The CHEAR Fellowship 2026–2027 at the University of Michigan

If you are a physician, clinician, or PhD graduate passionate about advancing pediatric health services and outcomes research, the Child Health Evaluation and Research (CHEAR) Fellowship 2026–2027 at the University of Michigan is now accepting applications. This prestigious two-year fellowship offers rigorous, interdisciplinary training that combines didactics, mentorship, research, and professional development, equipping fellows with the skills to make a lasting impact in child health research and policy. Here's everything you need to know.

🎓 Fellowship Summary

• Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA

• Host Institution: Susan B. Meister Child Health Evaluation and Research Center (CHEAR), University of Michigan Medical School

• Level: Postdoctoral fellowship

• Target Group: Physicians, non-physician clinicians, PhD graduates or candidates interested in pediatric health services and outcomes research

• Fields of Focus: Pediatric health services research, child population health, health policy, outcomes research, epidemiology, decision sciences, and related areas

• Value & Coverage: Competitive salary (NIH guidelines), full benefits, and funding for a Master’s degree (for clinicians pursuing relevant graduate training)

• Duration: 2 years (2026–2028)

• Application Deadline: December 31, 2025 (priority review); rolling review until filled

• Start Date: Flexible, between July 2026 and June 2027

  
  

📚 Fellowship Overview

The CHEAR Fellowship provides fellows with a highly structured yet personalized training program, designed to foster expertise in child health research:

• Didactics: Weekly CHEAR seminar series featuring expert speakers, workshops on research methodology, skill-building sessions, and fellow-led works-in-progress. Clinician fellows typically pursue a Master’s degree in Health and Health Care Research, Clinical Research Design and Statistical Analysis, or another related program—with tuition covered by the fellowship.

• Structured Mentorship: Each fellow is paired with a primary mentor at CHEAR and supported by a mentorship committee of 2–3 additional University of Michigan faculty members.

• Experiential Research Training: Fellows conduct two independent research projects in pediatric health services or child population health, with access to CHEAR’s rich data resources. Expected outcomes include two first-authored, peer-reviewed publications and abstracts.

• Professional Socialization: Fellows present their work internally, participate in national conferences (such as the Pediatric Academic Societies and AcademyHealth), and engage with guest experts through CHEAR seminar events.

💰 Fellowship Benefits

• Competitive salary and benefits package (aligned with NIH guidelines).

• Funding for graduate study (for clinicians pursuing a Master’s degree during fellowship).

• Access to University of Michigan’s research resources and collaborative networks.

• Structured mentorship and opportunities to publish and present research at national forums.

• Networking and professional development within one of the largest child health research centers in the U.S.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must fall into one of the following categories:

1. Physicians (MD/DO):

   • 3rd-year pediatrics residents or 4th-year internal medicine/pediatrics residents (any institution).

   • 1st-year pediatric subspecialty fellows at the University of Michigan Medical School or incoming fellows matched at UM.

   • Pediatric physicians who are current or incoming UM Medical School faculty.

2. Non-physician, non-PhD clinicians:

   • Nurses, physician assistants, mental health practitioners, and similar professionals with a demonstrated interest in pediatric health services research.

3. PhD graduates or candidates:

   • Individuals with (or completing) a doctoral degree in public health, health policy, economics, management sciences, decision sciences, or related fields.

   • PhD applicants to UM’s pediatric psychology fellowship program who wish to combine with the CHEAR fellowship.

Applicants who do not clearly meet the eligibility categories are encouraged to contact the fellowship director for guidance before applying.

✍🏻 Application Procedure

Applicants must submit the following materials:

• Completed Fellowship Application Form

• Current curriculum vitae (CV) (clearly stating residency, fellowship, or PhD status)

• Statement of purpose (max 1,000 words) detailing background, research interests, and motivation

• One writing sample (report, manuscript, or published/unpublished paper)

• One letter of reference

• All materials should be sent via email to: chearfellowship@umich.edu.

ℹ️ Additional Information

• Applications received by December 31, 2025 will be prioritized, though rolling admissions may continue until positions are filled.

• Flexible start dates are available between July 2026 and June 2027.

• More information about CHEAR and its fellowship programs can be found at www.chear.org.

🗂️ Resources

Download the CHEAR fellowship flyer PDF here

🔗 Official Website

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