Quotation Mark

“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” —Albert Schweitzer

What is the Albert Schweitzer Fellowship?

The Albert Schweitzer Fellowship® is more than a fellowship—it’s a hands-on, immersive opportunity to make a lasting impact in underserved communities while becoming the kind of leader our world needs. 

This 15-month interdisciplinary program is designed for graduate and professional students in health-related fields who want to create real, community-driven change. With the guidance of dedicated mentors and community partners, Fellows design and implement a health-focused service project that addresses a pressing need right here in Alabama.

If you’re ready to step beyond the classroom and into the community, to grow as a leader while making a meaningful impact—this Fellowship is for you.

Schweitzer Fellows focus on health as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO): a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Rooted in this holistic understanding of health, Schweitzer projects address not only clinical health issues, but also the social determinants of health—defined by the WHO as the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age, and which are mostly responsible for health inequities.

We welcome applications from:

  • Graduate and professional students enrolled at Alabama-based universities.
  • Students in health-related fields and other disciplines (public health, social work, education, counseling, nutrition sciences, etc.) with an interest in health equity.
  • Individuals able to commit to the full 15-month Fellowship (February 2026-April 2027)

As a Fellow, you’ll partner with a local community agency to create and carry out a project that delivers direct service to an underserved population—reducing health disparities and improving quality of life. On your application, you’ll list an Academic Mentor, propose two possible project areas, and suggest one or more potential community partners. During your first month, we’ll help you refine your focus, connect with community leaders, and match your passions and skills to a meaningful need.

Your project will:

  • Address a community-defined need aligned with national and local health priorities (e.g., Healthy People 2030).
  • Create lasting value for the community and partnering agency.
  • Provide hands-on experience and professional mentorship.

You may adapt an evidence-based strategy or develop a completely original project..
Note: Research, fundraising, and policy-only projects are not eligible for the Schweitzer Fellowship.

Get a head start and make your application shine. Take time to explore what the Fellowship offers, learn from those who’ve gone before you, and connect with staff to make sure your ideas are ready to take shape.

  • Attend an information session to learn about the Fellowship’s expectations and opportunities.
  • Review past projects to get inspired and see the kinds of impact Fellows create.
  • Speak with program staff to discuss your project ideas and ensure they align with program goals.
  • Online application
  • Resume or CV, limited to two pages, listing applicable education, service, and leadership experiences
  • Contact information for two references, including a faculty member who will serve as your faculty mentor 
  • A background check will also be conducted once a Fellowship offer has been accepted.

Orientation Retreat: Mandatory attendance at the in-person Welcome Workshop (Feb. 21, 2026) and in-person Orientation (April 11–12, 2026). Applicants unable to attend should not apply.

Service Project: Partner with a local community agency to design and implement a 200-hour* service project (separate from any course requirements). At least half the hours must be direct service; the rest may include planning, research, and admin work. Receive guidance from a site mentor, academic mentor, and the Executive Director. *Paired projects are allowed with adjusted hours and stipends.

Reports & Evaluation: Submit monthly reports/reflections, a final project presentation, and remarks for the Celebration of Service. Complete pre- and post-program surveys; site mentors complete a final evaluation.

Bi-Monthly Training and Coaching Sessions: Attend in-person leadership workshops, skill-building sessions, and networking opportunities. Fellows attending less than 80% of meetings will receive a small stipend deduction. 

Recruitment: In the fall, assist with info sessions and presentations to help recruit future Fellows. Also, serve as “hosts” for virtual interview sessions.

Stipend: Receive up to $2,500 (distributed in four installments) plus up to $100 for project expenses.

Celebration of Service: New Fellows are introduced at the Celebration of Service. This will be held on April 11, 2026, at the beginning of Orientation. In April of the following year, the 2026-27 Fellows will be similarly honored and will speak about their projects’ goals and accomplishments

Get the details you need to decide if the Fellowship is right for you—what it involves, how to prepare, and how Fellows make an impact.

Join our Virtual Office Hours for a one-on-one (or small group) conversation with program staff. It’s your chance to talk through the application process, explore potential project ideas, and get guidance to set you up for success.

  • September 3 | 12-1 p.m. CST
  • September 19 | 10-11 a.m. CST
  • September 29 | 6-7 p.m. CST
  • October 14 | 7-8 p.m. CST
  • October 30 | 6-7 p.m. CST
  • November 12 | 12-1 p.m. CST
  • December 3 | 5-6 p.m. CST
  • December 11 | 2-3 p.m. CST
  • January 9 | 12-1 p.m. CST
  • January 13 | 7-8 p.m. CST

* Link for virtual office hours: https://zoom.us/j/7290198342

The 2026-27 Application is now available! Due January 26, 2026, by 11:59pm.

Apply Now

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, the Albert Schweitzer Fellowship is an interdisciplinary program and we are looking for applicants from any field in which the Fellow can create a health-related community project. Diversity of thought and perspectives will enrich the experience for each class of Fellows. Other fields of study have included dentistry, law, divinity, psychology, pharmacy, engineering, business, the arts, and more. We think expansively about health and realize that there are many factors that contribute to the health and well-being of our communities.

Schweitzer Fellows focus on health as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO): a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Rooted in this holistic understanding of health, Schweitzer projects address not only clinical health issues, but also the social determinants of health—defined by the WHO as the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age, and which are mostly responsible for health inequities. The options are broad so that you can follow your interests and creativity to lead you to a project that will have impact. Plus – with our revised application process—you don’t have to select a project before applying! Come and learn with the other Fellows, then decide where to use your time and talents.

Take a look at Fellows & Projects page on our website. This will give you an idea of what Alabama Fellows have done in the past. On the national website www.schweitzerfellowship.org you can click any of the cities listed to see what Fellows in other parts of the country have done.

“Underserved” is any group that is at risk for or experiencing compromised health or physical, social, or emotional well-being. Any group of people that you can conceive of who has difficulty receiving quality health care and other needs that impact their health and well-being could be considered underserved.

“Direct service” means working directly with any group that is at risk for or experiencing compromised health or physical, social, or emotional well-being and interacting in some way with individuals in that group. Examples include providing health information workshops, leading a fitness class, tutoring, providing screening exams at a health fair, or linking residents to needed services. Research, fundraising and policy-based projects are not considered eligible. Each project entails different amounts of planning, but you should complete a minimum 100 hours of direct service, allowing the rest of the time for project planning and administration.

You can complete your 200 hours of service at any time from February 2025 to April 2026. Fellows will get a jump start by shadowing and volunteering to learn about community needs. Then, once your project is selected, you’ll work with your agency to create a plan (April – May 2025). This provides you with June 2025- March 2026 to complete the remaining hours, leaving April as a time to focus on sustainability. Some Fellows start their hours during the summer, while some don’t start until the fall. How you spread out the hours is also flexible and largely dependent on what your project entails. We do encourage spreading the hours as much as possible to have enough time to overcome any unforeseen roadblocks or delays. Fellows who need some extra time at the end of their Fellowship year can request an extension from the Executive Director.

Yes, two students can apply together using the Partner Project application. Partner projects can share the administrative time, but it is expected that each person will still do a minimum of 100 hours of direct service. The stipends are prorated for those who essentially “share” the 200 hours of service, with Fellows receiving at least half of a stipend each (i.e., $1,250).

Yes, the orientation is a firm requirement. If you already know you cannot make it, please do not apply for the Fellowship.

A hallmark of the Schweitzer Fellows Program is the regular contact with other Fellows from a variety of fields and opportunities for learning from community-based speakers. The monthly meetings reinforce the rapport established at Orientation and provide opportunities for Fellows to receive feedback from their peers concerning their projects. We understand that some absences may be necessary, however. Fellows who attend less than 80% of the training and coaching sessions receive a deduction in the stipend, or in extreme cases dismissal from the program.

The Fellowship experience is an important opportunity for learning, whether someone has already done a lot of community work or very little. Experience is not a requirement for the Fellowship, but in your personal statement we’d like for you to explain how your background and skills have helped prepare you to do community outreach work, and what motivates you to make such a serious commitment. The Program’s mentors and Program staff provide ample support to Fellows so that everyone who is passionate about providing service can do so.

The Fellowship is really meant to be an added component to your educational experience that enables you to develop your abilities as a leader in service. We have been able to work with some Fellows to find ways to align the fellowship with an internship or practicum, however, while still ensuring that the Fellow would be able to go above-and-beyond the curricular requirements, specifically using their initiative to plan, execute and evaluate a program that is either new or expanded for your community partner. Although it may take a lot of time to participate in both the Fellowship and your school internship or practicum, it is feasible so please discuss the particulars with the Program Manager or Executive Director