National Falls Prevention Fellowship Program

The goal of the ACL/NCOA National Falls Prevention Fellowship Program is to cultivate leaders who will explore research and champion systems change solutions focused on mitigating older adult falls, falls risk factors, and fall-related injuries to reduce the personal and financial costs of older adult falls and improve the lives of older adults. 

What are the objectives of the National Falls Prevention Fellowship Program?

1. Increase and enhance leadership in falls prevention 
2. Increase fellows' knowledge and skills in falls prevention policy, service delivery, and research
3. Produce novel practices and systems change solutions that address gaps in knowledge and barriers to reducing falls, falls risk factors, and fall-related injuries among older adults

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.

Application timeline

Frequently asked questions

What are the fellowship selection criteria?

Selection criteria are based on experience, commitment to falls prevention issues, leadership potential, and interest in developing systems change that would have a long-term impact on reducing falls, falls risk factors, and fall-related injuries to improve the lives of older adults.

What are examples of fellowship topics you would like to see in the applications?

Fellowship topics may include but are not limited to falls prevention in relation to:

• Age-friendly communities
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Emergency response services/first responders
• Health disparities
• Health systems
• Health technology
• Home and community-based services
• Clinical and community models of care
• Housing
• Nutrition
• Implementation science
• Interprofessional practice and education
• Long-term care and long-term services and supports
• Person-centered care
• Policy and/or regulatory change
• Public health
• Rural health
• Service delivery
• Social determinants of health

Fellows are also encouraged to explore how the field could move toward recognizing and managing older adult falls as a chronic condition. 

What personal qualities, skills, or experiences is the program seeking?

The program seeks forward-thinking individuals who are willing to challenge themselves. They will demonstrate leadership in their work, initiative, curiosity, openness to new ideas, and problem-solving skills. Other preferred qualities include critical thinking, strong written and verbal communication skills, a commitment to their work, and an understanding of the U.S. heath and aging policy landscape.

What is the estimated time commitment each month of the fellowship?

Fellows will devote an estimated 10-15 hours per month of the one-year fellowship plus participation in a two-day National Falls Prevention Summit in Arlington, Virginia, where they will present on their capstone project plan.

How do I apply for the National Falls Prevention Fellowship Program?

The fellowship application consists of three essay questions and supporting documents including a CV/resume and three letters of reference (one from applicants’ current institution or organization and two from colleagues or mentors). Learn more or complete an application.

Applicants should log in to the application portal and familiarize themselves with the online application requirements well before the submission deadline. Please note that in the 24-hour period leading up to the application deadline, staff may not be able to assist all applicants with any system-related issues. Applicants are encouraged to submit their application well before the deadline so that any unforeseen difficulties or technical problems may be addressed in advance.

While late submissions will not be accepted, NCOA may choose, at its sole discretion, to extend the application deadline for all applicants. NCOA strives to give all applicants any support needed to successfully submit their application prior to the deadline. Submission is defined as all sections completed, marked finished, the application “submit” button used, and the application status shows “Submitted.”

How does NCOA work in falls prevention?

NCOA is funded by the Administration for Community Living (ACL) to lead the National Falls Prevention Resource Center. The National Falls Prevention Resource Center (NFPRC) provides leadership, guidance, and technical assistance to the falls prevention network of partners, including ACL-funded Falls Prevention grantees, state and local aging and public health agencies, and community-based organizations to increase public awareness about the risk of falls and how to prevent them.

The Resource Center also serves as a national clearinghouse to highlight and share best practices, resources, and information on evidence-based falls prevention programs and other evidence-based programs and practices. 

The Fellowship Program will support the mission and efforts of the National Falls Prevention Resource Center by exploring gaps in service and barriers to service delivery, identifying solutions, and advancing systems change approaches to address the barriers that many providers encounter in their work to support the health, safety, and independence of the older adults they serve. 

Please email healthyaging@ncoa.org with any questions regarding the National Falls Prevention Fellowship program opportunity.