Applications Open for 2027 Cohort of Golisano Fellowship in Developmental Disability Nursing
September 21, 2026
Lead with purpose. Strengthen your voice. Transform care for people with IDD.
The Golisano Institute for Developmental Disability Nursing at St. John Fisher University is now accepting applications for the next cohort of the Golisano Fellowship in Developmental Disability Nursing, a premier leadership development program preparing nurses to become leaders, advocates, educators, and change agents in intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) care.
Designed for emerging nurse leaders committed to advancing equity and inclusion, the fully remote 12-month Fellowship connects participants from diverse backgrounds through mentorship, collaborative learning, leadership development, and project-based scholarship. Golisano Fellows gain the knowledge, confidence, and skills needed to improve health outcomes and drive meaningful change for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Through mentorship from internationally recognized experts, monthly seminars, peer learning, and a capstone Fellowship Project, participants build expertise in IDD-inclusive care and expand their leadership capacity across practice, education, research, advocacy, policy, and health systems. Since 2021, 63 Fellows from 42 organizations have completed the competitive one-year program. Golisano Fellows represent a range of healthcare sectors, including academic institutions, nursing schools, human services agencies, health systems, and hospitals.
“The Fellowship is more than professional development. It is a transformative leadership experience that helps nurses strengthen their voice, build meaningful connections, and advance equitable care for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” said Dr. Jane Tobias, Fellowship director. “We are excited to welcome a new cohort of nurses committed to improving health outcomes and advancing inclusion.”
The Fellowship has attracted nurses from across the United States and around the world, creating a global community dedicated to advancing equitable care for people with IDD. Fellows collaborate with peers and mentors from diverse disciplines while developing projects that address real-world challenges in IDD health care.
Recent Fellowship projects have addressed priorities such as sleep monitoring in residential settings, inclusive emergency preparedness, and reducing unnecessary emergency department visits for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. These projects reflect the Fellowship’s commitment to practical solutions that improve care and quality of life.
People with intellectual and developmental disabilities continue to experience significant health disparities and barriers to care. The Golisano Fellowship prepares nurse leaders to address these challenges through innovation, advocacy, and inclusive practice.
Applications for the 2027 Fellowship cohort will be accepted from Sept. 15 through Nov. 1, 2026. Prospective applicants are also invited to attend a virtual information session at 7 p.m. ET on Sept. 28, 2026, to learn more about the Fellowship experience, application process, and opportunities for professional growth. The Golisano Fellowship will begin in June 2027.
Applications Open for 2027 Cohort of Golisano Fellowship in Developmental Disability Nursing2026-09-21T15:12:34-04:00Lead with purpose. Strengthen your voice. Transform care for people with IDD.The at St. John Fisher University is now accepting applications for the next cohort of the Golisano Fellowship in Developmental Disability Nursing, a premier leadership development program preparing nurses to become leaders, advocates, educators, and change agents in intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) care.
Designed for emerging nurse leaders committed to advancing equity and inclusion, the fully remote 12-month Fellowship connects participants from diverse backgrounds through mentorship, collaborative learning, leadership development, and project-based scholarship. Golisano Fellows gain the knowledge, confidence, and skills needed to improve health outcomes and drive meaningful change for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Through mentorship from internationally recognized experts, monthly seminars, peer learning, and a capstone Fellowship Project, participants build expertise in IDD-inclusive care and expand their leadership capacity across practice, education, research, advocacy, policy, and health systems. Since 2021, 63 Fellows from 42 organizations have completed the competitive one-year program. Golisano Fellows represent a range of healthcare sectors, including academic institutions, nursing schools, human services agencies, health systems, and hospitals.
“The Fellowship is more than professional development. It is a transformative leadership experience that helps nurses strengthen their voice, build meaningful connections, and advance equitable care for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” said Dr. Jane Tobias, Fellowship director. “We are excited to welcome a new cohort of nurses committed to improving health outcomes and advancing inclusion.”
The has attracted nurses from across the United States and around the world, creating a global community dedicated to advancing equitable care for people with IDD. Fellows collaborate with peers and mentors from diverse disciplines while developing projects that address real-world challenges in IDD health care.
Recent Fellowship projects have addressed priorities such as sleep monitoring in residential settings, inclusive emergency preparedness, and reducing unnecessary emergency department visits for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. These projects reflect the Fellowship’s commitment to practical solutions that improve care and quality of life.
People with intellectual and developmental disabilities continue to experience significant health disparities and barriers to care. The Golisano Fellowship prepares nurse leaders to address these challenges through innovation, advocacy, and inclusive practice.
Applications for the 2027 Fellowship cohort will be accepted from Sept. 15 through Nov. 1, 2026. Prospective applicants are also invited to attend a virtual information session at 7 p.m. ET on Sept. 28, 2026, to learn more about the Fellowship experience, application process, and opportunities for professional growth. The Golisano Fellowship will begin in June 2027.
To learn more, register for the September 28 information session or visit the .
Apply for the Fellowship/media/news-images/fall-2026/Golisano_Institute_960.jpg
