Duke-Margolis Scholars Program in Health Policy and Management

Program Overview

The Margolis Scholars program is a prestigious program for Duke University students who demonstrate a commitment to a career in health policy and management, as well as the potential to be a leader in improving health, health equity, and health care. The program is named in honor of Robert Margolis, M.D., the founder of Duke-Margolis and a pioneer of innovative integrated care delivery models.

Scholar Program

The Margolis Scholars program is:

• Interdisciplinary. Margolis Scholars engage with students and faculty from across the university to understand a broad range of complex health policy challenges.
• Customized.  Scholars select program activities and resources to match their individual experiences, career interests and professional goals using the Duke-Margolis Health Policy Core Competency Framework as a guide.
• Connected. Students engage with our Faculty Director, Margolis Core Faculty, Senior Research Staff, Alumni and each other throughout their program tenure.
• Leadership-Oriented.  Margolis Scholars serve as health policy ambassadors for the broader Duke health policy community.

Professional Development and Supplemental Experience Funding

Scholars currently receive a stipend of $2,500 per year to be used for educational, research, and professional development activities related to health policy. Scholars may request additional funding of up to $3,500 per year to be used for unpaid or underpaid internships, research assistantships, and teaching assistantships.

To learn more, download the Scholars Program Handbook.

Eligibility

Who is Eligible to Apply?

• Undergraduate: 
  • Current sophomores at the time of application who will be juniors when they start the program.
• Graduate/Professional: 
  • Accepted incoming graduate students
  • Current graduate students who can engage with the program for 2 years
  • Medical school students in their second year (for program engagement in their third year)

Application Process

Students complete an online application and upload a current resume or CV, most recent transcripts, and contact information for an academic or professional reference. Finalists will be interviewed before final decisions are made.

Application Deadlines

Undergraduate Students: The application typically opens at the end of the fall semester (December) and closes near the beginning of spring semester (January). For 2026-2027, the application closed on January 12th.

Medical Students: Spring semester (See SOM Third Year website for application process)

All Other Graduate/Professional Students: Application typically opens in mid-April