2026 Howard Leventhal Scholarship Accepting Applications

Howard Leventhal Scholarship for Trainees

Overview

As a member of the National Academy of Sciences and a Rutgers Board of Governors Professor in Health Psychology, Dr. Howard Leventhal’s forward-thinking research furthered health psychology research on the perception and management of chronic illnesses. His NIH Mind-Body Center, which had a long history of supporting student development, examined how cognitive-affective factors affect communication among patients, practitioners and families. At Rutgers Institute for Health (IFH), he spearheaded efforts to develop studies on behavioral health in minority populations.

This scholarship will provide doctoral students with the funds necessary to jump-start their investigative careers. Two doctoral candidates (PhD or equivalent) annually will be awarded a stipend of $4,000 for one fiscal year to support promising research.

Qualifications

Candidates enrolled in a Rutgers doctoral program pursuing independent research that furthers Dr. Leventhal’s mission and IFH’s historical contributions to interdisciplinary population health research will be considered. Candidates focused on areas often underfunded are preferred.

Application Process

A completed application should include:

• 1-2 letters of recommendation from PhD advisors and/or school leadership
• CV
• 2-3 page research plan for a specific research project

A committee of faculty from across departments and levels at the Institute for Health will select two finalists from applications.

Applications due via email to nswenarton@ifh.rutgers.edu by Sunday, February 22, 2026

Past Scholars:

2025

Nora Sullivan, Rutgers School of Social Work – focusing her research on faith-based organizations offering permanent housing to people experiencing homelessness, also known as a Housing First approach.

Yingning Xie (Ningning), Rutgers Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy – focusing his research on car-less immigrants and their access to high-quality health-related destinations, as well as the impact of affordable mobility tools such as e-bikes.

2024

Naomi Cruz, Rutgers School of Public Health – focused her research on understanding the risk and protective factors for adolescent suicidality and eliminating barriers to mental health treatment. Her goal was to shed light on the period immediately following suicide attempts because of the opportunity it can provide for life-changing interventions.

Alexis Richeson, Rutgers University-Camden – focused her research on the relationship between gender stereotyped and religious sexual messaging and feelings towards oneself and one’s relationships. Her goal was to analyze how types of sex education relate to mental and behavioral health outcomes.

2023

Molly Nowels, Rutgers School of Public Health – focused her research on health outcomes related to palliative care. Her goal was to identify treatments and interventions that can delivered by palliative care specialists and primary care physicians to support the behavioral health of patients experiencing serious illnesses.

James Terhune, Rutgers Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology – focused his research on loneliness and social determinants of mental health. His goal wass to learn more about the relationship between loneliness and depression and how loneliness may impact the course of depression.