The HKS Health Fellowship is a one-year program developed to propel talented recent graduates who are committed to improving health care environments through design. The fellow pursues research while working on design projects in our award-winning health studio.

The prestigious fellowship — open to applicants finishing their undergraduate or graduate studies — is much more than an academic opportunity to delve into a topic of choice. The winning applicant is given full-time employment at HKS and the opportunity to continue his or her career with the firm after the one-year fellowship term.

Fellows work with some of the most influential architects and researchers in the profession and have access to networking and travel opportunities.

The winning applicant is given full-time employment at HKS and the opportunity to continue his or her career with the firm after the one-year fellowship term.

“The Health Fellowship allowed me to investigate a topic I was deeply passionate about. It opened doors within the firm and industry to connect with thought leaders and be mentored in healthcare planning, research, and design.”

Hannah Shultz, Medical Planner

How It Works

Each year, the HKS Health studio leadership and previous fellows assist the incoming fellow to develop a research topic. This topic will be based on the fellow’s particular area of interest and strategic initiatives within the HKS Health studio.

Suggested topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Mental and Behavioral Health
• Digital Physical
• Sustainability / Building Performance
• Caregiver Resilience
• Benchmarking Projects / Data
• Healthy Campuses / Social Design Focus

The fellow will also get the opportunity to attend one health-related conference to support research and education, coordinated through the committee of mentors.

At the end of the fellowship, the designer delivers results, that may include, but is not limited to a research paper or a design tool. 

HKS leaders will work with the selected Health Fellow to pair them with the HKS office location and mentorship that can best support their research interests. During the interview stage, fellows can relay their office preference with firm leadership and discuss that office’s ability to support their research.

“We prioritize research in everything we do, and the fellowship infuses this mentality into a unique entry-level position. It’s creating the next leaders in our firm.”

Southern Ellis, Architect

Important Dates & Applying

Applications open
November 1, 2023

Applications close
January 2, 2024

Interviews via Zoom
Mid-January

Fellow announced 
Late January

Fellowship Advisors

Health Fellow Research Studies

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