The Maternal Child Health-Leadership Education, Advocacy, and Research Network (MCH-LEARN) program is a Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) funded program that facilitates local undergraduate freshman, sophomore, and rising junior scholars’ entry into graduate school in public health and related fields such as pediatrics, nutrition, social work, nursing, psychology, health education, pediatric occupational/physical therapy and speech-language pathology. The program is designed for underrepresented, diverse populations in the MCH field who desire to learn more about child and adolescent health through research, clinical, and advocacy experiences. MCH-LEARN scholars participate in a paid summer public health research internship with continued monthly experiences throughout their academic year focusing on comprehensive educational and applied public health learning experience.

The ultimate goal of MCH-LEARN is to promote maternal and child and public health careers through supporting preparation for graduate studies focused on family, child, and adolescent health. MCH-LEARN provides public health research and community engagement experiences, mentorship, and professional development, especially in developmental disabilities, neurodevelopmental disabilities, maternal and child health, mental health, and the promotion of health equity strategies to eliminate health disparities.

MCH-LEARN leverages a leadership learning network formed by

  1. Kennedy Krieger Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) Program,
  2. Historically Black Colleges and Universities,
  3. Johns Hopkins University Schools of Medicine, School of Nursing, and Bloomberg School of Public Health,
  4. Parents’ Place of Maryland,
  5. And the Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities.

Scholars from underrepresented populations interested in the field of public health are strongly encouraged to apply!

View Application Guidelines

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Frequently Asked Questions

Eligibility Requirements

  • Be currently enrolled as an undergraduate freshman, sophomore or rising junior
  • Reside locally in the Baltimore/Washington Metropolitan region during the summer (no housing allowance during the Baltimore summer session)
  • Have at least a 3.0 GPA, or better, on a 4.0 scale
  • Be a US citizen, US National, permanent resident
  • Be able to commit to participate in program activities for the length of the MCH-LEARN Program

Timeline

  • In Person (Baltimore)
    • Orientation: Monday, May 26, 2025 - Friday, May 30, 2025
    • Summer Fellowship Dates: Monday, June 2, 2025 - Friday, July 25, 2025
  • Remote
    • Post Summer Fellowship Dates: September 2025 - Friday, May 22, 2026

Planned Activities

  • Summer (2025)
    • ALL scholars participate in weekly Research Seminars, Professional Development, and Advocacy and CDC Optimal Opportunities for Prevention to Promote Health.
  • Fall and Spring (2025 – 2026)
    • Monthly virtual meetings starting in September
    • Attend annual Room to Grow: Journey to Cultural and Linguistic Competency conference in September
    • Maryland Developmental Disabilities Day in February
    • Conferences*

* see program benefits

Program Benefits

  • Stipend: $5,400 dispersed during the summer and throughout the academic year participation.
  • Conferences and Presentations: Scholars will present their research or MCH public health topic at the end of the summer at various conferences; Johns Hopkins University CARES Symposium (Career, Academic, and Research Experiences for Students), LEND Program Research Symposium in April, Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Scientists (ABRCMS). Students will be sponsored to present at a national conference.
  • Mentorship: Scholars meet and work with mentors in their respective clinical, community and research fields. In addition, Each MCH-LEARN Scholar will be assigned a mentor coach for weekly meetings during the summer.  Mentor coaches will provide professional and career guidance and assist with summer research project support.
  • Collaboration: Scholars will meet other students with similar career interests and gain opportunities to learn about and discuss public health topics related to the MCH field and social determinants of health.
  • Research: Students work with research mentors on a wide range of public health topics related to the elimination of health disparities and receive training in community-based participatory research. In addition, scholars may participate in Community Engagement and Advocacy or rotate through Clinical Experiences.

Please Note:

The MCH-LEARN application portal is open. The MCH LEARN Program is year-round, but in-person during the summer.

All activities are contingent on the availability of federal funds.

Program dates may be subject to adjustments.

For additional program information, please contact MCH-LEARN@KennedyKrieger.org.