| Digital Health Workforce Initiative (DHWI) We’re excited to announce that applications are now open for the Digital Health Workforce Initiative (DHWI) — a new NSF-supported, free, and paid summer program at Rice University that offers hands-on digital health research and experiential learning for high school students, community college students, and high school educators.
Participants explore emerging biomedical hardware technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare through hands-on projects, mentorship, and skill-building workshops.
Whether you're an educator seeking to bring cutting-edge STEM content to your classroom or a student looking to build real-world technical skills, DHWI provides immersive summer opportunities led by university and industry mentors. |
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Informational Zoom Session | December 2, 2025 - Community College & High School Students: 6:00–6:30 p.m.
- High School Educators (Math, Physics, CS, CTE): 6:45–7:15 p.m.
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High School Educators in Math, Physics, CS, or CTE Program Overview The Digital Health Workforce Initiative (DHWI), funded by NSF, the Digital Health Institute, and Houston Methodist, supports high school teachers in math, physics, computer science, and career and technical education in integrating emerging digital health technologies into classroom practice.
Educators will participate in a two-week summer program focused on hardware and software applications in digital health, followed by continued academic-year collaboration.In addition to hands-on training, teachers will engage in 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, they will design and publish lessons incorporating experiential learning and digital health applications that can be used in the secondary classrooms. Benefits - Hands-on real world experience with digital health hardware and software
- Participants will develop an in-depth understanding of circuits, digital design, artificial intelligence tools, and their applications in the biomedical enterprise.
- Equip teachers with Experiential Learning Pedagogy Strategies.
- Collaboration with university researchers and healthcare professionals
- Participation in a Spring Innovator Showcase
- Stipends up to $5,300
Eligibility & Application - Open to high school teachers in math, physics, computer science, and CTE
- Priority consideration for applicants from Alief ISD, HISD, and Aldine ISD
- Must be a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident
- Selection will use a lottery process among eligible applicants
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Community College & High-School Students Program Overview The Digital Health Workforce Initiative (DHWI) is a new NSF-supported program offering paid summer opportunities for high school students, community college students, and high school teachers to explore emerging biomedical hardware technologies and AI in healthcare through hands-on learning.
The current 9th–10th grade students and community college students cohort will take part in either a software or hardware track pathway, gaining experience in coding, sensors, data, and real-world digital health AI applications. Students will learn alongside university and industry mentors and receive continued academic-year enrichment and collaboration. Benefits - Hands-on experience with digital health software and hardware systems
- Skill-building in coding, sensors, data analysis, and problem-solving
- Collaboration with university researchers and healthcare professionals
- Participation in a Spring Innovator Showcase
- Stipends up to $1,800 for high school students
- Stipends up to $3,000 for community college students
Eligibility & Application - Open to current 9th–10th grade high school students (2025–2026 school year) and Community college students
- Priority consideration for applicants from:
- High School: Alief ISD, HISD, and Aldine ISD
- Community College: Houston City College and San Jacinto College
School Year Training (Fall 2026 - Spring 2027) | Student Program Dates: - Software Track: June 8 – June 18, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Hardware Track: June 22 – July 2, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
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Application Details:- Application closes: January 7, 2026
- Notification: February 27, 2026
- Application link: bit.ly/DHWIxRSTEM
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