Health Planning Scholar Program
We specialize in engineering, architecture, environmental and construction services. While we are most well-known for adding beauty and structure to communities through high performance buildings and smart infrastructure, we provide much more than that. We create an unshakable foundation for progress because our multidisciplinary teams also include scientists, economists, builders, analysts, and artists. Our employees, working in more than 200 locations around the world, push open the doors to what’s possible each and every day.
About the Health Planning Scholar Program
HDR’s Health Planning Scholar Program is a one-year immersive program for recent graduates who are passionate about bettering the health and wellness of the people they design for. This program is open to candidates who are finishing graduate studies in architecture and health-related programs. The scholars will work with HDR's expert planners and designers on projects around the globe with travel opportunities. The position’s location will be matched to the interest of the candidate with an HDR office that offers the strongest mentoring opportunity. As the leader in healthcare architecture, HDR is committed to fostering the growth and development of the next generation of health architects and planners. The selected candidates will be granted full-time employment, attendance to a healthcare architecture conference, and the opportunity to continue their career at HDR after the program’s term.
Learn From the Best
"We are excited to work with the best and brightest new graduates who have a passion for healthcare design and are future leaders of the industry."
James Atkinson, Vice President and Director of Health Planning
Health Planning Scholar Program Details
- Minimum 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 GPA scale)
- Applicants must be graduating or a recent graduate of an architecture masters program (or 5-year professional degree) with a concentration or focus in healthcare architecture
- Scholar Program is subject to health restrictions and workload
- Résumé
- Portfolio
- Essay/Question:
- Required
- Please explain why you are interested in a career in healthcare architecture and how this opportunity will nurture and solidify your career in this profession.
- Explain the importance of healthcare architecture in today’s society.
- Applicant Chooses Two
- What do you think the architecture industry will be like in the next 10 years?
- Pick an experience from your own life and explain how it has influenced your development.
- Describe how you have demonstrated leadership ability both in and out of school.
- Why are you a good candidate to be a part of the Scholar Program?
- Required
- Video Response Questions:
- State your name, school, major and intended graduation date
- What inspired you to choose to focus on healthcare architecture?
- What fascinates you most about the future possibilities in healthcare architecture
Learn more about our experience, services, insights and related projects.
Health Planning Scholar Class of 2025
“I’ve been able to continue exploring my personal areas of interest within healthcare through the Scholar Program. It has been a catalyst for my interest in healthcare design research. The program strengthens project management skills, encourages initiative and provides systems to translate research into meaningful project impact. At HDR, where research drives our work, I look forward to contributing to a culture of innovation, helping us stay ahead of the curve and developing tools that push our design practice forward.”
“At HDR, I’m deepening my foundation in health planning while exploring the evolving intersections of design, empathy and innovation. This program empowers me to pursue my passion for creating environments that elevate dignity, healing and belonging. With access to leading strategies and a cross-collaborative planning team, I’m learning to translate visionary ideas into real, impactful solutions. I’m excited to explore how emerging technologies, data-informed planning and thoughtful design can reshape the future of care.”
