ASPPH/CDC Public Health Fellowship Program
Program Overview
Since 1982, ASPPH has supported the professional development of more than 2,100 recent public health graduates through fellowship and internship programs in partnership with CDC. Established in 1995, the ASPPH/CDC Public Health Fellowship Program is a collaborative effort between the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The program strengthens host site capacity, advances priority public health initiatives, enhances data and evaluation efforts, fosters innovation, and supports long-term governmental public health workforce development.
The fellowship program provides mentored, applied learning opportunities for early-career professionals holding master’s and doctoral degrees in public health. Participants build upon their academic training while gaining hands-on experience with national public health initiatives, advanced technologies and data systems, and direct engagement with CDC subject-matter experts. These experiences are designed to bridge academic preparation and real-world practice, strengthening participants’ professional skills in applied public health settings.
By the conclusion of the program, participants have made meaningful contributions to CDC-aligned public health projects and developed a strong foundation of skills to support long-term careers in governmental public health.
Benefits of Being an ASPPH/CDC Public Health Fellow
Candidates selected for the ASPPH/CDC Public Health Fellowship Program will participate in a mentored, training program designed to prepare them for leadership positions in public health.
Hands-On, Real-World Experience
Fellowship program participants engage in applied public health work that builds practical, job-ready skills and complements academic training beyond the classroom.
Access to Cutting-Edge Research and Resources
Fellowship program participants benefit from access to CDC’s world-class research, data systems, tools, and public health resources that inform evidence-based practice.
Expert Mentorship and Professional Guidance
Each fellow is paired with experienced public health professionals and leaders who provide technical guidance, career mentoring, and leadership development support throughout the fellowship.
Meaningful Public Health Impact
Fellowship program participants contribute directly to addressing real public health challenges and advancing initiatives aligned with the CDC’s mission.
Professional Networking and Career Development
The fellowship program provides exceptional opportunities to engage with public health experts and peers. Fellowship program participants develop enduring professional connections that foster collaboration, career growth, and increased influence in the field.
Through hands-on experience, expert mentorship, and access to CDC’s extensive resources, the ASPPH/CDC Public Health Fellowship Program empowers emerging public health professionals to tackle real-world challenges, strengthen advanced skills, and grow as leaders committed to lasting public health impact.
Fellowship Program Structure
- Fellowship placement period: September 1, 2026 – August 28, 2027
- Fellow commitment: Full-time
- Project focus: Projects vary based on the host site’s mission, the fellowship track, and the project discipline area. Detailed position descriptions are provided in the 2026 Program Announcement.
- Professional development: In addition to daily, hands-on training, fellowship program participants will participate in a series of synchronous and asynchronous professional development sessions sponsored by CDC and ASPPH.
- Location: For 2026–2027, most fellowship opportunities will be based in Atlanta; some positions may offer remote and/or hybrid work options. Project descriptions will indicate whether remote or hybrid work is available. Remote work is not guaranteed, and in-person work requirements will be determined by each fellow’s assigned mentor. If a host office requires relocation to the fellowship location, relocation costs will not be reimbursed.
Informational Webinar
ASPPH will host an informational webinar for interested Fellowship applicants. Registration is required.
Date/Time: Tuesday, February 24, 2026; 1 – 2 PM Eastern.
Applicant Eligibility
Applicants must have received their Master’s or Doctorate degree prior to the beginning of the fellowship (no later than August 2026) or within the last five years (no earlier than May 2021). Graduate degrees must be earned from CEPH-accredited public health schools and programs that are ASPPH members. All applicants must be U.S. citizens or hold a visa permitting lawful permanent residence (“Green Card”) in the U.S. to be eligible for the fellowship program.
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, described in the 2026 Program Announcement. 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 complete essays
- Two letters of recommendation of official letterhead
- Verification of graduation date
- Unofficial/official transcript
Evaluation Criteria
The following criteria will be used to assess the applicant’s preparedness and ability to engage fully in the fellowship program.
| Evaluation Criteria | Maximum Points |
| Quality of Essays | 50 |
| Strength of Credentials | 20 |
| Previous Experience | 10 |
| Recommendations | 20 |
Application and Placement Timeline
Application Opens: February 13, 2026
Application Closes: March 13, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern
| Date (2026) | ||
| February 13 | Application Opens | |
| February 24 | Informational webinar for interested applicants | |
| March 13 | Application Closes | |
| March 16 – March 20 | ASPPH: Preliminary Application Review | |
| March 23 – April 21 | Public Health Subject Matter Experts: Objective Review | |
| April 22 – May 22 | CDC: Technical Review & Interviews | |
| May 26 – June 23 | Final Selection and Placement | |
| June 25 – August 31 | Onboarding | |
| September 1 – September 4 | Orientation |
Fellowship Placements
Currently, 18 fellowship placements are available for the 2026 ASPPH/CDC Public Health Fellowship Program.
| Fellowship Placement Host Site | Track | Number of Placements | |
| Center for Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics (CFA) | Core Public Health | 1 | |
| Global Health Center (GHC) | Core Public Health | 1 | |
| National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP) | Core Public Health | 4 | |
| National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD) | Core Public Health | 6 | |
| National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC) | Health Education* | 2 | |
| National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD) | Core Public Health | 1 | |
| National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) | Core Public Health | 1 | |
| Office of Laboratory Systems and Response (OLSR) | Core Public Health (1) Health Education* (1) | 2 |
*The “Health Education Track” involves additional training focused on areas of responsibility and competencies for health education specialists.
Stipends and Allowances
The 2026 training stipend for fellowship placements is $64,625 for Master’s-level candidates and $78,189 for candidates with terminal graduate degrees (MD, PhD, DrPH, JD, etc.). In addition to the fellowship stipend, program participants will have access to a $7,500 health insurance allowance intended to help offset the costs of health/dental/vision insurance premiums during the one-year fellowship period. Some placements may also offer a travel and training allowance, which is determined by each individual CDC host office.
Contact Us
Please send questions to trainingprograms@aspph.org
Funding Statement
This program is funded through OE22-2201 Strengthening the Population & Public Health Workforce Pipeline by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of financial assistance award NU36OE000014 to the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health.