD/DO)
• Postdoctoral Researchers (PhD or equivalent)
• Non-physician clinicians (e.g., nurses, physician assistants, mental health practitioners)

CHEAR Fellows engage in innovative research in pediatric health services, child population health, and health policy. Fellows collaborate with leading experts and contribute to impactful research in areas such as:

• Pediatric population health informatics
• Economic evaluation and cost-effectiveness in child health
• Pediatric end-stage organ disease and transplantation
• Transition from pediatric to adult healthcare
• Medicaid policy and healthcare financing
• Quality improvement and outcome measurement
• Immunization policy and access
• Adherence to medical regimens
• Barriers to care and health equity
• Decision modeling and acute care outcomes

The CHEAR Fellowship at the University of Michigan is open to 

U.S. citizens and permanent residents only, since the program does not currently provide visa sponsorship.

The fellowship welcomes applicants from diverse academic and clinical backgrounds.

1. Physicians (MD/DO)

Eligible applicants include:

• Third-year pediatrics residents or fourth-year internal medicine/pediatrics residents (any institution)
• First-year pediatric subspecialty fellows at the University of Michigan Medical School
• Incoming fellows matched to UM programs
• Pediatric faculty members at the University of Michigan (instructional or clinical track)

2. Non-Physician Clinicians

• Includes nurses, physician assistants, and mental health professionals interested in pediatric health services research.
• Must contact the Program Director prior to applying.

3. PhD Graduates or Candidates

• Applicants holding or completing a doctoral degree (PhD or equivalent) in public health, health policy, decision sciences, management science, economics, or related fields.
• PhD applicants to the UM Pediatric Psychology Fellowship may combine it with CHEAR Fellowship training.

Note: The CHEAR Fellowship does not provide visa sponsorship at this time.

Interested candidates should prepare the following documents:

• Fellowship application form (available on the CHEAR website)
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) - clearly indicate your current academic or training status
• Statement of Purpose (≤1,000 words) - outline your background, research interests, and motivation
• Writing Sample - such as a report, manuscript, or publication

Application Deadline:

• December 31, 2025 (Priority consideration for early applicants)
• Program Start Date: Flexible, beginning in 2026
• All application materials and inquiries should be directed to: [email protected]

The CHEAR Fellowship at the University of Michigan is a unique opportunity to join one of the leading centers for child health research in the U.S. Fellows gain world-class mentorship, funding for advanced training, and access to vast data resources to conduct high-impact research that shapes pediatric health policy and practice.