Help Shape the Future of Rural Health
Are you passionate about rural health, community partnerships, and turning research into real-world impact? The Interdisciplinary Rural Health Equity Hub at Duke University is seeking a Civic Science Fellow to help strengthen connections between scientific research and rural communities across North Carolina.
This unique 19-month fellowship (September 2026–June 2028) is part of the national Civic Science Fellows Program, an interdisciplinary initiative that brings together scientists, practitioners, communicators, and community leaders to build stronger relationships between science and society.
Based at Duke University, the Fellow will work alongside faculty, community organizations, healthcare partners, and rural residents to co-create solutions that address pressing rural health challenges.
As the Rural Health Equity Civic Science Fellow, you’ll play a key role in advancing community-centered approaches to improving health by:
- Supporting Duke’s Rural Health Community of Practice and strengthening partnerships across sectors.
- Planning and facilitating community-engaged workshops, meetings, and events.
- Helping develop innovative solutions through the Hub’s Regional Rural Incubator.
- Creating practical resources such as toolkits, implementation guides, briefs, and frameworks.
- Contributing to community-engaged research, evaluation, and action-oriented projects.
- Translating research findings into accessible, actionable knowledge for communities and decision-makers.
- Assisting with grant development to expand rural health equity initiatives.
The fellowship offers an opportunity to work at the intersection of research, community engagement, public health, and collaborative problem-solving while becoming part of a national network of Civic Science Fellows.
Who Should Apply?
The Hub welcomes applicants with a master’s degree or higher (PhD welcome but not required) who have experience in areas such as:
- Rural health
- Public health
- Healthcare delivery
- Community development
- Community-engaged research
- Health equity
Successful candidates will bring strengths in collaboration, facilitation, communication, project coordination, and partnership building, along with a commitment to working alongside rural communities to address local priorities.
Join a National Movement
As part of the Civic Science Fellows Program, you’ll collaborate with a nationwide network of leaders dedicated to making science more responsive, inclusive, and connected to community needs. It’s an opportunity to develop innovative approaches to civic science while helping improve health outcomes for rural communities.
Applications are now open. If you’re ready to bridge research and community action while advancing rural health equity, we encourage you to apply.
Learn more about the Civic Science Fellows Program: https://civicsciencefellows.org/
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The Interdisciplinary Rural Health Equity Hub is a collaborative Duke initiative that brings together expertise from the School of Nursing, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke Divinity School, and the Social Science Research Institute (SSRI). The Hub works with rural communities across North Carolina to advance health equity through interdisciplinary research, community partnership, and action.
Core initiatives include the Rural Health Community of Practice, pilot funding opportunities, and the Regional Rural Incubator, all designed to foster innovative, community-driven solutions to rural health challenges.
The position is based in Durham, North Carolina, with activities taking place in Vance, Granville, and surrounding counties. Applicants should reside in the local area to participate in in-person meetings and community engagement activities.