AI Public Health Capstone
Get involved in reimagining what patients’ experiences in American health systems can look like when community-driven and data-informed health care workers leverage the latest technology to ensure every community receives the quality care they deserve.
Upcoming deadlines:
- Applicants must apply for the Fall 2026 cohort by July 15, 2026.
- Sponsors are welcome on a rolling basis, with those interested in supporting the Fall 2026 cohort confirming their interest by July 31, 2026
Where Public Health Students Learn to Build AI Solutions That Matter
The NHIT INSPIRED™ AI Academy in partnership with ASPPH is a hands-on, experiential learning program for undergraduate and graduate students from ASPPH member and Undergraduate Network institutions. Students work in teams on real-world public health challenges and develop AI-driven solutions designed to improve outcomes in underserved communities. They also gain exposure to emerging technologies, mentorship from industry leaders, and direct collaboration with national organizations, academic institutions, and community stakeholders.
Program at a Glance
Program Length
10 Weeks
Location
This is a remote experience with hybrid option for D.C.-area students to work in NHIT’s offices in Arlington, VA.
Terms
Fall, Spring, and Summer
Format
Hybrid experiential learning sessions led by academic and industry experts and capstone-based collaboration
Partnering with Rural and Underserved Communities
Students’ capstone projects address public health challenges that disproportionately affect underserved and rural communities including, though not limited to topics like:
- Improving public health surveillance and crisis response
- Public health outcomes and social determinants of health
- Chronic disease prevention and management
- Food insecurity and nutrition access
- Maternal and child health
- Rural and underserved populations
- Digital health access and navigation
- Public health workforce innovation
- Responsible and ethical AI implementation
Responsibly Reshaping How Public Health Works with AI
Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing how public health professionals collect data, identify trends, design interventions, and support communities. Students in the Academy explore both the opportunities and the responsibilities that come with the latest technological advancements.
Opportunities students will explore:
- Improving public health surveillance and crisis response
- Advancing personalized, data-driven education
- Supporting equitable allocation of healthcare resources
- Strengthening community-centered public health strategies
- Addressing health disparities through technology innovation
Challenges students will examine:
- Data privacy and security
- Algorithmic bias and equity
- Ethical AI implementation
- Trust and responsible innovation in public health
Why We Built This – Together
In March 2026, ASPPH and NHIT™ announced a strategic partnership to expand opportunities for students and strengthen the future public health workforce through artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. The AI Academy is the first program to come out of that partnership.
Laura Magaña, PhD, MS
President & CEO
“This partnership reflects ASPPH’s commitment to preparing the next generation of public health leaders and ensuring that all communities benefit from innovation. By working together, we can expand access to emerging technologies, support students from underserved backgrounds, and advance our mission to improve health and well-being for everyone, everywhere.”
Luis Belén
CEO, NHIT™
“At NHIT™, our mission is to ensure no community is left behind in the digital age. By aligning with ASPPH’s national academic network, we are expanding our reach to train thousands of students across the country and globally — connecting data, technology, and real-world application to prepare the next generation of leaders to drive sustainable health equity.”
For Students
Are you an undergraduate or graduate public health student curious about how you can leverage AI, digital health, and community innovation to help patients lead healthier lives?
The NHIT INSPIRED™ AI Academy in partnership with ASPPH is your launchpad.
What you’ll gain through the program:
- Hands-on capstone experience on a project addressing a real public health challenge that you care about
- Mentorship from public health, AI, and healthcare leaders
- Leadership development and career readiness
- Community impact and professional exposure
- Congressional and policy exposure
- Networking with national organizations and ASPPH member institutions
Who’s eligible:
The program is open to undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at ASPPH member institutions or ASPPH Undergraduate Network institutions. Ideal candidates are passionate about community health, curious about AI and emerging technologies, collaborative, and committed to advancing public health outcomes.
Compensation and academic credit:
- Students seeking academic credit should follow their institution’s procedures for internships, practicum experiences, or capstone approval.
- Students participating outside of academic credit pathways may be eligible for stipends or compensation.
How to Apply
Submit the following through the application portal:
- Resume
- Brief cover letter
- Completed application form
| Cohort | Application Deadline |
|---|---|
| Fall 2026 (Starts in August 2026) | July 15, 2026 |
| Spring 2027 | Coming Soon |
| Summer 2027 | Coming Soon |
For Sponsors
Sponsoring the AI Academy connects your organization with the next generation of public health professionals trained to deploy AI responsibly, ethically, and at scale — and positions your brand at the intersection of public health, healthcare, technology, and workforce development.
Your sponsorship will:
- Train 25 graduate and undergraduate public health students from ASPPH member institutions to apply AI to real-world challenges in underserved communities.
- Position your brand at the forefront of AI-integrated public health practice, with year-round visibility across ASPPH’s network of member institutions and public health professionals.
- Build your AI and public health talent pool through direct engagement with diverse, mission-driven students prepared to lead in the age of agentic AI.
- Advance public health outcomes and workforce development by supporting students addressing public health challenges in underserved and rural communities.
- Demonstrate leadership in responsible AI by aligning your brand with ASPPH’s AI Task Force recommendations and NHIT’s nationally recognized INSPIRED model.
Inaugural cohort student application deadline: July 15, 2026 (rolling deadlines for other cohorts).
Inaugural sponsor deadline to support the Fall 2026 cohort: July 31, 2026.
Sponsors for future cohorts accepted on a rolling basis.
All sponsorships are administered by ASPPH, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, and may qualify as charitable contributions. Custom packages, multi-year commitments, named scholarships, and co-branded or site-specific capstones are available.
Become a sponsor! Contact us.
Built by Two Organizations Leading the Work
NHIT™ — National Health IT Collaborative for the Underserved
Established in 2008, NHIT™ is a national nonprofit that engages underrepresented populations in the development and use of health information technology to support and sustain health transformation and economic mobility. NHIT’s work is grounded in five pillars: Workforce, Innovation, Policy, Research, and Community.
NHIT INSPIRED™ is the organization’s nationally recognized workforce development framework designed for dual-enrolled high school students, undergraduates, graduate students, and professionals exploring how AI can transform healthcare and advance public health outcomes. Inaugural NHIT INSPIRED™ participants worked on a team-based project addressing food insecurity and diabetes in underserved communities, were introduced as the inaugural class at the 2025 HIMSS Global Health Conference, and earned an AI certificate affirming their applied skills.
Learn More:
ASPPH — Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health
ASPPH represents 155 accredited schools and programs of public health, including a community of more than 103,000 deans, faculty, staff, and students. ASPPH is the voice of academic public health — training the next generation of public health professionals, convening leaders, generating evidence, and advocating for policies that improve the health and well-being of everyone, everywhere.
The AI Academy builds on ASPPH’s AI for Public Health initiative, which supports the responsible and ethical integration of artificial intelligence across public health education, research, and practice. Related work includes the cross-sector AI Task Force, the IDEA Institute, and ARIE — ASPPH’s AI chatbot for the field.
Related ASPPH Initiatives:
Frequently Asked Questions
Cohorts run in Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. Each cohort is 10 weeks long. July 15, 2026 is students’ deadline to apply to the Fall 2026 cohort that begins in August of 2026. July 30, 2026 is the sponsorship deadline for the Fall 2026 cohort, though sponsors are welcome on a rolling basis to support future cohorts.
This AI Academy is online/remote, with an option to work in a hybrid format from NHIT’s office in Arlington, VA.
Yes. Every capstone applies AI or data science to addressing a real public health challenge.
Students who are not receiving course credit for the program may be eligible for stipends or compensation.
Follow your school’s procedures for internships, practicum experiences, or capstones.
Undergraduate or graduate students enrolled at ASPPH member institutions or ASPPH Undergraduate Network institutions. Check the linked directories on this page to confirm your school’s eligibility.
Meet the Team
Chief Executive Office (CEO)
NHIT™
Chief Information Officer (CIO)
ASPPH
Senior Director of Educational Pathways and Undergraduate Education
ASPPH