VHA Innovation Ecosystem Fellowships

Under the Veterans Health Administration is the Office of Discovery, Education and Affiliate Networks, called DEAN for short. DEAN houses the Office of Academic Affiliations, the Office of Research & Development, the National Center for Healthcare Advancement and Partnership, and the Office of Healthcare Innovation and Learning (OHIL). 
 
VHA Innovation Ecosystem (IE) is nestled under OHIL and is comprised of 4 portfolios. 
 
VHA IE Fellowships, one of the 4, serves to develop the health care leaders of tomorrow. Fellowships is a direct pipeline of innovators who are ready to shape the future of our health care system and make a lasting impact within the VA community. 

VHA IE Fellowships is a structured program designed to cultivate and support emerging leaders and thinkers in their pursuit of innovative solutions to challenges posed in their health care settings. 

VHA IE Fellowships IS: 

• Hands-On Experience: Fellows engage in practical projects that allow them to apply their creative thinking and problem-solving skills in real-world contexts. 
• Mentorship and Guidance: Fellows receive support from experienced mentors and national stakeholders, providing valuable insights and feedback throughout their journey. 
• Collaborative Learning: VHA IE Fellows work closely with peers from diverse backgrounds, fostering collaboration and the exchange of ideas that can lead to groundbreaking solutions. 
• Skill Development: This Fellowship provides training and workshops that focus on essential skills such as design thinking, project management, and strategic planning, equipping fellows with the tools they need to drive innovation. 
• Networking Opportunities: Fellows have the chance to connect with a broad network of professionals, stakeholders, and organizations, enhancing their career prospects and collaborative potential. 
• Marketing, Media, and Communications: This unique opportunity gives Fellows access to a communications team that can assist them with internal and external avenues for highlighting their innovations. 
• Protected Time: Funding is sent to stations to cover up to 20% of your FTE. Funding is intended to cover salary. 

VHA IE Fellowships IS NOT: 

• A Traditional Internship: Unlike conventional internships that may focus primarily on task-oriented work, a Fellowship emphasizes exploration, creativity, and the development of new ideas rather than routine administrative or support tasks.
• A Guarantee of Success: While the Fellowship provides resources and support, it does not guarantee outcomes or success. Innovation often involves experimentation and learning from failures. 
• A One-Size-Fits-All Program: Each Fellow is unique, and their experience is tailored to the specific context and goals of their project. 
• A Linear Path: The journey of innovation is often non-linear, filled with twists and turns. A Fellowship encourages flexibility and adaptability rather than a strict adherence to a predetermined plan. 
• Research: This program is not research and is not intended to be utilized for projects to move through levels of research approvals (Institutional Review Board, Research and Development Committee, etc.). Fellowships can assist in prepping for evaluations and next steps but cannot be utilized to extend research grants. 
• Permanent Program Management: The support you receive in Fellowships is just that, support. Fellowships is a lot of work, both within the allotted protected time, and what you invest in it otherwise. The support you are given is a scaffold to propel you and your innovation to the next level, but it is temporary. Ensuring you automate processes, procedures, and begin with the end in mind are essential for continued success of your innovation. 
• Project Funding: Funding from Fellowships is not intended to purchase equipment, fund project management, or to be used for hiring or additional program expansion. 

VHA IE Fellowships: Choose your Own Adventure 

The Fellowship experience is driven by YOU! The relationships you create, the progress you make, and the avenues through which you succeed are your own adventure. The Fellowships support team can help you highlight, visualize, and streamline your processes and organization, but your innovation’s success is ultimately your responsibility.  

VHA IE established the Fellowships Program to empower seasoned innovative leaders of tomorrow and to spread mission-driven advances in health care delivery across VA. The program offers unique experiential learning opportunities for emerging and accomplished VA leaders with a dynamic presence, passion for innovation and vision for the future. 

Entrepreneur in Residence Fellows (EIR) 
For emerging leaders to advance their innovative initiatives, leveraging internal and external collaborations, performing value-based evaluation, and navigating pathways to broader implementation. 

Senior Innovation Fellows (SIF) 
For accomplished leaders who are prepared to implement a national scale project or initiative that measurably improves clinical outcomes, cost, and/or Veteran experience. These projects should promote a diverse approach to innovation by leveraging internal and external collaborations across public, private, and non-profit sectors. 

Program Features – Events and Experiences that VHA IE Fellowships connects Fellows to: 

• Education and Empowerment Experiences
• Project Promotion and Expansion
• Improved Innovation Competencies
• Nationally Recognized Mentors and Subject Matter Experts
• Community
  • Focuses on convening stakeholders, navigating different facets of VHA, Executive level mentorship, driving transformation of healthcare through specific projects/initiatives, and more.
  • Peers in the Innovation Ecosystem
• Fellow Development
• Leverages an experiential approach versus strictly a didactic learning experience common to most Fellowship opportunities. 
  Resources and project management support to equip Fellows with the tools needed to take their project/initiative to the next level.

Program Elements – How Fellowships works: 

• Fellows Remain at Their Duty Station
• Protected Time for Fellowships Project
• VHA Innovation Experience (iEX) (October)
• VHA IE Fellowships Kickoff Orientation
• Monthly Fellowships Education Opportunities
• Monthly Office Hours with Fellowships Support Team
• Fellowships Peer Collaboration Opportunities
• Participation in Diffusion of Excellence Diffusion Academy (January) 
   

Time commitment for VHA IE Fellows shall not exceed 20% of their current dedications. This program is a knowledge enrichment and leadership development opportunity and includes resourcing and funding, as agreed upon after candidate selection. This includes salary reimbursement and/or project resource support and will be negotiated between each Fellow, their leadership, and VHA OHIL.  

Passion for VA Mission: We seek individuals deeply committed to improving health care for Veterans, advancing caregiver support, and empowering VA employees. 

Innovative Spirit: Successful applicants demonstrate an entrepreneurial mindset, with a track record of creative and design thinking. 

Collaborative Mindset: The ability to build and leverage relationships, both within and outside VA, is crucial for impactful projects.

Upon completing the program, participants will have developed their projects further on the innovation journey while also enriching their personal and professional growth. The fellowship aims to instill lasting relationships, newfound skills, and the confidence to drive initiatives beyond the fellowship, making a significant impact on Veteran well-being.  

Participation in the Fellowship allows Fellows to gain support and allies with stakeholders beyond their local facility as well as spotlight the support they are receiving from their local and VISN leadership for their projects and professional growth. 

For comprehensive information on our programs, interested applicants should visit our official website, VHA Innovation Ecosystem Fellowships. It provides details on each fellowship track, application processes, and information about past and current fellows.  

Additionally, feel free to contact our team with application questions when you need additional information. To provide fair and equitable consideration to all applicants, we are unable to offer individual application support due to the volume of applications. Many of our current and past fellows are happy to engage with applicants. We encourage individuals to review their information on the Fellowships site and reach out directly to fellows who might match your project or goals. 

Fellowships accepts Applicants once a year for the upcoming fiscal year and is active between October 1 and September 30 of the following year. Please visit the VHA Innovation Ecosystem Fellowships Application page for more information.