Health Equity Scholars Program 2024-25

In 2021, the Scholars Strategy Network, with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, introduced the Health Equity Scholars Program. The program's creation was motivated by fostering healthy communities and a commitment to policy and health equity. Now in its third year, SSN is committed to the ongoing support of this program and its primary goal of promoting health equity throughout the United States.

The 2024-25 HESP cohort is a talented community of early-career scholars researching social determinants of health. The program is structured to enable cohort members to disseminate their research findings among peers, senior scholars, policymakers, media, and practitioners. This sharing of diverse perspectives aims to shed light on how to conduct rigorous and actionable research and apply it to public health. This collaborative environment fosters a sense of inclusion and cross-disciplinary communication, encouraging participants to push the boundaries of their research and its real-world applications.

HESP's year-long schedule, starting at the beginning of the 2024 academic year and extending through the summer of 2025, is designed to foster relationships. The calendar includes an early 2025 cohort gathering, ongoing virtual group workshops and training sessions, and individual support from SSN staff. These resources are specifically designed to empower participants with the tools and skills required to communicate their research findings to policy stakeholders, enhance their professional development, and foster relationships with their peers and senior scholars.

• Share research findings in a clear and accessible way to raise awareness and increase engagement.
• Partner with policymakers and community organizations to ensure that research is used to make a positive impact.
• Commitment to conducting research centered on community needs and promoting equity. This focus is at the heart of our mission and guides our scholars in their research endeavors.
• Develop strategies for successful grant applications to secure funding for critical research.
• Balance professional development goals with public engagement to ensure that research has a real-world impact.

Check out our cohorts from 2021 and 2023.