Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC)
Advanced Fellowship in Geriatrics
We empower the next generation of leaders in geriatric research, education, and clinical innovation so that older Veterans can live the lives that matter to them.
The Advanced Fellowship in Geriatrics (AFiG) began in 2001 to develop the scholarly and leadership skills of health professions trainees to meet the burgeoning need for geriatric care in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).
The AFiG is funded by VA’s Office of Academic Affiliations (OAA), and sites are housed within VA Geriatric, Research, Education, and Clinical Centers (GRECC), which were established by Congress in 1975 with a tripartite mission to:
- Build new knowledge through research.
- Provide training and education in geriatric health care.
- Improve health care for older Veterans through the development and evaluation of innovative clinical models of care.
As of 2024, the AFiG is available at each of the 20 GRECC sites across the nation. The fellowship sites are connected by a National Coordinating Center.
What does AFiG look like?
Every fellow has programming and support to grow within three domains: leadership, concentrated skills, and professional development (shown below).
75% Time: Scholarly Work
- Research, quality improvement/clinical innovation, and/or health professions education projects focused on older Veterans and aligning with interests of the fellow and mentor.
- Education that includes individual and group mentorship, didactic instruction, small group instruction, and synchronous nationwide seminars and workshops, taught by leaders and experts in VA.
25% Time: Clinical Care
This may be direct clinical care or work that supports clinical operations or projects.
Benefits:
- Two years of paid experience with annual leave and sick leave, and
- Health care benefits available.
At what VA sites can someone be an Advanced Fellow?
As of 2024, all GRECCs can accept fellows for AFiG. To learn more about the individual sites, their current program directors, and contact information, please click here or on the map:
Can I be an Advanced Fellow in Geriatrics?
United States citizenship is a prerequisite for eligibility.
Many professions are eligible for the AFiG:
- Applicants in a clinical profession must have at minimum the degree required for full licensure in that profession (e.g., PharmD for pharmacists, MSW for social workers, MSN for registered or advanced practice nurses).
- Applicants who are not clinicians must have a PhD or other appropriate doctoral degree to qualify as scientist fellows (e.g., ScD, DrPH, etc.).
NOTE: only post-residency physicians are eligible for AFiG.
How do I apply?
- Applications are managed locally at each site. The process generally starts with a conversation with the host site about applicant career goals, project interests, and how those align with local opportunities.
- Applicants are then informed by the local site about specific documents needed to apply (e.g., curriculum vitae, letters of recommendation).
- If selected by program leadership, the applicant submits documents for verification through the facility’s Education and Human Resources Departments. Passing these standard screening procedures is required to be appointed as a fellow.
- The site’s Program Director communicates with the Office of Academic Affiliations to arrange approval of the appointment.
What is the National Coordinating Center?
The AFiG National Coordinating Center is led jointly by the New England GRECC and Pittsburgh Technology Enhancing Cognition and Health GRECC (i.e., TECH-GRECC). It aims to:
- Recruit talent by supporting and empowering fellowship sites to align their training with the mission of the AFiG and the strengths of their facility.
- Prepare learners by coordinating cross-site curricula, project-based experiences, reflective observation, and mentorships.
- Cultivate a community of learners aligning with site expertise and VA’s mission.
- Retain leaders by developing a national recruitment initiative to increase the number and diversity of applicants and facilitate hiring fellowship graduates into VA positions.
Inquiries for the Advanced Fellowship in Geriatrics National Coordinating Center team should be emailed to VHAAFIG@va.gov.
