National Falls Prevention Fellowship Program Opportunity

The Administration for Community Living (ACL) and NCOA aim to cultivate leaders in the falls prevention network. 

Up to four fellows will each be awarded up to $50,000 to conduct a policy, research, and/or programmatic project that addresses systemic barriers to preventing falls.

What is the National Falls Prevention Fellowship Program?

The National Falls Prevention Fellowship Program aims to cultivate leaders in the falls prevention network. Up to four fellows will each be awarded up to $50,000 to conduct a policy, research, and/or programmatic project that addresses systemic barriers to preventing falls. Fellows will be selected based on their: experience; commitment to falls prevention issues; leadership potential; and interest in systems change approaches to reduce falls, falls risk factors, and fall-related injuries, aiming to improve the lives of older adults and reduce the personal and financial costs of older adult falls. The fellowship program has an interdisciplinary focus and seeks applicants who are forward-thinking individuals with diverse backgrounds and interests including addressing the needs of traditionally underserved populations at high risk for falls.  

Core components of the year-long fellowship will include: engagement with a broad range of national experts from public, private, and non-profit sectors to foster collaboration across diverse sectors; development opportunities to enhance fellows’ knowledge around key falls prevention and related issues; mentorship to develop leadership skills and build knowledge and skills that support fellows’ career goals and enhance their ability to affect change; and monthly meetings with the NCOA Policy and Advocacy Team to provide insight into the policy-making process and regulations that impact health and social care concerning falls and injury prevention, aiming to foster systems change approaches and solutions that reduce falls among older adults in the U.S.   

Fellows will create a fellowship plan and individualized learning objectives in collaboration with NCOA to ensure that the fellowship experience supports their current and long-term goals. NCOA will review these plans with each fellow during regular meetings throughout the program to identify areas for assistance as needed.

Fellows will develop and implement a capstone project that identifies and addresses a barrier, problem, or need related to falls among older adults and is designed to have long-term impact and significant contributions to the field. These projects may vary in topic, but all will share the theme of systems change approaches to reduce falls, falls risk factors, and fall-related injuries. They should demonstrate the potential to impact policy, contribute knowledge, build partnerships, develop solutions, and/or identify collaborative strategies encompassing clinical, community, and technological interventions to advance the recognition and management of older adult falls as a chronic condition. Capstone projects may include studies, practical experience at regulatory agencies and/or organizations, workshops, public lectures, or other professional experiences. Capstone project topics will be determined by each fellow in collaboration with NCOA, ACL, and the Fellowship Advisory Committee.

Fellows will present their capstone project plans at NCOA’s National Falls Prevention Summit, Sept. 9-10 in Arlington, Virginia, and submit a paper to a peer reviewed journal on the capstone project process and/or findings.

Eligibility

This fellowship opportunity is open to applicants from diverse backgrounds and interests including, but not limited to, practitioners, clinicians, academics, and community leaders. The fellowship program seeks forward-thinking individuals who contribute diverse perspectives related to race, ethnicity, gender, and discipline. Candidates from underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. or its territories who have career plans and anticipate continued work in the U.S. after the fellowship period. It is expected that, barring unforeseen emergencies, fellows will engage in the fellowship for the full one-year tenure of the award. We seek to award fellows at any point in their career trajectory, with at least 5 years of relevant experience.

https://www.ncoa.org/article/national-falls-prevention-fellowship-program