About Digital Health Workforce Initiative

The Digital Health Workforce Initiative (DHWI) is a free, year-long program funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Digital Health Institute, Houston Methodist, Rice Brain Institute, and PATHS-UP. This partnership between Rice University and its digital health collaborators prepares high school students, community college students, and high school teachers to explore careers in biomedical hardware technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare through hands-on learning.

The program features two student tracks, six Saturday sessions during the academic year, mentorship, and a Spring Innovator Showcase judged by industry partners. Participants engage in team-building, networking, prototype development, and real-world digital health challenges.

The program features two tracks:

• Student Track (High School & Community College): Students participate in either a Software or Hardware pathway.
  • Hardware Track: The Enabling AI in Healthcare via Hardware track explores how hardware innovations transform healthcare, particularly through wearable technologies, medical devices, and sensors used to monitor, diagnose, and treat patients. Participants learn about the underlying principles of these technologies and gain hands-on experience with tools that drive advancements in digital health.
  • Software Track: The Enabling AI in Healthcare via Software track explores how AI can help detect disease through early and accurate predictions. Students receive hands-on training with PyTorch and other tools used in machine learning and AI.
• Teacher Track: High school educators in mathematics, physics, computer science, and career and technical education (CTE) participate in a condensed version of both student tracks. Teachers also engage in experiential learning, collaborate with digital health professionals, and develop lessons that incorporate emerging technologies into classroom practice.

2027 DHWI

Applications open November 9, 2026.

High school students, community college students, and teachers: Applications close February 1, 2027. Applicants will be notified no later than March 31, 2027.

*This program is contingent upon funding.

^{*Program times, dates, locations, and compensation are subject to change before the first day of the program.
**Must be a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident to apply.}

High School Educators in Math, Physics, CS, or CTE

Program Overview
The Digital Health Workforce Initiative (DHWI), funded by NSF, the Digital Health Institute, Houston Methodist, Rice Brain Institute, and PATHS-UP, supports high school teachers in mathematics, physics, computer science, and career and technical education in integrating emerging digital health technologies into classroom practice.

Ten educators will participate in a summer program focused on digital health hardware and software, followed by continued engagement during the academic year. Teachers will participate in hands-on training, team-building, networking through the Rice-Methodist Digital Health Institute, and a tour of Houston Methodist to meet digital health leaders. During the academic year, teachers will design and publish lessons incorporating experiential learning and digital health applications.

Benefits
- Hands-on experience with digital health hardware and software
- Understanding of circuits, digital design, AI tools, and their applications in the biomedical enterprise
- Opportunities to strengthen experiential learning strategies for classroom instruction
- Collaboration with university researchers and healthcare professionals
- Participation in a Spring Innovator Showcase
- Professional development hours upon completion of program requirements
- Stipend up to $5,300

Eligibility & Application
- Open to high school teachers in mathematics, physics, computer science, and career and technical education (CTE)
- Applicants must be U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents
- A principal letter of recommendation and PAL are required

Applications open November 9, 2026.
Applications close February 1, 2027. Applicants will be notified no later than March 31, 2027.

Summer Program Dates:
June 7–17, 2027 | 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

Summer Learning Experiences
- Experiential learning in digital health hardware and software
- Collaboration with research and healthcare partners
- Guided curriculum development and adaptation
- Networking with digital health professionals

Academic-Year Engagement
- Six Saturday sessions during the academic year
- Participation in the Spring Innovator Showcase
- Design and publication of lessons incorporating experiential learning and digital health applications

Community College & High-School Students

Program Overview
The Digital Health Workforce Initiative (DHWI) offers paid summer opportunities for high school students and community college students to explore biomedical hardware technologies and AI in healthcare through hands-on learning. The 2027 student cohort includes 15 current ninth- and tenth-grade high school students during the 2026–2027 school year (rising tenth- and eleventh-graders) and 15 community college students.

Participants choose either the Software or Hardware track, gaining experience with digital health technologies and real-world healthcare challenges. Students learn alongside university and industry mentors and participate in academic-year enrichment, collaboration, and prototype development.

Benefits
- Hands-on experience with digital health software and hardware systems
- Skill-building in AI, coding, circuits, sensors, and digital design
- Collaboration with university researchers and healthcare professionals
- Team-based prototype development addressing real-world digital health needs
- A tour of Houston Methodist and opportunities to meet digital health leaders
- Participation in a Spring Innovator Showcase judged by industry partners
- Stipend up to $1,800 for high school students
- Stipend up to $3,000 for community college students

Eligibility & Application
- High school: Current ninth- and tenth-grade students during the 2026–2027 school year (rising tenth- and eleventh-graders)
- Community college: Community college students
- Applicants must be U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents

Applications open November 9, 2026.
Applications close February 1, 2027. Applicants will be notified no later than March 31, 2027.

Application Materials
High School Students: Most recent report card, teacher letter of recommendation, and PAL
Community College Students: Professor letter of recommendation, unofficial transcript, and PAL

Summer Program Dates
Software Track: June 7–17, 2027 | 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Hardware Track: June 21–July 1, 2027 | 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

Summer Learning Experiences
- Hands-on experiential learning in digital health
- Collaboration with research and healthcare partners
- Skill-building in digital health innovation
- Development of prototypes addressing real-world healthcare challenges

Academic-Year Engagement
- Six Saturday sessions during the academic year
- Participation in the Spring Innovator Showcase
- Continued collaboration with mentors and the student cohort

Information Session Webinars

Join a webinar to learn more about the Digital Health Workforce Initiative (DHWI), program tracks, eligibility requirements, application materials, and upcoming deadlines.

High School & Community College Students
Wednesday, December 2, 2026 | 6:00–6:30 p.m.
Join the Student Information Webinar

High School Teachers
Wednesday, December 2, 2026 | 6:45–7:15 p.m.
Join the Teacher Information Webinar

Program Flyers

To download the DHWI Flyers click here.

DHWI Program Administration

If you have any questions about DHWI, you can contact the program lead.

Brittany Templeton
Associate Director for Computer Science and Mathematics
713-348-8218 | bt36@rice.edu

^{*Program times, dates, locations, and compensation are subject to change before the first day of the program.
**Must be a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident to apply.}

^{This program is contingent upon funding.}