FELLOWSHIP APPLY
Applications for the 2025-2026 Fellowship are open!
THE FUTURE OF HEALTH STARTS WITH YOU
Life can be overwhelming and some of our communities are grappling with issues like mental health, drug use and overdoses, and healthcare access.
We understand firsthand how challenging it is to discuss these issues while remaining connected and supportive.
At Radical Health, we use restorative circle practices to have meaningful conversations, build understanding, and share vital information. Through this fellowship Radical Health trains and supports NYC community members to help others navigate healthcare.
Apply for Radical Health's 2025-2026 Fellowship, in partnership with the CUNY Institute for State & Local Governance (ISLG), and help improve the health of your community!
LEt’s Get Started
Here are some resources to help you apply and get started.
Join the virtual info session on Monday, September 22 at 11am ET to:
learn more about the fellowship
hear from past fellows
learn how to strengthen your application
WHAT WE ARE DOING
We know that having conversations about mental health, substance use, and healthcare can be daunting and scary, but we believe that with the right skills and knowledge, anyone can do it.
The fellowship provides community members with the tools they need to approach these conversations in a compassionate and non-judgmental way.
Radical Health uses indigenous circle practice to have conversations that mean something, help us to get to know one another, and build understanding while sharing information. Through our trainings, fellows will learn to implement restorative health practices and support their community in navigating health-related challenges.
Our Restorative Health Circles bring communities together, creating a peer-to-peer discussion where folks can learn from one another and to create relationships that lead to transformative healthcare delivery. These conversations create trust by laying a social and cultural foundation around healthcare.
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At our core, Radical Health makes it easy for people to come together, ask questions, and know what questions to ask to ensure you’re taken care of.
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Radical Health was founded on the belief that a systematic approach to a neighborhood’s problems, especially one that does not consider a community’s cultural and indigenous practices, will never be a full remedy or solution to these issues.
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Utilizing Radical Health’s Restorative Health Circles, we're able to create space for community members to engage in a new kind of dialogue and meaningful change.
FELLOWSHIP HIGHLIGHTS
SessionS
The core of the fellowship are the in-person and online trainings, where we will take a deep dive into restorative health practices. Through this fellowship you will learn to conduct in-person and online virtual circles, gain insights into one of the following core topics: mental health, substance use & harm reduction, healthcare navigation.
Our key trainings will cover the following topics:
Restorative Justice Circle Keeper Certification
5 days in-person intensive training in NYC
Dates vary by cohort (see above)
Learn to facilitate healing-centered dialogue
SEED Acupuncture Training
Needle-free ear seed acupuncture (NADA Protocol) This needle-free, evidence-based approach provides a trauma-informed healing modality particularly effective for substance use recovery, anxiety reduction, and stress management.
3 sessions between March-April 2026
Trauma-informed healing modality
Virtual Circle Facilitation
Multi-week online training
Learn to host virtual healing spaces
On-camera participation required (computer needed)
STIPEND
Fellows who complete all required activities and deliverables receive a $1,500 stipend.
This stipend recognizes your time, travel, childcare, and commitment. This training is normally paid for—we're investing in YOU.
ACTIVITES
Fellowship Kickoff: Tuesday, January 6, 2026 (all cohorts)
Biweekly Learning Meetings: Hybrid (in-person & virtual)
Self-paced courses and assignments
Check-ins and office hours with fellowship staff
In-person social gatherings and community events
DELIVERABLE: Host 4 restorative health circles
2 in-person circle
2 virtual circle
Between March 2 - May 22, 2026
You recruit participants from your community
ELIGIBILITY
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Age: 21 years or older
Location: Must live in NYC
Availability: Able to commit 6 months part-time
Resume: Must have an updated resume
Technology: Access to a computer with camera (for virtual sessions)
Commitment: Able to attend in-person training in NYC
STRUCTURE
TIME COMMITMENT
6 months, part-time (approximately 2-5 hours/week including training, circles, and independent work)
Track OPTIONS
Choose the cohort that aligns with your passion and schedule:
Track 1 | 🧠 Mental Health
In-person training: Jan 12-15, 2026 (10am-4pm EST)
Focus: Mental health conversations, reducing stigma, peer support
Track 2 | 💊 Substance Use & Harm Reduction
In-person training: Feb 9-12, 2026 (10am-4pm EST)
Focus: Naloxone training, harm reduction, nonjudgmental support
Bonus: DOHMH Narcan certification
Track 3 | 🏥 Healthcare Navigation
In-person training: Jan 26-29, 2026 (10am-4pm EST)
Focus: Insurance literacy, finding care, supporting the uninsured
WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?
This Fellowship is for NYC community members who believe in health equity and advocacy. We seek leaders who reflect the community they serve and bring deep knowledge of issues facing their community, such as health care navigation, mental health, and drug use, as they work towards solutions with and for their communities.
We are looking for community advocates and restorative health leaders who are poised and committed to making a meaningful impact in their communities.
Join our info session on Monday, September 22 at 11am ET to learn more about the fellowship and how to strengthen your application.
We will post the recording of the information session for those who are unable to attend.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Applications Received
SUBMIT DURING OPEN APPLICATION PERIOD
Our application process is designed to be inclusive, constructive, and engaging; we offer resources to help you while you build your application.
Applications Reviewed
THOROUGH REVIEW BY EXPERTS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS
Our team of expert reviewers closely reads and scores your application materials before you are notified about your candidacy status.
FINALISTS CHOSEN
PARTICIPATE IN INTERVIEWS
If you’re chosen as a Finalist, you’ll interview with Radical Health team members so we can learn more about you.
FELLOWS NOTIFIED
CELEBRATE AND BEGIN YOUR FELLOW JOURNEY
If you’re selected for a Fellowship, your journey will kick off with onboarding and guidance from us every step of the way.
QUESTIONS?
If you have any questions, reach out to Radical Health at fellowship@radical-health.com.
Make a difference in your community
APPLICATION DETAILS
Everything you need to know about applying for the 2025 NYC Restorative Health Circle Fellowship.
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Local to New York City
21 years of age or older
Proficiency in English
Please note, if you have participated in a Radical Health fellowship before, you are still eligible to participate - feel free to apply!
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We’ll make selections based on demonstrated community advocacy and connections, capacity to lead restorative health circles, and long-terms goals.
There are 30 total available slots for the Fellowship (10 per cohort).
Find the detailed Fellowship Selection Criteria here.
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As part of this fellowship, fellows are required to:
attend all required events
complete all course and assignments
attend all dates of the in-person and virtual trainings
After fellows are trained to host circles, you are required to:
keep (lead host) at least two of your own circles with community members, friends, family, etc.
co-keep (support) two circles led by other fellows
APPLICATION DEADLINES
COHORT 1
Mental Health
Oct 2025-Mar 2026
DEADLINE: XXX
COHORT 2
Substance Use
Nov 2025-Apr 2026
DEADLINE: XXX
COHORT 3
Healthcare Navigation
Dec 2025-May 2026
DEADLINE: XXX