Fellowship FAQs

If you have any questions, the Fellowships Team is here to help! Please contact us at [email protected].

In addition, we host weekly office hours, every Wednesday, 3:00-4:00 pm ET, where you can ask any of your questions.​

The Fellowship Program aims to strengthen laboratory systems and workforce needs by developing the next generation of public health scientists! The fellowship program will focus on training participants in alignment with established laboratory core competencies and offer experiential learning opportunities across laboratory science focus areas. 

CDC's e-learning course,  Introduction to Public Health, offers an introduction to public health core functions, essential services, key terms, historical perspectives and the determinants affecting population health.

• Provide proof of US citizenship or permanent residency.
• Be at least 18 years old.
• Have completed at least a bachelor's degree or will expect completion by the time the fellowship begins.
• Be prepared to be a fellow for at least one year, attend professional development opportunities and complete periodic reports/surveys as well as training curriculum.

• Transcript (official or unofficial; PDF version will be required for upload/attachment to application)
• Resume or CV (PDF version will be required for upload/attachment to application)
• Professional references and their email addresses (bachelor- and master-level applicants will need two (2), and doctorate level will need three (3) with one being their doctoral program advisor)
• List of desirable placement/location options for your fellowship

Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis; there is no deadline to apply. Review the requirements above and submit your application today.

All paychecks will be issued on the last working day of the month.

Supplementary Support Funds are allocated to each fellow to help offset expenses associated with a fellow’s participation in the Fellowship Program. These include relocation, unexpected hardship and other situations that could have prevented the fellow from participating in their fellowship. These funds will be distributed as a one-time payment, which will be included in the fellow’s first stipend payment, and is intended to be used on an as-needed basis by the fellow throughout their participation in the Fellowship Program. Supplementary Support Funds are calculated individually and will therefore differ per fellow depending on relocation parameters. Fellows should refer to their contract for the funding amount.

• Relocation Stipend: Fellows will be provided a relocation stipend in their first stipend payment as part of their Supplementary Support Funds to help offset the cost of relocating from their current home address to be closer to their host laboratory or agency.

• Hardship Support Stipend: Fellows will be provided a hardship support stipend in the amount of $1,500 in their first stipend payment as part of their Supplementary Support Funds to support them through unexpected barriers that may arise while participating in the Fellowship Program, such as those related to housing, relocation, family or medical related situations.

This form instructs Payroll where to deposit your stipend each month. 

Here is a reference guide for the Preferred Payment Method form.

You will initially sign a one-year contract. If funding is available, you will have the option to extend the fellowship to a second year if both you and your mentor agree. Extensions are not guaranteed.

We will send out a Request for Extension form to you and your mentor during the last quarter of the first year of the fellowship to gauge collective interest in a program extension for up to one year (maximum). If both agree to an extension, you will complete and return the Request for Extension form to [email protected]. If funding is available, and therefore the extension is granted, we will notify both mentor and fellow, and a contract/agreement amendment will be drafted by us and distributed to you for your signature.   

Those that your host laboratory observes. Any time taken outside of this will be considered PTO taken out of your 12 days.

​You are responsible for creating your own schedule and dedicating time to complete your training plan during the entirety of your fellowship. There is no set due date for each module. For further guidance, please visit the  Fellowship Training Curriculum page.

First-year fellows are eligible for funding for approved professional development opportunities or purchases. The amount is outlined in your fellowship agreement (contract).

Please review the list of approved opportunities on this form.

** You are required to submit a professional development request prior to making purchases or attending an event. Funds cannot be used retroactively.** 

The APHL Fellowship Team will communicate professional development opportunities to all fellows through the monthly fellow newsletter and in the Fellowship ColLABorate Community. 

This overview guide provides details about the request and disbursement process and should be reviewed prior to submitting a request. 

• The CDC states that these funds cannot be used for equipment purchases (i.e., laptops).
• The disbursed funds are meant to defray expenses associated with approved professional development opportunities and may not cover the entire cost of the expense(s).
• These funds are for fellows and not host laboratory or agency personnel.
• Funds are not transferable to another term if a fellow is granted an extension.
• Remaining funds are not eligible for disbursement after a fellow has concluded their fellowship. 

Effective February 1, 2026, proof of purchase or attendance must be submitted through the Highlight Your Experience form after the event, once funds have been disbursed. Acceptable proof includes a registration confirmation email, conference badge, or receipt showing your name and event date, as well as screenshots, confirmations, or photos taken at the event to demonstrate participation.​

Second-year fellows will be allocated professional development funds. For reference, please review the categories of approved opportunities on this form. 

The amount of allocated funds will be prorated based on extension length as shown in the chart below.​​

Allocated funds depending on extension length:

​Extension Length	Allocated Funds​
1-3 months​	$1,000​
​4-6 months	$2,000​
7-9 months​	$3,000​
10-12 months​	$4,000​​

 ** Fellows are required to submit a professional development request prior to making purchases or attending an event. Funds cannot be used retroactively.** 

Additional details about approved in-person experiential learning opportunities are listed in this reference guide. Fellows are always encouraged to contact the APHL Fellowship Team at [email protected] ​with any questions. 

This overview guide provides in-depth detail about the parameters surrounding the professional development request and disbursement process and should be reviewed prior to submitting a request. 

• The CDC states that these funds cannot be used for equipment purchases (i.e., laptops).
• These funds are for fellows and not host laboratory or agency personnel.
• Funds are not transferable between years.
• Remaining funds are not eligible for disbursement after a fellow has concluded their fellowship year. 

Effective February 1, 2026, proof of purchase or attendance must be submitted through the Highlight Your Experience form after the event, once funds have been disbursed. Acceptable proof includes a registration confirmation email, conference badge, or receipt showing your name and event date, as well as screenshots, confirmations, or photos taken at the event to demonstrate participation.​

To clarify, APHL is not your "employer" but actually is an educational experience program that oversees your fellowship, which makes a difference for the IRS. Since your fellowship does count as being an educational experience, you can likely get deferment while in the fellowship program but not loan forgiveness, but please ask your tax professional.

Additional information about deferment, including the Graduate Fellowship Deferment Request form, can be found on studentaid.gov. It is also advised that you contact your loan service provider with other questions about eligibility.

After completing the form you need, please send it to [email protected] as a PDF where we will complete Section 4. Once we have reviewed and signed the form, we will return it to you along with a verification letter and a previous correspondence from the IRS, all of which you can provide to your student loan institution.

Here is a reference guide to filling out your Traveler Profile

• Traveler Profile Standard Operating Procedure