Implementation Science Fellowship Program
The Penn State CTSI Implementation Science Faculty Fellowship provides training, mentorship and practical research experience for Penn State faculty members and research scientists interested in applying implementation science to their research programs.
Applications for the 2027–2028 fellowship are due by 11:59 p.m. ET on Nov. 15, 2026.
About the Fellowship
Implementation science is the study of methods that promote the adoption and integration of evidence-based practices, interventions and policies into routine health care and public health settings. By strengthening the use of evidence-based approaches, implementation science can help improve population health outcomes.
This one-year fellowship will provide fellows with a theoretical, methodological and scientific foundation in implementation science that can be applied across clinical and community health topics. Fellows will receive active mentoring from one or more experienced implementation science researchers at Penn State and develop the knowledge and skills needed to prepare an R-series grant proposal or equivalent external funding proposal.
The fellowship also supports Penn State’s capacity to conduct implementation science research across the Commonwealth and beyond, with particular attention to rural communities and other CTSI focus areas.
Program Details and Application Process
During the fellowship, the awardee will:
Complete the self-directed TIDIRC Open Access course or an equivalent implementation science course during the first three months of the fellowship and discuss the content and learning objectives with their mentor or mentors.
Apply implementation science principles or methods to a current research project or a new project that can be completed during the fellowship period.
Meet regularly with mentors to discuss fellowship progress, research activities and deliverables.
Participate in the CTSI Dissemination and Implementation Science Program (DISP), including regular team meetings, consultations, workgroup planning, seminar and workshop presentations and other programmatic activities.
Gain practical experience in implementation science through engagement with DISP faculty, mentors and collaborators.
Submit two brief progress reports to Penn State CTSI.
Develop an R-series grant proposal or equivalent external funding proposal by the end of the fellowship.
Attend the Annual Conference on the Science of Dissemination and Implementation in Health.
Full-time Penn State faculty members and research scientists at any Penn State campus are eligible to apply. Early-career researchers are encouraged to apply.
Applicants should demonstrate an interest in implementation science and propose a project that applies implementation science frameworks or methods to a current research program or a feasible new project.
Applicants should submit a complete application as a single PDF through InfoReady. The application may not exceed four single-spaced pages, using Arial 11-point font and half-inch margins, and should include:
A cover page with the proposal title, applicant information and a lay abstract of no more than 200 words.
A personal statement describing the applicant’s research program, its connection to implementation science, grant-writing experience and motivation for seeking implementation science training.
A concept proposal describing the project’s specific aims and general approach. The proposal should identify the evidence-based practices, interventions or policies to be implemented; the proposed implementation strategy; implementation outcomes; and the overall research plan.
An explanation of how the project will support an external funding proposal, including specific funding opportunities or requests for applications, when applicable.
A budget, including the cost of up to two course buyouts or equivalent support, or up to 0.10 FTE for an academic year.
Confirmation from the applicant’s department chair or institutional leader of the requested protected time and funding to attend the Annual Conference on the Science of Dissemination and Implementation in Health.
Additional attachments, which do not count toward the four-page limit, should include:
The applicant’s NIH biographical sketch, up to five pages, following current NIH SciENcv guidance.
A letter of support from the applicant’s department chair or institutional leader addressing the requested protected time, conference support, the applicant’s potential to pursue implementation science research and the department’s interest in and support for implementation science.
Appendices should not be included. The complete proposal must be submitted as one PDF document.
Applications will be reviewed based on:
The innovation, significance, rigor, feasibility and relevance of the proposed implementation science project.
The project’s alignment with CTSI focus areas, such as rural health, translational science and clinical trials.
The applicant’s match with DISP workgroup mentors.
The clarity of the applicant’s rationale for participating in the fellowship and how the experience will advance their research career.
The likelihood that the fellowship will result in an R-series grant proposal or equivalent external funding proposal.
The strength of departmental support and commitment.
Collaboration with other CTSI programs is highly encouraged but not required.
The fellowship can support the awardee’s salary or research-protected time equivalent to up to two course buyouts—one per semester—or up to 0.10 FTE during the fellowship period, subject to the current National Institutes of Health salary cap and applicable institutional rates.
Applicants must identify departmental commitment or other funds to support attendance at the Annual Conference on the Science of Dissemination and Implementation in Health. At least $2,500 must be available to cover conference travel and related expenses.
The fellowship period is June 1, 2027–May 31, 2028.
Application deadline: Nov. 15, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET
Award announcement: Jan. 11, 2027
Fellowship period: June 1, 2027–May 31, 2028
Applicants must use their Penn State credentials and complete the required Penn State Single Sign-On authentication before submitting through InfoReady. The complete proposal must be submitted as one PDF document.
Awardees must provide a mid-year progress report by Jan. 31, 2028, and a final report no later than 30 days after the end of the fellowship, by June 30, 2028. Reports should describe progress made and completed deliverables, including the status of the external grant proposal and related scholarly products, such as manuscripts and conference abstracts. Awardees may also be asked to complete additional evaluation surveys.