HKS Health and Health Interiors Fellowships
HKS is now accepting applications for two fellowship opportunities to propel talented recent graduates into active opportunities to improve health care environments through design. Through the HKS Health Fellowship and the new HKS Health Interiors Fellowship, fellows will be mentored by some of the most influential architects, interior designers and researchers in the profession, pursue self-directed research and have access to networking and travel opportunities.
Winning applicants receive full-time employment at HKS and the opportunity to continue their career with the firm after the one-year fellowship term.
“The Health Fellowship allowed me to investigate a topic I was deeply passionate about. It opened doors within the firm and industry to connect with thought leaders and be mentored in healthcare planning, research, and design.”
Hannah Shultz, Medical Planner
How the Fellowships Work
HKS will select one Health Fellow and one Health Interiors Fellow for the 2026-2027 term. Both fellows will join the HKS Health Studio for a one-year term where, in addition to hands-on project work, they will develop and execute a health design research topic based on each fellow’s particular area of interest and strategic initiatives within the HKS Health Studio.
Health Fellowship Topics
- Mental and Behavioral Health
- Digital Physical
- Sustainability / Building Performance
- Caregiver Resilience
- Benchmarking Projects / Data
- Healthy Campuses / Social Design
Health Interiors Topics
- Technology + AI
- Neurodivergent Design
- Mental and Behavioral Health
- Furniture Solutions
- Experience Design + Human Behavior and Psychology
- Material Innovation + Sustainability
At the end of the fellowship, each fellow delivers results, that may include, but are not limited to a research paper or a design tool.
HKS leaders work with the selected Health Fellow and Health Interiors Fellow to pair them with the HKS office location and mentorship that can best support their research interests. During the interview stage, fellows can relay their office preference with firm leadership and discuss that office’s ability to support their research.
“We prioritize research in everything we do, and the fellowship infuses this mentality into a unique entry-level position. It’s creating the next leaders in our firm.”
Southern Ellis,
HKS Senior Medical Planner and former HKS Health Fellow
Important Dates and Information
Applications open
November 3, 2025
Applications close
January 5, 2026
Interviews via Zoom
Late January/Early February
Fellow announced
February
