HPC 2026 Summer Fellowship Program

Please note: 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.

Fellowships are available in all departmetns and offices. Fellows should indicate which of the below options they are applying to support in their application.

Office of the Chief of Staff , which ensures that the HPC produces timely, high-quality deliverables and informs the public and stakeholders of the HPC’s mission, policies, and programs in a consistent and credible manner. This department is responsible for the HPC’s legislative affairs and media relations, in addition to broader agency oversight.

Office of the General Counsel and Office of Patient Protection , which provides legal counsel and advice on a wide range of strategic, policy, and operational topics for the HPC. 

Behavioral Health Workforce Center , which conducts research and makes data-informed policy recommendations to strengthen the behavioral health workforce in Massachusetts.

Health Care Transformation and Innovation department, which is responsible for developing a coordinated strategy to advance care delivery transformation policy and programs, including developing and implementing the HPC’s grantmaking strategy. 

Market Oversight and Transparency department, which is responsible for advancing the HPC’s work to strengthen market functioning and health system transparency to encourage a more value-based health care market.

Office of Health Resource Planning , which is charged with evaluating the supply and distribution of health care resources across the Commonwealth. This new office leads the Commonwealth's first comprehensive state health planning initiative in over a decade, using data analysis and strategic planning to promote the alignment of health care resources with population needs.

Office of Pharmaceutical Policy and Analysis , which collects and analyzes pharmaceutical data, conducting analyses related to access, affordability, and spending on pharmaceutical drugs in the Commonwealth, and developing recommendations related to pharmaceutical policy.

Research and Cost Trends department, which examines spending trends and underlying drivers, and develops evidence-based policy recommendations for strategies to increase the efficiency of the health care system. 

~ ~ ~

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.