Background and Guidance

Introduction to Sanctuary for Health Justice

US-based scholars seeking to advance health justice are under attack. From late 2024 until the present day, these scholars have been facing existential challenges. The Sanctuary for Health Justice (SHJ), based at the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) in Brighton, UK, will provide a safe space for US-based health equity scholars who are faced with significant threats to their work. It will offer participants the opportunity to build new skills, expand their networks and strengthen solidarities across IDS' UK and international networks of health equity research.

The program will run a three-month and six-month cohort per year (seven fellows in total) that will enable a depth of peer-to-peer learning and exchange with IDS staff and students and across our diverse range of collaborations and partnerships. The aim of the SHJ is to empower participants to develop actionable strategies for health equity and to successfully develop independent programs of work, supported and strengthened by their engagement with IDS.

We are delighted to launch Phase 1 of the SHJ program and invite applications for residency periods beginning in February and May 2026. The SHJ is made possible with funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Global Fund.

Please note that the SHJ fellowship will be held in person at the Institute of Development Studies in Brighton, UK.

The deadline for submissions has been extended. We are now accepting applications up until 30th November midnight GMT. This is to further encourage a cohort of SHJ fellows that reflects health equity work from a range of geographic locations in the US, and from a diversity of disciplinary perspectives. Applicants will be informed of the result of their applications by email, on or before 22 December 2025.

Dates and duration of fellowship: 16 February - 10 July 2026, or alternatively, 11 May - 10 July 2026. You will be asked to state your preference in the application form for one of these two residency options.

The Sanctuary for Health Justice is committed to embedding and supporting equality, diversity and inclusion in our work and in all our activities. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, beliefs, identities, orientations and abilities.
Fellowship offer

Successful applicants will be offered the following:
individual travel costs and visa application fees to enable travel to Brighton, UK;
IDS-organised accommodation;
a per diem of £40/day;
desk space;
wifi;
access to IDS facilities and meeting rooms;
access to staff and student webinars and seminars;
access to the University of Sussex main library and the BLDS legacy collection;
support to develop an individualised learning plan;
facilitated workshops organised to support the programme of work
Please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions document for more information on the detail of the fellowship and application process
Guidance: throughout the application, please follow the instructions carefully and keep to the word limits on each response, where indicated.

Question Title

* 1. Do you consent to our use of your personal details as described in our privacy policy? Your details will be stored in password protected folders and only accessed by the Sanctuary for Health Justice convenors in order to process your application. The data will be deleted 12 months after the closing date of your application. Please read the Terms and Conditions. You must click Yes in order to complete the application form.

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