Gregory Shapen Public Health Fellow
Please apply here: Shapen Fellowship 2026 Application
Please find more information here: https://howardbrown.org/era/education/shapen-public-health-fellowship/
The Gregory Shapen Public Health Fellowship is a 10-week, summer fellowship intended to encourage undergraduate students from underrepresented populations (Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), low-income, LGBTQ+) to apply for employment and pursue careers in public health or community medicine. Howard Brown Health’s Department of Education will offer a community-based experience working in an LGBTQ+ focused health center to encourage professional development of future leaders and provide project management training in public health and the nonprofit sector. Howard Brown Health encourages applications from historically marginalized students who are interested in public health, research, and working in community health.
During the fellowship, students will learn project management skills and explore an LGBTQ+ health related topic of their choosing. Shapen Fellows are paid $20/hour and can work up to 30 hours a week. Up to 6 fellows are selected each summer. The fellowship may be hybrid or predominately virtual, depending on the team the fellow is placed with.
Undergraduate students who are currently enrolled Spring 2026 (and not graduating Spring 2026) or students who are planning to enroll Fall 2026 are invited to apply. If you are unsure if you are eligible, please reach out. Howard Brown Health encourages applications from LGBTQIA+ BIPOC students who are interested in public health, research, and working in community health. If you need an accommodation for the application process, please reach out.
Application Requirements
- Completed application form (below)
- Resume or CV
- Minimum 500-word essay that includes an introduction of yourself, a brief explanation describing your motivation for becoming a Shapen Fellow, and a brief paragraph explaining why you chose your first choice project.
- Link to submit resume/CV and essay: https://www.dropbox.com/request/6jI9vz6fDnPOD6v4XWwm
Please propose three projects you would be interested in working on over the summer. Students that are chosen for the fellowship will be matched with a Howard Brown preceptor who will help them develop one project. Shapen Fellows may also assist with other tasks for the team they're working with.
Examples of past projects include:
- Developing an advocacy project on LGBTQ+ immigrant health and wellbeing
- Working on HIV clinical research trials with our clinical research team
- Developing materials to help patients navigate access to gender affirming care
- Developing a research proposal related to LGBTQ+ mental health
- Building a toolkit of best practices for gender affirming care for providers
- Developing a resource for accessing gender affirming care in the Midwest
- Developing an advocacy project on the 340b drug pricing program
When developing your proposals, please note that we cannot accommodate research projects that would require IRB approval.
2026 Program Timeline:
- February 1st, 2026 – Applications open
- March 1st, 2026 at 11:59pm CST – Applications due
- April 13th, 2026 – Decision emails are sent
- May 2026 – Fellows will meet with program team to discuss projects and team assignments
- June 15th, 2026 – Fellowship begins
- August 21st, 2026 – Fellowship ends