Deadline Date: June 30, 2026
The RockHealth.org Innovation Fellowship, a nine-month programme designed to support visionary digital health founders who leverage lived experience to address the needs of underserved populations.
The focus areas of this fellowship include digital health innovation, leadership development, lived-experience-driven entrepreneurship, health equity, underserved populations, fundraising readiness, market awareness, network building, narrative development, artificial intelligence strategy, health policy, venture growth, peer learning, investor engagement, and reducing barriers to healthcare access.
The RockHealth.org Innovation Fellowship seeks to amplify the work of promising digital health innovators across the United States whose solutions are informed by firsthand experience and strong connections to the communities they serve. The programme is designed to provide leadership support, strategic guidance, and access to influential networks that can help founders advance their ventures and create meaningful health impact.
Over the course of nine months, fellows will participate in high-level programming that connects them with a broad network of leaders across the digital health ecosystem. Through exposure to experienced investors, policymakers, and industry experts, participants will gain valuable insights into fundraising, market dynamics, and organizational growth while navigating the challenges of building early-stage companies.
The fellowship was established in recognition of the fact that digital health innovations have significant potential to transform healthcare delivery and outcomes. However, many underserved communities continue to face unmet health needs, and founders working to address these challenges often encounter barriers to securing resources, funding, and strategic connections. The programme aims to help bridge these gaps by creating opportunities for founders whose work is rooted in lived experience and community engagement.
Participants will benefit from monthly programming sessions covering topics such as narrative development, fundraising strategies, artificial intelligence, health equity, policy considerations, and business growth. Fellows will also have access to dedicated office hours with investors, policymakers, and digital health leaders, providing opportunities for mentorship and strategic guidance.
In addition to expert support, the fellowship offers a peer cohort of founders facing similar challenges and opportunities. Participants will also gain access to Rock Health’s national network and flagship events, including industry gatherings that facilitate relationship building, knowledge sharing, and exposure to leaders across the digital health sector.
The fellowship is intended for founders and chief executive officers who are actively leading their organisations. Eligible applicants should be operating at the Pre-Seed through Series A stage and be based in the United States, although their organisations may have international operations. Applicants are expected to demonstrate that their work is shaped by lived experience and meaningful community ties to the health challenges they seek to address.
Successful candidates will be committed to developing solutions that intentionally improve health outcomes for underserved populations. The programme also seeks collaborative leaders who are eager to learn from their peers, contribute to a supportive community of innovators, and advance efforts to reduce barriers to care through digital health solutions.
For more information, visit RockHealth.org.
