RAND–University of Pittsburgh Scholars Programs

The RAND–University of Pittsburgh Scholars Programs offer 2-year postdoctoral fellowship opportunities for individuals seeking to pursue careers in health services research, health policy, or comparative effectiveness research. The programs are sponsored by the RAND–University of Pittsburgh Health Institute (RUPHI), supported by two T32 training grants from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and housed jointly within the University of Pittsburgh Center for Research on Health Care and RAND Health in Pittsburgh.

Scholars take a 2-semester grant-writing course, a course in medical writing and presentation skills, and a course in the ethics of research. They may also take elective courses that are offered within the ICRE, opting to earn an MS or certificate in clinical research.

Scholars are aligned with ongoing health research projects of investigators from the University of Pittsburgh or the RAND Corporation offices in Pittsburgh, Santa Monica, and Washington, DC. This gives the scholars valuable research experience with a team of distinguished researchers from a variety of disciplines on projects that match their skills and interests. The projects are national, regional, or local in scope and involve various levels and types of stakeholders, as appropriate. The principal investigators of the projects serve as formal mentors to the scholars.

The program also offers scholars the opportunity to prepare local research proposals in partnership with one or more community organizations, including local health care providers or health plans, county health care departments and agencies, and social service organizations.

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