On behalf of the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, The Commonwealth Fund is pleased to announce the 2010-11 Australian-American Health Policy Fellowship.

The Australian-American Health Policy Fellowship offers a unique opportunity for outstanding, mid-career U.S. professionals – academics, government officials, clinical leaders, decision makers in managed care and other private health care organizations, and journalists –  to spend up to 10 months in Australia conducting research and working with leading Australian health policy experts on issues relevant to both countries. The Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing hopes to enrich health policy thinking as Australian-American Health Policy Fellows study how Australia approaches health policy issues, share lessons learned from the United States, and develop an international perspective and network of contacts to facilitate policy exchange and collaboration that extends beyond the fellowship experience.

The fellowship is structured around mutual areas of interest, for example: health care quality and safety, the private/public mix of insurance and providers, fiscal sustainability of health systems, management and efficiency of health care delivery, health care workforce, and investment in preventive care strategies. Proposals should address one of the program’s areas of interest and clearly demonstrate: the intention to combine research and practical experience; the relevance to both the United States and Australia; achievable outcomes, given the duration of the placement; and the potential to advance policy in Australia and the United States. U.S. Citizenship is a requirement for eligibility.

The fellow will be placed at an academic institution, in a Commonwealth or State health department, or at another health agency.  Leading policy experts will be assigned as mentors and will supervise the fellow’s research, provide technical expertise and guidance, and facilitate access to data, colleagues, and organizations.  In addition to undertaking original policy research,  the fellow will participate in seminars and policy briefings, which include meetings with senior officials at the Commonwealth and State levels, Ministerial officers, service providers, academics, and other stakeholders in the public and private sectors.  At the end of his/her tenure, the fellow will produce a report and present project findings to senior government officials and policy experts at a final reporting seminar.

The Australian-American Health Policy Fellowship is sponsored by the Australian Department of Health and Ageing.  Administration of the program in the United States is provided by The Commonwealth Fund, a New York City-based private foundation that supports independent research on health and social issues and makes grants to improve health care practice and policy.

The Fellowship provides up to $55,000 (AUD) for six to ten months in Australia. In addition, a supplemental allowance is provided to fellows accompanied by a spouse and/or children.

The deadline for receipt of applications for the 2010-11 fellowship is August 15, 2009.

For further information on the 2010-11 Australian-American Health Policy Fellowships and to obtain an application, please see http://www.commonwealthfund.org/fellowships/.  For questions, contact Robin Osborn, The Commonwealth Fund (tel.: 212-606-3809; email: ro@cmwf.org)