ASPPH/CDC Tribal Health Department Fellowship Program
Application Opens: March 25, 2026
Application Closes: April 30, 2026 at 11:59 PM Pacific
Program Overview
Established in 2025, The ASPPH/CDC Tribal Health Department Fellowship Program is a collaborative effort between the ASPPH Center for Public Health Workforce Development and the CDC to provide capacity-building assistance to Tribal Health Departments. The program places fellowship program participants with graduate-level public health degrees in Tribal Health Department host sites where they contribute to host site-defined projects and are mentored by Tribal health professionals.
Upon completion of the ASPPH/CDC Tribal Health Department Fellowship Program, fellowship program participants will have contributed to Tribal Health Department capacity building while completing a competency-based, mentored training program that will lay the foundation for a career in Tribal public health.
Benefits of Being an ASPPH/CDC Tribal Health Department Program Fellow
Hands-On, Real-World Experience
Applied Tribal public health work builds practical, job-ready skills and complements academic training beyond the classroom.
Expert Mentorship and Professional Guidance
Each fellow is paired with a Tribal public health professional from their host site and receives guidance throughout the fellowship placement.
Meaningful Public Health Impact
Directly address real public health challenges and advance initiatives aligned with Tribal Health Department capacity-building priorities.
Culturally Responsive Professional Development
Participate in tailored professional development workshops focused on Tribal public health concepts and core public health skills.
Fellowship Program Structure
- Fellowship placement period: September 1, 2026 – August 15, 2027. Pending the availability of funds and satisfactory progress by the fellow, placements may be extended for up to one additional year.
- Fellow commitment: Full-time
- Project focus: Each Tribal Health Department host site has defined a unique fellowship project focus based on the host site’s capacity-building priorities. Detailed host site and project descriptions may be found in the Fellowship Placements section below.
- Professional development: In addition to daily, hands-on training, fellowship program participants will participate in a series of professional development sessions led by ASPPH and Tribal public health partners.
- Location: Most 2026 – 2027 fellowship opportunities require the fellow to serve in-person at the Tribal Health Department host site location. Some host sites may offer hybrid and/or remote work options in certain circumstances. Host site and project descriptions indicate whether remote or hybrid work is available. Relocation costs will not be reimbursed.
- Stipend and Allowance: Each fellow will receive an annual stipend of $50,000 to be paid in bi-monthly installments. Each fellow will be allocated an allowance for reimbursable expenses, such as health insurance, training, and travel expenses that may be incurred in support of their placement.
Fellowship Placements
Each applicant may apply for up to three fellowship placements.
COMING SOON: HOST SITE AND PROJECT DESCRIPTIONS
Applicant Eligibility
To be eligible to serve as an ASPPH/CDC Tribal Health Department Program Fellow, applicants must meet all of the below eligibility requirements without exception.
- Completed a graduate degree program between May 2021 and August 2026. Graduate degrees must come from ASPPH member schools and programs of public health that are CEPH-accredited.
- Must be U.S. citizens or hold a visa permitting permanent residence (“Green Card”) in the U.S.
Applicant Instructions and Requirements
Applications must be submitted using the ASPPH Applied Learning & Training Portal.
To begin your online application, create an account by clicking the “Sign Up” on the login page. If you already have an account, you may log in on this page.
Each applicant may apply for up to three fellowship placements. Applicants should carefully review all instructions provided throughout the online application system.
After submitting an application, applicants may make edits at any time before the application deadline by clicking the pencil icon in the “My Status” section. If changes are made, the application must be resubmitted by the deadline in order to be reviewed. Applications are reviewed only after the online application deadline has passed. Incomplete or late applications will not be accepted.
Application Checklist
- Resume
- Two letters of recommendation on official letterhead
- One complete essay per fellowship placement
- Verification of graduation date
- Unofficial/official transcript
Application and Placement Timeline
Application Opens: March 25, 2026
Application Closes: April 30, 2026, at 11:59 PM Pacific
| Date (2026) | ||
| March 25 | Application opens | |
| April 30, 11:59 PM Pacific | Application closes | |
| May 1 – 5 | ASPPH reviews applications for eligibility | |
| May 6 – 14 | Host sites review eligible applications | |
| May 18 – 27 | Interviews | |
| May 28 – June 12 | Final selection and placements |
Contact Us
All questions regarding the application process should be sent to trainingprograms@aspph.org
Funding Statement
This project is supported by Cooperative Agreement PW-24-0080 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention awarded to the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH). The contents of this document are solely the responsibility of ASPPH and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Note: Completing the ASPPH/CDC Tribal Health Department Fellowship Program does not guarantee full-time employment at the CDC, any other federal agency, or the Tribal Health Department host site.