Advance Practice Provider (NP/PA): Neuroscience Fellowship

Advance Practice Provider (NP/PA): Neuroscience Fellowship

The Neurological Institute (NI) at Cleveland Clinic is excited to announce a new one-year Advanced Practice Provider (APP) Fellowship for recently graduated nurse practitioners and physician assistants/associates. The fellowship offers structured postgraduate training in the neurosciences to support the transition to neurological and neurosurgical specialty practice. Through mentored clinical experiences, specialty rotations, and dedicated education, fellows will develop a broad neuroscience knowledge base, strengthen clinical reasoning and judgment, and build the skills and confidence needed to care for patients with complex neurological and neurosurgical conditions.

Application Requirements: To be considered, your application must include all of the following. Incomplete applications will be closed without review.

• Current curriculum vitae
• Personal statement describing your interest in neurology and your career goals
• Three letters of recommendation (at least one from a clinical preceptor or faculty member familiar with your clinical work)
• PA or NP program transcripts

Selection Process and Program Commitment: Selected candidates will be invited to a virtual round-table interview with the program directors, NI leadership, and faculty. Fellows who accept a position agree to complete 52 weeks of training at Cleveland Clinic and affiliated regional hospitals. All program requirements must be met before the certificate of completion is awarded.

Timeline for the Inaugural Cohort (2027)

• Application deadline: December 28, 2026
• Interviews and offers: rolling, as applications are received
• Anticipated start date: April 5, 2027

Because interviews are conducted and offers extended on a rolling basis, early application is strongly encouraged; positions may be filled before the deadline.

Eligibility: All applicants must have:

• Completed, at minimum, a Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant/Associate master's program with degree conferred no later than December 28, 2026
• National board certification:
• Nurse practitioners: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care, or Family Nurse Practitioner certification from a nationally recognized certifying body
• Physician assistants: NCCPA certification (PA-C)
• An active, unrestricted Ohio license (APRN license for NPs; PA license for PAs) obtained before the start date
• Ability to be credentialed by Cleveland Clinic Medical Executive Committee and Board of Governors

All board examinations and certifications must be successfully completed at least 6 weeks before the program start date (by February 22, 2027). Because Ohio licensure and Cleveland Clinic credentialing take several weeks, we encourage applicants to begin the licensure process as soon as they are certified.

Program Structure and Curriculum: The NI APP Fellowship is based at Cleveland Clinic Main Campus in Cleveland, Ohio, home to the Neurological Institute's new state-of-the-art building opening in 2027, with travel to our Ohio regional and satellite facilities as educational opportunities arise. The fellowship is 12 months long; two fellows will be selected for the inaugural cohort beginning April 2027.

The NI APP Fellow will spend approximately 70% of their time in supervised clinical experiences across a broad range of neurological and neurosurgical specialties, including:

• Neurology Foundations: Neuroanatomy, pathophysiology, neuroradiology, and neurological examination
• General Neurology: Including autonomic disorders, headache, TBI/concussion, and neuromuscular medicine
• Cerebrovascular and Neurocritical Care
• Epilepsy
• Movement Disorders and Functional Neurological Disorders
• Neuroimmunology
• Brain Health
• Neurosurgery: Including spine and brain tumor care
• Electives: Opportunities to explore additional specialties or expand training in an area of interest, such as Sleep Medicine or Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

The remaining time is dedicated to educational activities, including weekly didactics, simulation, case-based learning, independent study, and a Capstone Project. Completed during the fourth quarter, the project is tailored to the fellow's interests with faculty mentorship. Examples include a poster presentation, manuscript submission, or a quality improvement project presented within the Neurological Institute.

Compensation: Fellows are hired into full-time, salaried, fixed-term positions for the 52-week program and are eligible for applicable full-time benefits as described in Cleveland Clinic's Total Rewards materials. Salary is paid semi-monthly. Fellowship compensation is set at a training rate that is lower than compensation for standard APP positions, reflecting the program's structured educational and mentorship components.

After the Fellowship: Upon successful completion of the fellowship, graduates are encouraged to apply for open APP positions within the Neurological Institute or across the Cleveland Clinic enterprise. The fellowship is a time-limited appointment; employment ends at the conclusion of the program for fellows who do not secure another Cleveland Clinic position. Post-fellowship employment is not guaranteed.

Why Choose the NI APP Fellowship: Post-graduate fellowship training is increasingly recognized as a valuable pathway for NPs and PAs seeking a rewarding career in neurology. The Cleveland Clinic Neurological Institute APP Fellowship seeks driven, passionate NPs and PAs and provides an innovative opportunity to train in an enriching, supportive environment, learning from world leaders in medicine. Cleveland Clinic maintains a world-renowned reputation as a forerunner in patient care, leadership, innovation, and education. Fellows benefit from strong mentorship, robust clinical volume, and a culture that values education, and patient-centered care. This is an ideal setting for trainees seeking advanced clinical training while actively contributing to a forward-thinking academic community.