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MMH Fellowship Program

Applications for the 2026 Cohort are live!

NC MATTERS is excited to continue with the 3rd cohort of our Maternal Mental Health Fellowship in 2026. North Carolina health care professionals across the state will be invited to participate in a collaborative learning program focused on expanding access to quality mental health care for perinatal people. Made possible through Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) funding to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health, in partnership with UNC and Duke, this program is designed to be interprofessional and include each of the six perinatal care regions.

Participants will have the opportunity to:

  • Gain the tools and knowledge to effectively screen, assess, and manage perinatal mental health and substance use disorders in pregnant and postpartum patients.
  • Increase their confidence in delivering evidence-based interventions and creating individualized care plans to address the unique needs of parents experiencing behavioral health challenges during the perinatal period.
  • Learn how to effectively communicate with patients about sensitive topics related to mental health and substance use, building trust and improving patient engagement.
  • Develop skills to advocate for systemic changes for patients struggling with perinatal mental health and substance use issues, both within healthcare settings and in the broader community.
  • Partner with the NC MATTERS team to support local initiatives and improve community resources for families, focusing on creating accessible, culturally competent care options.​
Health care and human service professionals of any license type or background who work with pregnant or postpartum people, or with parents of very young children, are eligible to apply.
Yes! Our goal is to have representation from every perinatal care region and from a variety of professionals.
Applications for 2026 will launch in January and close in February 13th. Selected Fellows will be notified Monday, March 2nd. The first in-person meeting for the selected cohort will take place on Thursday, April 23rd.
The Fellowship begins in April and will continue monthly through September 2026. All meetings will be held via Zoom except for two in-person events, which will take place in April and August. Fellows will be expected to collaborate on a region-specific initiative outside of our scheduled sessions. A new cohort will be selected annually.
Accommodations and meals will be covered for the August meeting. Additional travel expenses may be reimbursed by request if they present a barrier to full participation. 
Previous applicants to the 2025 cohort will be strongly considered for the 2026 cohort, but we do ask that you complete a new application.
Please submit your questions here.
Right here!
Here is a PDF copy of the 2026 Fellowship Application.

The Letter of Support is required to confirm that your employer supports your participation in the Fellowship and that you are able to participate during regular business/work hours as part of your professional development.