HPC 2026 Summer Fellowship Program

Health Policy Commission; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 10,800 - 13,200; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid fellowship ($32/hour)

Hybrid work model

Networking opportunities

Job summary

A state health agency seeks exceptional graduate students for its 2026 Summer Fellowship Program in Boston. The program offers a ten-week paid experience where fellows guide projects while engaging with their department. Ideal candidates are passionate about health policy, possess strong communication skills, and hold a commitment to diversity and equity in health care. The role involves collaboration, research, and networking activities, with a pay rate of $32/hour for full-time work over the summer.

Qualifications

• Applicants must have prior internship or fellowship experience.
• Ideal candidates are problem-solvers and clear writers of technical and policy content.
• Strong collaborative spirit and passion for health policy.

Responsibilities

• Engage daily with assigned department to guide projects.
• Apply equity lens to fellowship projects.
• Participate in orientation and organized educational activities.

Skills

Written and oral communication skills

Problem-solving

Collaborative

Self-motivated

Education

Currently enrolled in Master's, PhD, law, or medical program

Job description

Join to apply for the HPC 2026 Summer Fellowship Program role at Health Policy Commission.

Application deadline is Tuesday, January 20, 2026.

The Massachusetts Health Policy Commission (HPC) is an independent state agency charged with monitoring health care cost trends and making policy recommendations to improve the affordability of health care for all residents of the Commonwealth.

Through data-driven analysis, actionable policy insights, public accountability, and innovative investments, the HPC seeks to improve health care delivery, lower costs, and reduce health disparities. The HPC is committed to better health and better care – at a lower cost – for all residents of the Commonwealth.

The HPC seeks exceptional graduate students for its annual Summer Fellowship program and plans to hire up to ten (10) fellows for ten weeks of programming spanning June 1, 2026 through August 14, 2026. Summer fellows will engage daily with their assigned department to guide a project from inception to completion, while also exploring the intersection of HPC goals and their own academic interests. Consistent with the HPC’s commitment to advance health equity in the Commonwealth, fellows will be encouraged to apply an equity lens to their projects.

Past fellowship projects have ranged from conducting research and analysis using data from the All‑Payer Claims Database to tracking and reporting on legislative activity in the Commonwealth. The 2025 Summer Fellowship Program Report contains reflections from the most recent class of fellows as well as summaries of fellow projects.

In addition to their primary projects, fellows will participate in an orientation program and a series of organized educational and networking activities throughout the summer.

Office options

• Office of the Chief of Staff
• Office of the General Counsel and Office of Patient Protection
• Behavioral Health Workforce Center
• Health Care Transformation and Innovation department
• Market Oversight and Transparency department
• Office of Health Resource Planning
• Office of Pharmaceutical Policy and Analysis
• Research and Cost Trends department

Qualifications

Applicants must currently be enrolled full‑time in a Master’s, PhD, law, or medical program. All applicants must have prior internship or fellowship experience and strong written and oral communication skills.

The ideal applicant is a problem‑solver, a clear and concise writer of technical and policy content, with an ability to understand various stakeholder perspectives. Successful candidates will be collaborative, self‑motivated, and passionate about health policy.

Additional Requirements

Applications must include a cover letter detailing the reason(s) the applicant would like to work for the HPC this summer. The cover letter should also indicate the HPC department or office they are most interested in supporting. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

Candidates who are invited for a virtual interview will be required to provide three references during the interview process, using a form provided by the HPC. After offers have been extended and accepted, selected candidates will be required to complete a background check.

Fellows will be expected to work full time (37.5 hours per week) Monday through Friday, for ten weeks spanning from June 1, 2026 to August 14, 2026. Fellows will be paid $32/hour for a total summer payment of up to $12,000. Fellows will be required to sign a contract regarding the obligations of the program.

Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States.

The HPC operates a hybrid work schedule, with employees and fellows splitting their time between the downtown Boston office and remote work.

Our Commitment

The HPC is committed to a policy of non‑discrimination and equal employment opportunity. We recognize that diversity in the workplace is a source of strength, vital to its ability to effectively advance its mission. The HPC is committed to:

• Actively promoting diversity in our workforce, including greater racial and ethnic diversity, at all levels of the organization;
• Fostering a work environment in which all employees are inspired to do their best, strengthened by their different perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences;
• Ensuring that no employee’s growth, achievement, or advancement is hindered because of race, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, religion, age, genetic information, gender identity, pregnancy, veteran status, or disability;
• Holding ourselves to a high standard of inclusion and opportunity that will serve as a model for other public and private employers throughout the Commonwealth;
• Promoting our core values of equal opportunity, equal justice, and inclusion in HPC actions and initiatives.