Gap Year Options: Fellowships & Residencies in Health Sciences

Planning to take a gap year before medical, dental, public health, or graduate school? These competitive fellowships and service-based residencies offer valuable experience, mentorship, and career exploration in healthcare, public health, and community-based service.

Whether you’re seeking clinical exposure, leadership development, global health experience, or work with underserved populations, these programs will help you grow personally and professionally before your next step.

• Global Health Corps
  A year-long, paid fellowship placing early-career professionals with health organizations in the U.S. and Africa. Fellows work on global health equity projects in areas such as systems design, operations, and communications.
• John R. Lewis Undergraduate Public Health Scholars Program
  Summer program for undergraduates and recent grads interested in health equity, minority health, and public health leadership. Sponsored by the CDC.
• Project Horseshoe Farm
  A full-time, paid community health fellowship for students interested in medicine, public health, education, or nonprofit leadership. Based in Alabama and Colorado.
• ORISE Summer Fellowship at the CDC
  Competitive fellowships in laboratory and environmental health sciences at the CDC. Ideal for students interested in public health research and federal health policy.
• MedServe
  A two-year fellowship that places future medical students in rural and underserved primary care clinics across North Carolina. Fellows gain hands-on experience in clinical and community health.
• APHA Internships & Fellowships
  Internships and fellowships through the American Public Health Association in areas such as advocacy, health education, and policy—open to undergraduates and recent graduates.
• Church Health Center Internships
  Direct service internships in medical, dental, optometry, nutrition, and wellness. Offers holistic, hands-on experience in community-based care.
• HEAL Internships – Roatan Volunteer Pediatric Clinic (RVPC)
  International clinical internships for pre-med and med students. Work alongside physicians in Honduras, focusing on pediatric care and health education.
• Health Career Connection (HCC)
  Offers paid summer internships for undergraduates interested in healthcare careers, including placements in public health, health administration, and clinical settings.
• City Year – Health-Focused Service Pathway
  A year of full-time service in schools across the U.S., often paired with access to health education and public health partnerships. City Year alumni often go on to careers in medicine, nursing, and public health.
• AmeriCorps Public Health Programs
  Engage in community health, wellness education, and healthcare access projects. Programs vary by region, with many offering an education award for future studies.
• Research Fellows Program – NIH (IRTA/CRTA)
  The Postbac IRTA program offers recent grads a 1–2 year research experience at the National Institutes of Health. Strong fit for those pursuing MD or MD/PhD programs.
• Mount Sinai Biomedical Research Program (PREP/PEER)
  One-year, paid biomedical research and mentorship opportunity for students from underrepresented backgrounds in medicine or science.
• New Sector RISE Fellowship
  One-year service-based fellowship in social impact organizations—includes placements in public health, healthcare access, and health equity nonprofits. Great for students exploring healthcare systems and policy.
• Avodah Jewish Service Corps (Health Track)
  Year-long program combining anti-poverty work and social justice, with health placements in clinics and community health organizations. Open to Jewish students and recent grads.
• Casa de Salud – Health Fellow Program
  Full-time, paid fellowship in a clinic serving immigrant and refugee communities in St. Louis. Combines clinical shadowing, administrative tasks, and health education.
• Jesuit Volunteer Corps (JVC)
  One- to two-year service opportunities, with placements in community health clinics, public health nonprofits, and social services across the U.S. and abroad.