APHL-CDC Infectious Diseases Laboratory Fellowship

​​​​​​​​Applications for the 2021 program are currently being accepted.

The Infectious Diseases Laboratory (ID) Fellowship, sponsored by APHL and CDC, trains and prepares scientists for careers in public health laboratories and supports public health initiatives related to infectious diseases. The fellowship’s mission is to provide a high quality training experience for the fellow while providing workforce capacity to the public health laboratory community.

APHL-CDC Infectious Diseases Laboratory Fellowship​ Program Specifics

The ID Fellowship is a one-year full-time experiential training opportunity for post-master’s and post-doctoral level scientists. Post-doctoral fellows may extend their term for a second year if funding and opportunity are available. ID Fellows are placed in local, state or federal (CDC) public health laboratories throughout the US to receive training in bench-level laboratory skills and methods, and assist with high-priority infectious disease testing, surveillance, and control measures. The ID Fellowship offers disease-specific tracks that allow fellows to receive in-depth specialized training. Available disease-specific tracks vary each year and may include, but are not limited to, tracks specializing in foodborne illnesses, vector-borne diseases, respiratory diseases, etc. Based on the fellow's interests and available host lab opportunities, fellows will be assigned a disease-specific track following interviews and matching with the host laboratory. APHL cannot guarantee the offering of specific tracks nor the fellow's placement into a specific track.

Prior to the fellowship start date, all fellows participate in a week-long orientation session to gain an understanding of the public health laboratory system and how it relates to infectious disease research, prevention, surveillance and control. Once in their host labs, fellows are supervised by an experienced mentor and work on bench-level projects proposed by the host laboratory. During their appointment, fellows may have opportunities to collaborate with federal (CDC) public health laboratories or complete inter-laboratory experiences. In addition to laboratory-specific work, fellows participate in distance-based training and learning activities to achieve proficiency in select public health laboratory core competencies.

Program Benefits

Fellows receive a stipend, allowances for: health insurance, relocation to the host laboratory, professional development and; complimentary student membership to APHL. The stipend begins at $45,627/year for master's level fellows and $55,264/year for doctoral level fellows, with a cost of living adjustment for major metropolitan areas. 

Eligibility and Requirements

Applicants must be US citizens or permanent residents. Applicants to the program must have completed a master’s degree in a science-related discipline by the program start date. The degree must have been received within the last five years. Applicants must be able to participate in the orientation session and start their appointment at the host laboratory following the program timeline (see below).

Application Process​

Application Requirements​

Applicants are re​​quired to submit an online application to APHL by the application deadline. The application includes: 

• Narrative statement​​
• Resume or CV
• Three letters of recommendation
• Transcripts from all degree-granting institutions. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable for application purposes, but official transcripts are required upon acceptance into the program 
  
• Proof of US citizenship or permanent residency

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure all materials, including letters of recommendation, are received by APHL by the application deadline. App​lications that are incomplete or received after the deadline will not be considered.

​​​​2021–2022 ​Fellowship Application Timeline*

• November 2020: Online applications available for prospective fellows 
  
• February 28, 2021: Fellow applications are due ​
  
• April 2021: All applicants are notified of status; finalists are invited to interview 
  
• May 2021: Interviews and fellow selection
  
• Summer 2021: Fellows report to host laboratories and begin fellowship
  

Learn more

Please review our frequently asked questions about the program and the application process, or contact fellowships@aphl.org.

Host Laboratories

APHL is not recruiting for ID Fellowship host laboratories at this time. Applications for ID host labs wills open in fall 2021. APHL member local and state public health laboratories interested in learning more about hosting an ID Laboratory Fellows, please see the Host Laboratory Instructions and Application page.