1. What is the difference between the training fellowship and the research fellowship?
The training fellowship is a one-year program for candidates with bachelor’s or master’s degrees. The research fellowship is a two-year program for candidates with postdoctoral (PhD, MD or DVM) degrees. Don’t be misled by the names – training fellows do research and research fellows receive training during their fellowship!
2. What academic degrees are applicable to this program?
Appropriate academic degrees for this program include biology, microbiology, virology, chemistry, medical technology or a related discipline. Applicants without a degree in a physical science will be considered if they have significant laboratory science and/or public health coursework or experience.
3. I will not have finished my degree by the application deadline. Can I still apply?
Yes, you do not have to have completed your degree by the application deadline. All bachelor’s and master’s level candidates must have completed their degree by the time the fellowship begins (mid-September 2010). Postdoctoral candidates who require additional time to complete their degree requirements may delay their start date to February 2011. Degree requirements must be completed by February 2011.
4. I am not a US citizen. Can I still apply for the fellowship?
No, this program is open only to US citizens.
5. Does the fellowship program provide a salary and benefits?
Yes, the annual stipend (2009) is $32,039 for fellows with a bachelor’s degree; $35,713 for fellows with a master’s degree; and $43,952 for fellows with a postdoctoral degree. Fellows are also provided with comprehensive medical insurance, travel to the interviews, orientation, and host laboratory and a professional development allowance.
6. What types of research do fellows do?
The fellowship program offers a wide variety of training and research experiences. Examples of projects include research in molecular genetics, pathogenesis, epidemiology and cell biology. Fellows may be trained in specific laboratory techniques such as real-time PCR, DNA sequencing and mass spectrometry. Fellows may receive specialized training and experience with a specific pathogen, or generalized training in influenza or STD surveillance, newborn screening or chemical and biological warfare agents. Other work may include diagnostic virology, bioanalytical chemistry, foodborne disease research including Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE), clinical and environmental diagnostics and epidemiologic studies of disease outbreaks.
Fellows also have opportunities to participate in research seminars, teleconferences, regional and national meetings and other continuing education opportunities.
For more information about the work of the current class of fellows, see APHL’s Focus on Fellows brochure.
7. Who are the host laboratories and where are they located?
APHL member local, state and CDC public health laboratories are eligible to apply to host one or more EID fellows. These laboratories are located throughout the US. Host laboratories must submit an application by March 1, 2010. These applications will be available for candidates to view in May 2010. Approximately half of all fellows will be placed in local and state laboratories around the US, and approximately half of all fellows will be placed in CDC laboratories in Atlanta, Georgia; Fort Collins, Colorado; Anchorage, Alaska; and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
8. How are fellows assigned to a host laboratory?
Both host laboratories and fellows will be given the opportunity to prioritize their preferences for fellow-host laboratory assignments. Fellow-host laboratory matches are based on program opportunities, host laboratory preference and fellow preference. APHL cannot guarantee that fellows will be assigned to his/her first choice laboratory, and fellows must be willing to accept several host laboratory assignments. Fellows cannot request or accept an assignment at a host laboratory of current/recent employment.
9. Tell me more about the mentors.
Program mentors are experienced public health laboratory professionals committed to providing training and research opportunities to fellows. Fellows will have the opportunity to network with mentors before submitting their final list of laboratory choices.
10. How many fellowship positions are offered annually, and how many applications does APHL receive?
Annually, up to 35 training fellowships (bachelor’s and master’s level) and 10 research (doctoral level) fellowships are awarded. In 2009, APHL received nearly 250 applications for the program.
11. Who should write my letters of recommendation?
Ideally, your letters of recommendation should be written by individuals who can comment on your laboratory skills and interests, such as science professors or laboratory supervisors. Non-science professors and other employers are also acceptable references.
12. What if my letters of recommendation or transcripts are sent directly to APHL?
We prefer all application materials arrive together in one envelope. However, if a letter of recommendation or transcript is sent directly to APHL separate from the rest of your application, APHL program staff will add it to your other application materials.
13. If my application is postmarked by the application deadline but not received at APHL until after the deadline, will it still be considered?
No, only complete applications that are received by the application deadline will be considered.
14. By what criteria does the selection committee review my application?
Each application is reviewed by several members of the selection committee and evaluated based on the following criteria:
Reasons for participation and future plans
Description of desired training and research focus
Academic performance, employment history and extracurricular activities
Professional recommendations
Finalists will be invited to interview for the program in June in Atlanta.
15. What happens after I complete the fellowship?
Some fellows do accept temporary or permanent positions at their host laboratory following completion of the fellowship program. Others pursue advanced degrees, employment opportunities at academic or private laboratories, other fellowships and positions in health-related private industry or non-profit health-related organizations. There is no guarantee of employment at the host laboratory, APHL or CDC following completion of the fellowship program.
16. Will I receive notification that my application was received by APHL?
Yes, APHL will acknowledge receipt of all applications by e-mail. However, it is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that his/her application is complete. So please, try to include all letters of recommendation and transcript(s) in one packet!
17. Can I include additional materials (such as extra letters of recommendation, copies of publications, etc.) in my application?
No, please do not include any additional materials in your application. Only the requested application materials will be forwarded to the selection committee for consideration.