Champions for Health Services and Prevention Research Program
This program trains early- and mid-career health researchers in policy communication and advocacy to promote evidence-based health policy through hands-on engagement with policymakers.
Funder: AcademyHealth
Due Dates: Applications closed (last cycle: September 2025 notifications)
Funding Amounts: No direct funding; program provides 15 months of training and engagement for 20 selected Research Champions.
Summary: Trains early- and mid-career health services and prevention researchers to communicate evidence to policymakers and champion evidence-based health policy.
Key Information: Selected participants must be or become AcademyHealth members and commit to full program participation.
Description
The Champions for Health Services and Prevention Research Program, launched by AcademyHealth with support from the Doris Duke Foundation, is a 15-month professional development initiative. It is designed to enhance the policy and communication skills of early- and mid-career researchers and professionals in health services and prevention research. The program selects 20 Research Champions who participate in a comprehensive online training course on effective communication and policy processes, followed by a year of structured engagement with policymakers in their local communities. The goal is to foster community-based advocacy, build trust, and promote evidence-informed policymaking to improve health outcomes.
