Applying to be a Fellow

For Public Health

Key points

  • The Class of 2026 fellowship application period is closed. Please continue to check this site for updates.
  • Applicants should ensure they meet the basic program requirements before applying.
  • Selected "finalists" will have the chance to interview with CDC host programs to determine a potential match.
  • Attend an informational webinar to learn more about the Evaluation Fellowship Program (EFP) and its application process.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted through the online portal.

Fellowship applicants go through an extensive selection process, including an initial application review to determine finalists, followed by finalist interviews with potential host programs. The process ends by matching fellows with a CDC host program based on mutual interest.

To apply to EFP, applicants must:

  • Meet the requirements described on Fellow Eligibility and Requirements.
  • Be willing to commit to a two-year, full-time program.
  • Be willing to relocate to the assignment location.
  • Have U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status with a green card valid for at least two years from the start of the fellowship (mid-August).

To apply to the fellowship, you will access the online portal to:

  • Answer questions about your education and evaluation experience.
  • Answer questions about your interest and goals for applying to the program.
  • Upload your resume or CV (2 pages max).
  • Obtain two letters of recommendation (requested through the application portal).
  • Submit your transcript of highest educational degree. Transcripts issued to the student are acceptable with the application. However, they must state your degree of study, courses taken, earned grades, and graduation date. If selected as a fellow, you must have your academic institution(s) send an official transcript(s) issued directly to the CDC Evaluation Fellowship and CDC Office of Human Resources.
  • Upload a copy of your green card (if applicable).

You can find an application reference sheet here.
You can find a reference sheet for your recommenders here.

Key dates

October 20, 2026, 1–2 pm ET

  • Info Session #1 (General Session): General information and 2027 application overview webinar. Register here.

October 26, 2026

  • Application period opens.

November 12, 2026, 1–2 pm ET

  • Info Session #2 (Deep Dive): In-depth application-focused webinar. Register here.

December 2, 2026, 1–2 pm ET

  • Info Session #3 (General Session): General information and 2027 application overview webinar. Register here.

December 17, 2026, 1–2 pm ET

  • Info Session #4 (Deep Dive): In-depth application-focused webinar. Register here.

January 7, 2027

  • Application period closes at 11:59 pm ET. Applications that are incomplete, late, or not submitted through the application system will not be accepted.

February 25–26, 2027

  • EFP selects and notifies applicants of their status.

February 26–March 5, 2027

  • Finalists review and rate their interest in CDC host programs.

March 8–April 9, 2027

  • Host programs review finalist application packets, select finalists to invite for interviews, and conduct interviews.
  • EFP hosts two check-in meetings with finalists to review next steps and answer questions.

April 10–13, 2027

  • Host programs and finalists submit rank-ordered lists.

April 14–15, 2027

  • EFP conducts match process and notifies finalists who matched.

April 16–22, 2027

  • Matched finalists accept or decline assignments.

August 9, 2027

  • Two-year fellowship begins.

Contact

For questions or more information, please contact the Evaluation Fellowship Program at evaluationfellows@cdc.gov.

Content Source
Public Health Infrastructure Center; Division of Workforce Development
About This Page
Published: May 15, 2024
Updated: September 17, 2026

This page was last updated on this date. Updates may include minor edits, image changes, or other modifications to page content.

Reviewed: September 17, 2026

The information on this page was last reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy.