Master’s graduates and advanced-degree candidates interested in public health can explore a wide range of full-time fellowship opportunities connected to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The CDC’s current master’s-level fellowship page lists programmes that typically last:
one to two years
and provide hands-on experience designed to help participants build public-health careers.
Many of the listed programmes are explicitly described as:
paid.
Current opportunities cover fields such as:
- Bioinformatics
- Public health informatics
- Epidemiology
- Environmental health
- Food safety
- Infectious diseases
- Laboratory science
- Evaluation
- Biorisk management
- Health communications
- Data science
- Global public health
CDC Fellowship Opportunities Overview
| Programme Area | Typical Length | Paid? | Application Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bioinformatics | 2 years | Yes | Rolling |
| Biorisk Management | 1–2 years | Yes | Rolling |
| Environmental Health Laboratory | 1–2 years | Yes | Rolling |
| Food Safety Laboratory | 1–2 years | Yes | Rolling |
| Infectious Diseases Laboratory | 1–2 years | Yes | Rolling |
| Informatics | 1–2 years | Yes | Rolling |
| Quality Management | 1–2 years | Yes | Rolling |
| Applied Public Health Informatics | 2 years | Yes | December–February |
| ASPPH/CDC Public Health | 1–2 years | Yes | January |
| Applied Epidemiology | 2 years | Yes | October–January |
| CDC Evaluation Fellowship | 2 years | Yes | November–February |
| Knowledge Translation | 1 year | Yes | Varies |
| Molecular Epidemiology | 1–2 years | Yes | December–April |
| ORISE CDC Research Opportunities | Varies | Yes | Varies |
| Public Health Informatics Fellowship | 2 years | Yes | September 1–November 6, 2026 |
| Global Public Health Fellowship | 1–3 years | Yes | December–January |
What Are CDC Full-Time Fellowships?
The CDC’s master’s-level fellowship opportunities are designed for people who already have, or will soon complete, a graduate degree and want applied experience in public health.
Unlike short internships, many of these programmes last one or two years.
Participants may work in areas involving:
- Research
- Surveillance
- Laboratory science
- Public health systems
- Data
- Epidemiology
- Evaluation
- Informatics
- Health communications
These fellowships can provide a bridge between academic training and professional public-health careers.
Why These Fellowships Matter
Opportunities Feed Analysis
One of the strongest features of the CDC fellowship landscape is the variety of technical and non-technical pathways available.
Public health is no longer limited to traditional epidemiology.
Current programmes also recruit people with skills in:
- Computer science
- Bioinformatics
- Data science
- Information systems
- Environmental science
- Laboratory science
- Programme evaluation
- Health communication
That gives candidates from several academic backgrounds potential entry routes into public-health work.
APHL-CDC Bioinformatics Fellowship
The APHL-CDC Bioinformatics Fellowship focuses on emerging public-health problems and allows fellows to apply technical skills in areas such as:
- Metagenomics
- Human genetics
- Algorithm development
- Software development
- Microbial genomics
- Other research areas
Eligibility
Applicants should have a:
- Master’s degree
- Doctoral degree
in:
- Bioinformatics
- Related disciplines
Duration and Pay
The fellowship lasts:
2 years
and is:
paid.
Application Period
Applications are:
rolling
with flexible start dates.
APHL-CDC Biorisk Management Fellowship
This programme focuses on areas such as:
- Biosafety
- Biosecurity
- Laboratory safety
- Regulations
- Training
- Partner outreach
- Risk-reduction policies
Eligible Degrees
Applicants may have bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral qualifications in fields including:
- Microbiology
- Biology
- Public Health
- Biochemistry
- Chemistry
- Virology
- Laboratory Science
- Medical Technology
Duration
1–2 years
Pay
Paid
Applications
Rolling with flexible start dates.
APHL-CDC Environmental Health Laboratory Fellowship
This programme helps prepare scientists for careers in public-health laboratories.
The fellowship focuses on:
- Human chemical exposures
- Biomonitoring
- Environmental health surveillance
Eligible Fields
Examples include:
- Public Health
- Environmental Health
- Environmental Science
- Biology
- Chemistry
Duration
1–2 years
Compensation
Paid
Application Period
Rolling
APHL-CDC Food Safety Laboratory Fellowship
The Food Safety Laboratory Fellowship focuses on areas such as:
- Regulatory food testing
- Genomic characterization of pathogens
- Foodborne outbreak detection
- Laboratory accreditation
Eligible Fields
Examples include:
- Microbiology
- Biology
- Public Health
- Virology
- Chemistry
- Food Science
- Epidemiology
Duration
1–2 years
Pay
Paid
Applications
Rolling
APHL-CDC Infectious Diseases Laboratory Fellowship
This fellowship prepares participants for public-health laboratory careers involving infectious disease.
Potential areas include:
- Testing
- Surveillance
- Research
- Disease control measures
Eligible Fields
Examples include:
- Microbiology
- Biology
- Public Health
- Virology
- Chemistry
- Laboratory Science
Duration
1–2 years
Pay
Paid
Applications
Rolling
APHL-CDC Informatics Fellowship
The Informatics Fellowship focuses on improving electronic capabilities in public health.
Eligible Fields
Applicants may come from:
- Computer Science
- Information Science
- Healthcare Informatics
- Clinical Informatics
- Laboratory Science with computer-science coursework
- Health Information Technology
- Technical Project Management
Duration
1–2 years
Pay
Paid
Application Period
Rolling
Why Informatics Is a Strong Career Path
Opportunities Feed Analysis
The Informatics Fellowship may be especially attractive to candidates who want to combine:
technology + data + public health.
Public-health systems increasingly depend on:
- Electronic reporting
- Data exchange
- Health information systems
- Digital surveillance
- Technical infrastructure
Candidates with computing or information-systems backgrounds may therefore have strong relevance even if they did not begin their academic careers in traditional public health.
APHL-CDC Quality Management Fellowship
This fellowship focuses on:
- Quality assurance
- Quality control
- Quality management systems
- Public-health laboratory systems
Eligible Fields
Applicants may hold degrees in:
- Public Health
- Environmental Health
- Environmental Science
- Microbiology
- Biology
- Biochemistry
- Chemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Virology
- Laboratory Science
Duration
1–2 years
Compensation
Paid
Application Timing
Rolling
Newborn Screening Fellowship
The Ronald H. Laessig Newborn Screening Fellowship prepares laboratory scientists for careers involving:
- Newborn screening
- Genetics research
- Public-health surveillance
- Prevention and control programmes
Eligible Fields
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Microbiology
- Biochemistry
- Genetics
- Related disciplines
Duration
1–2 years
Pay
Paid
Applications
Rolling
Applied Public Health Informatics Fellowship
The Applied Public Health Informatics Fellowship helps build:
- Informatics capacity
- Data-science capacity
- Laboratory capacity
at state and local health departments.
Eligibility
Recent graduates with:
- Master’s degrees
- Doctoral degrees
Duration
2 years
Pay
Paid
Application Period
December to February
ASPPH/CDC Public Health Fellowship Program
This fellowship provides training and experience in:
- Public health
- Prevention practice
- Informatics
- Policy
Eligibility
Applicants should have:
- MPH
- Doctoral degree
before the fellowship begins.
Duration
1–2 years
Pay
Paid
Application Period
January
ASPPH/CDC Tribal Health Department Fellowship
This programme focuses on capacity building for:
tribal health departments.
Eligibility
Applicants must have a:
graduate degree
before the fellowship starts.
Duration
1–2 years
Pay
Paid
Application Period
March to April
CDC/CSTE Applied Epidemiology Fellowship
This fellowship provides rigorous on-the-job training in applied epidemiology at:
- State health agencies
- Local health agencies
Eligibility
Applicants need a:
- Master’s degree
- Doctoral degree
in:
- Epidemiology
- Related field
Duration
2 years
Pay
Paid
Application Period
October to January
CDC Evaluation Fellowship
The CDC Evaluation Fellowship places fellows in host programmes across CDC.
Participants work on:
- Programme evaluation
- Evaluation capacity
- Applied learning
The fellowship also includes professional-development support from host programmes.
Eligibility
- Master’s degree
- Doctoral degree
Duration
2 years
Pay
Paid
Application Period
November to February
Why Evaluation Skills Matter
Opportunities Feed Career Analysis
Programme evaluation is increasingly important in public health because organizations need evidence showing whether:
- Programmes work
- Resources are being used effectively
- Outcomes are improving
- Interventions should be expanded
This makes evaluation experience relevant to careers in:
- Public health
- NGOs
- Government
- International development
- Monitoring and evaluation
Knowledge Translation and Implementation Science Fellowship
This programme focuses on:
- Knowledge translation
- Health communications
- Development of communication products
Eligibility
Applicants should have a:
- Master’s degree
- Doctoral degree
in a relevant field.
Duration
1 year
Pay
Paid
Application Timing
Varies
Molecular Epidemiology Fellowship
This fellowship is designed to train:
- Laboratory scientists
- Bioinformaticians
to become molecular epidemiologists who can work across:
- Laboratory science
- Epidemiology
Eligibility
- Master’s degree
- Doctoral degree
Duration
1–2 years
Pay
Paid
Application Period
December to April
ORISE CDC Research Opportunities
ORISE CDC Research Opportunities cover a broad range of training levels.
They may be open to:
- Undergraduates
- Graduate students
- Post-master’s candidates
- Doctoral candidates
- Postdoctoral researchers
Duration
Varies.
Pay
Paid
Application Period
Varies.
Public Health Associate Program
The Public Health Associate Program, or PHAP, is a:
two-year field-based training programme
for early-career public-health professionals with little or no public-health work experience.
Eligibility
Applicants must generally be graduates with at least a four-year degree within two years of graduation.
The source also specifies:
- U.S. citizen
- Permanent resident
- U.S. national
Duration
2 years
Pay
Paid
Application Period
The listed 2026 window was:
March 16–March 22, 2026
which is already closed.
Applicants should therefore monitor future cycles rather than treating this specific window as currently open.
Public Health Informatics Fellowship Program
The Public Health Informatics Fellowship Program, or PHIFP, focuses on using:
- Computer science
- Information science
to solve public-health problems.
Eligible Fields
Examples include:
- Public Health
- Computer Science
- Health Informatics
- Related disciplines
Duration
2 years
Pay
Paid
2026 Application Window
Applications are listed as:
September 1 – November 6, 2026.
This makes PHIFP one of the clearest currently timed opportunities on the CDC page.
Global Public Health Fellowship Program
The Public Health Institute/CDC Global Public Health Fellowship provides training in:
- Programme management
- Epidemiology
- Surveillance
- Monitoring and evaluation
- Strategic information
- HIV/AIDS prevention
Fellows may work in CDC offices:
- In the United States
- Abroad
Eligibility
Recent graduates with:
- MPH
- Doctoral degree
Duration
1–3 years
Pay
Paid
Application Period
December to January
SOPHE/CDC Student Fellowship
This programme focuses on injury-prevention practice from the perspective of:
- Health education
- Behavioral sciences
Eligibility
Master’s or doctoral students in:
- Health Education
- Health Promotion
- Behavioral Sciences
- Related fields
Duration
1 year
Pay
Paid
Application Period
February to May
Uganda Public Health Fellowship Laboratory Leadership Program
The CDC page also lists the Uganda Public Health Fellowship Program – Laboratory Leadership Program.
The programme focuses on developing laboratory leaders in Uganda with skills in:
- Laboratory systems
- Infrastructure
- Leadership
- Disease surveillance
- Outbreak investigation
- Quality management
- Policy
- Programme management
- Communication
Eligibility
Master’s degree in:
any laboratory science discipline.
Duration
2 years
Funding Status
Unlike most opportunities on the page, this programme is listed as:
unpaid.
Application Period
August
Are All CDC Fellowships Paid?
No.
Most of the programmes listed on the master’s-level page are described as paid.
However, not every programme is.
For example, the Uganda Laboratory Leadership Program is explicitly listed as:
unpaid.
Applicants should therefore check the funding status of each programme separately.
How Much Do CDC Fellowships Pay?
The CDC page identifies many programmes as paid but does not provide universal salary amounts.
Therefore:
there is no single CDC fellowship salary that applies to all programmes.
Applicants should check each programme’s official page for current compensation details.
Who Should Apply?
Opportunities Feed Assessment
These fellowships may be particularly relevant to candidates with graduate backgrounds in:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Bioinformatics
- Computer Science
- Health Informatics
- Biology
- Microbiology
- Chemistry
- Environmental Science
- Laboratory Science
- Food Science
- Health Communication
- Behavioural Science
Eligibility varies significantly by fellowship.
Opportunities for Data and Tech Graduates
Several fellowships stand out for candidates from data and technology backgrounds.
These include:
- APHL-CDC Bioinformatics Fellowship
- APHL-CDC Informatics Fellowship
- Applied Public Health Informatics Fellowship
- Public Health Informatics Fellowship Program
- Molecular Epidemiology Fellowship
Opportunities Feed Analysis
These programmes are especially noteworthy because they show that CDC-linked public-health careers increasingly need expertise in:
- Software
- Data systems
- Bioinformatics
- Health information technology
- Digital infrastructure
Opportunities for Epidemiology Graduates
Candidates interested in epidemiology may explore:
- CDC/CSTE Applied Epidemiology Fellowship
- Molecular Epidemiology Fellowship
- Global Public Health Fellowship
Opportunities for Laboratory Scientists
Potential options include:
- Biorisk Management Fellowship
- Environmental Health Laboratory Fellowship
- Food Safety Laboratory Fellowship
- Infectious Diseases Laboratory Fellowship
- Newborn Screening Fellowship
- Quality Management Fellowship
Opportunities for Public Health Graduates
Potential pathways include:
- ASPPH/CDC Public Health Fellowship
- CDC Evaluation Fellowship
- Applied Epidemiology Fellowship
- PHAP
- Global Public Health Fellowship
- Knowledge Translation Fellowship
Current and Upcoming Application Periods
Applicants should pay close attention to timing.
Rolling
Several APHL-CDC fellowships use rolling applications with flexible start dates.
Examples include:
- Bioinformatics
- Biorisk Management
- Environmental Health Laboratory
- Food Safety Laboratory
- Infectious Diseases Laboratory
- Informatics
- Quality Management
- Newborn Screening
September–November 2026
Public Health Informatics Fellowship Program
Application period:
September 1 – November 6, 2026.
October–January
CDC/CSTE Applied Epidemiology Fellowship
Application period:
October to January.
November–February
CDC Evaluation Fellowship
Application period:
November to February.
December–February
Applied Public Health Informatics Fellowship
Application period:
December to February.
December–January
Global Public Health Fellowship
Application period:
December to January.
December–April
Molecular Epidemiology Fellowship
Application period:
December to April.
How Competitive Are CDC Fellowships?
Opportunities Feed Assessment
Many CDC-associated fellowships may attract strong applicants because they combine:
- Paid professional experience
- Public-health impact
- Technical training
- Government or partner-institution exposure
However, the CDC page does not provide:
- Applicant numbers
- Acceptance rates
- Interview ratios
- Selection percentages
No numerical competitiveness estimates should be invented.
How to Improve Your Chances
Applicants should tailor their applications to the fellowship.
Demonstrate Technical Alignment
For bioinformatics roles, highlight:
- Genomics
- Programming
- Algorithms
- Data analysis
For informatics roles, highlight:
- Computer science
- Information systems
- Health data
- Technical project work
For epidemiology roles, highlight:
- Research methods
- Statistics
- Surveillance
- Public-health analysis
Show Applied Experience
Academic projects can help demonstrate relevant abilities.
Strong examples may include:
- Thesis research
- Laboratory projects
- Data-analysis projects
- Public-health fieldwork
- Research assistantships
Understand the Programme’s Purpose
Applicants should be able to explain why a particular fellowship fits their career goals.
Avoid submitting a generic application to every programme.
Application Mistakes to Avoid
Candidates should avoid:
- Assuming every CDC fellowship is directly administered by CDC
- Assuming every fellowship has the same eligibility rules
- Assuming every programme is currently open
- Calling every programme paid
- Inventing salary amounts
- Missing degree requirements
- Ignoring citizenship requirements where stated
- Using one generic application for multiple technical fields
Are All These Fellowships Directly Run by CDC?
No.
The CDC page marks some programmes with an asterisk to indicate fellowships offered:
in partnership with CDC.
Applicants should therefore distinguish between:
- CDC-operated programmes
- Partner-administered programmes connected to CDC
Is This Right for You?
| Background | Potential Fit |
|---|---|
| MPH | Strong |
| Master’s in Epidemiology | Strong |
| Master’s in Bioinformatics | Strong |
| Master’s in Computer Science | Strong for informatics programmes |
| Master’s in Data Science | Potential fit for informatics/data programmes |
| Master’s in Environmental Science | Strong for environmental-health pathways |
| Laboratory Science | Strong |
| Recent graduate | Eligible for several programmes |
| Undergraduate only | Eligible for some programmes, not all |
| Need one universal fellowship salary | Not available |
| Want short internship only | Many programmes may be too long |
Career Paths These Fellowships Could Support
Opportunities Feed Career Guide
Experience from CDC-associated fellowships may be relevant to careers such as:
- Epidemiologist
- Public Health Analyst
- Bioinformatics Scientist
- Health Informatics Specialist
- Data Scientist
- Laboratory Scientist
- Evaluation Specialist
- Public Health Programme Analyst
- Environmental Health Scientist
- Infectious Disease Specialist
- Health Communications Specialist
- Global Health Professional
Completion does not guarantee employment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are CDC master’s-level fellowships?
They are full-time training and fellowship opportunities for people with, or soon completing, graduate degrees.
How long are they?
Many last one or two years.
Are they paid?
Most programmes listed are paid, but not all.
Is there one salary?
No. The CDC page does not provide one universal compensation amount.
Are applications open now?
Some are rolling, and some have 2026 application windows.
Which fellowship has a current 2026 window?
The Public Health Informatics Fellowship Program lists applications from September 1 to November 6, 2026.
Are there bioinformatics fellowships?
Yes.
Are there data and informatics fellowships?
Yes.
Are there epidemiology fellowships?
Yes.
Are there laboratory fellowships?
Yes.
Are there environmental health fellowships?
Yes.
Can computer science graduates apply?
Some programmes specifically list Computer Science or related fields.
Can recent graduates apply?
Several fellowships explicitly accept recent graduates.
Do all programmes require a master’s degree?
No. Some accept bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degrees, while others are specifically designed for graduate-level candidates.
Are there global-health opportunities?
Yes. The Global Public Health Fellowship includes work in CDC offices in the U.S. and abroad.
Is the Uganda Laboratory Leadership Program paid?
No. It is listed as unpaid.
Are all opportunities directly run by CDC?
No. Some are offered in partnership with CDC.
Opportunities Feed Verdict
The CDC Paid Fellowships 2026–2027 landscape is especially strong for candidates who want long-term, applied public-health training rather than a short internship.
Many programmes provide one to two years of paid experience in areas ranging from epidemiology and laboratory science to bioinformatics, public-health informatics and evaluation.
For technology-focused candidates, the strongest opportunities include the:
- APHL-CDC Bioinformatics Fellowship
- APHL-CDC Informatics Fellowship
- Applied Public Health Informatics Fellowship
- Public Health Informatics Fellowship Program
The PHIFP programme is particularly timely because its application window runs from September 1 to November 6, 2026.
For epidemiology candidates, the Applied Epidemiology Fellowship and Molecular Epidemiology Fellowship provide clearer discipline-specific pathways.
Applicants should pay close attention to individual eligibility rules because degree level, field of study, citizenship requirements, application periods and funding status vary substantially by programme.
The most effective strategy is therefore not to search for a generic “CDC fellowship,” but to identify the fellowship that most closely matches your academic background and technical skills.
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