Become an Atlantic Fellow for Equity in Brain Health

Join a global community of more than 300 Atlantic Fellows from over 65 countries worldwide, dedicated to protecting the world’s aging populations from threats to brain health. The Atlantic Fellows for Equity in Brain Health program at the Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI) provides innovative training, networking, and support to emerging leaders focused on improving brain health and reducing the impact of dementia in their local communities and on a global scale. It is one of seven global Atlantic Fellows programs to promote societies that expand opportunity, improve health, and foster belonging.

The program is for professionals from a wide range of disciplines, including the arts, sciences, economics, policy, medicine, journalism, community-based practice and much more. Whatever the discipline, we are looking for individuals working in the area of brain health and dementia who have great ideas, enthusiasm and leadership potential. 

2027–28 applications are now open.

Fellowship Highlights

1. Year-long fellowship at either the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) in the United States or at Trinity College Dublin (Trinity) in Ireland.
2. Access to a network of world-class researchers, clinicians, artists, and policy makers for career-duration collaborations.
3.  Values-based program enriched by the unique aspects and expertise of our two sites.
4. Curriculum that develops an equity-informed understanding of brain health and dementia, drawing on clinical, scientific, and humanities expertise.
5. Observational and case-based learning in clinical and community settings.
6. Leadership development and skills training.
7. Competitively awarded funding opportunities through the Pilot Awards for Global Brain Health Leaders program support projects aimed at improving brain health outcomes in fellows' home communities
8. Intensive mentoring to guide fellows in the development of their projects, career and leadership.
9. Academic recognition through Certificate in Equity in Brain Health awarded by UCSF or Trinity.
10. Part of the global community of Atlantic Fellows programs to advance fairer, healthier, and more inclusive societies.

Benefits of Fellowship

Curriculum

Fellows at both sites participate in an interdisciplinary curriculum focused on brain health, dementia, and health equity. Learning is grounded in lived experiences of people with dementia and includes case-based and experiential components. Fellows develop skills in communication, research design, leadership, and advocacy—preparing them to become transformative leaders in brain health. 

Career Development and Pilot funding

Throughout the program and beyond fellows will receive career mentorship from faculty at GBHI and in their local community. Mentors will help fellows to realize their goals and be transformative and will assist them in applying for competitive pilot awards of up to $25,000 to begin an ambitious project in their home community.

Lifelong Fellowship

Becoming an Atlantic Fellow for Equity in Brain Health doesn’t end upon completion of the program. In fact, our fellows become part of a lifelong engaged community which extends and amplifies the impact of the fellowship. The inter professional and interdisciplinary nature of the program encourages collaborations across sectors and each fellow contributes greatly to the cohort through sharing their experience and expertise.

Becoming an Atlantic Fellow for Equity in Brain Health is the beginning of a lifelong fellowship. Graduates join a global community of Atlantic Fellows for Equity in Brain Health while also becoming part of the broader Atlantic Fellows network, connecting with leaders from across the world who are advancing equity in diverse fields. These lifelong relationships foster collaboration, shared learning, and collective action, with each fellow contributing their unique experience and expertise to strengthen the community.

Fellowship Sites

Atlantic Fellows for Equity in Brain Health complete their fellowship year at one of two sites: UCSF or Trinity. Both sites share a commitment to advancing equity in brain health and follow a common program structure while drawing on their unique institutional and regional strengths.

Fellows at UCSF complete a part-time, global hybrid fellowship that blends weekly online learning with international in-person sessions and optional visits to San Francisco. Fellows at Trinity complete a full-time, in-person fellowship based in Dublin.

While both programs share the same core structure and values, they are locally delivered, reflecting each site's expertise and context. Fellows also connect through shared workshops and activities, including the GBHI Annual Conference.

Applicants may apply to only one fellowship site per application cycle. We encourage you to review both programs carefully and choose the site that best aligns with your professional goals, availability, and preferred learning format before submitting your application.

More Brain Health Equity Opportunities

Apply to Fellowship  

Thank you for your interest in joining a community dedicated to advancing brain health and creating a healthier future for all. 

Applicants may apply to only one fellowship site per application cycle. We encourage you to review both programs carefully and choose the site that best aligns with your professional goals, availability, and preferred learning format. While both programs share the same mission, values, and commitment to advancing brain health equity, they offer different learning experiences.

Apply to GBHI at UCSF

Apply to GBHI at Trinity