Overview

With a focus on Learning Health Systems (LHS), national VA and University of Minnesota partnerships and learning opportunities, and a robust interprofessional training environment, the CCDOR-HSR fellowship program trains the next generation of physician and postdoctoral research fellows with the skills needed to become change agents in public and private healthcare systems. Fellowship alumni have gone on to hold leadership positions in VA, academia, state government, and the private sector. Scholars interested in mental health, chronic pain and opioids, substance use disorder, health disparities, implementation science, Learning Health Systems (LHS), and cancer prevention and screening may find CCDOR a particularly good fit, but other candidates are encouraged to apply. 

Details

• 2 years training (optional 3rd year) to include experiential learning, embedded research, and formal methodologic training
• Annual stipend + health insurance benefits
• Approximately 75-80% of time for research and education and 20-25% in health care system improvement (and/or clinical care, for clinician fellows) at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System.
  • Clinician fellows have opportunities to provide outpatient and/or inpatient care at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center and to teach in the University of Minnesota Medical School.
• Mentorship from a primary research mentor and an operations mentor to help fellows address high-priority research questions, navigate systems barriers to change, and conduct more impactful research
• Option to complete a master’s degree

Eligibility

Open to PhD graduates or candidates, associated health or nursing professionals, and physicians, who are US citizens.

• PhD and other doctoral level fellows, including doctorally trained nurses must have completed a doctorate in health systems research, nursing, public health, the social sciences, statistics, bioscience, or related fields prior to start. Clinical and counseling psychologists and non-physician health care providers may also have the opportunity for clinical experiences during their fellowship, up to 25% of their time.
• MD or DO fellows must have graduated from an ACGME–accredited residency, be board certified or board eligible, and have an active unrestricted U.S. medical license by the start of the fellowship. International medical graduates must have an ECFMG certificate that is valid indefinitely. Physicians in all areas are encouraged to apply, but those who are in internal medicine, psychiatry, or rehabilitation medicine will have a broader pool of mentors from which to choose.

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Interested candidates should email ccdor.fellowship@va.gov with:

• a cover letter stating career interests and fellowship goals
• CV
• 2 letters of recommendation
• a writing sample

Application deadline: December 15, 2026