Public Health Law Fellowships

Key points

  • Students interested in public health law can gain experience by participating in CDC's fellowship program.
  • Selected students are paired with CDC host sites that support public health law and policy fields.
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Overview

The Public Health Law Fellowship provides diverse demographic, geographic, and academic students hands-on training in preparation for public health law and policy careers.

The program strengthens the public health law workforce by increasing diversity within the field and filling workforce gaps at health departments, CDC, and partner organizations. It also aims to prepare the next generation of public health law professionals to respond to critical issues.

The fellowship provides a paid opportunity for individuals with accessibility, exclusivity, or inequity barriers. It aims to recruit applicants with diverse perspectives, creativity, cultural awareness and inclusivity, and innovative approaches to problem-solving.

Qualifications

CDC's OPHLS fellowship, internship, and externship are designed for current graduate students (e.g., MPH, DrPH, MPA, PhD) or law students (JD). This includes recent graduates of these programs (within the past five years), interested in public health law or policy careers.

Ideal candidates will have a strong commitment to:

  • Understanding the role of law in public health
  • Improving health equity through law and policy
  • Strengthening emergency response capacity

Ideal candidates will bring:

  • Experience with diverse perspectives
  • Creativity
  • Cultural awareness and inclusivity
  • An innovative approach to problem solving

How to apply

Fellowship applications for the 2025 cohort will be open from September 17 to September 23, 2024. Deadlines regarding future cohorts will be released when available.

Please click the following link to apply for the CDC Public Health Law Fellowship. Email PHLFellowship@CDC.gov to be added to the fellowship mailing list.

Appointment Start Date

The appointment starts on January 21, 2025.

Appointment Length

January 20, 2026.

Compensation

The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience.

Level of Participation

The appointment is full-time (40 hours per week).

Citizenship Requirements

This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs), and foreign nationals. Non-U.S. citizen applicants should review the ORISE Guidelines for Non-US Citizens web page for acceptable immigration status information for program participation.

Application Questions

Email PHLFellowship@cdc.gov for more information.

Upcoming Application Deadlines

Applications for the 2025 cohort are now closed.

Email PHLFellowship@cdc.gov for information on future cohorts.