Eligibility

I am not a U.S. Citizen. Can I still apply?

This fellowship is open only to U.S. citizens and permanent U.S. residents who hold valid green cards.

I am scheduled to begin my third year of medical or veterinary school this summer/fall. Am I eligible to apply for this fellowship?

Yes. The fellowship opportunity is open to current third- and fourth-year medical or veterinary students as well as upcoming third-year medical or veterinary students.

I am currently a third-year/rising fourth-year student, but I am taking this coming year off from school to participate in various training programs.  Am I still eligible to apply?

Yes. You are eligible.

I am earning a degree solely in public health or nursing.  Am I eligible to apply?

No. This program is open only to medical or veterinary students.  However, students who are currently participating in a concurrent dual degree program (such as earning a joint M.D./M.P.H. degree) ARE eligible for this program.

I am a third-year pre-med student who has not yet earned my Bachelor’s degree.  Am I eligible to apply?

No. Applicants already must have earned a Bachelor’s degree AND be enrolled in medical or veterinary school to be eligible.

I recently graduated from medical or veterinary school.  Am I still eligible?

Students who have graduated either on or prior to the fellowship application deadline or will graduate during the fellowship are not eligible. Students must be enrolled during the entire fellowship period.

I am starting my second year of medical/veterinary school.  Can I apply for the fellowship this year and defer my participation until I begin my third year of school?

No.  You must be eligible to participate when you apply.  Fellowship participation cannot be deferred until the next program year when you would become eligible.

Application

Can my letters of recommendation be submitted separately from the other application materials?

No.  All application materials must be submitted in one complete package.

Question 15 on the application asks if I would like to receive the stipend support of $3,000.  Why do you ask this?

Limited funding is available to provide stipends to fellows who are chosen based on their outstanding merit and excellence as demonstrated in their applications. After selecting these fellows and if space within the program permits, the selection committee may identify additional candidates who could be accepted into the fellowship program if they are willing to cover their own expenses rather than receive a stipend. If you would like to be considered for this type of unpaid fellowship, you would indicate that in this section.

Question 13 asks me to rank the opportunities in order of my preference.  Do I also need to rank those opportunities for which I am not qualified or not interested?

You should rank only the opportunities that interest you and for which you are qualified. Every effort is made to give selected fellows their first preference, but you are not guaranteed to be assigned to your first choice. You should rank at least your top two preferences.

Some of the opportunities say “Dates to be Determined."  What does that mean?

Fellowship opportunities that indicate the dates are to be determined may offer flexible scheduling. Once the student has been accepted, the exact dates of the fellowship will be decided by the fellow and his or her mentor. 

Some of the opportunities list timeframes. Are these flexible?

Students applying for these fellowships should expect to participate in the program during the dates listed. Upon acceptance into the fellowship program, the mentor and fellow will determine the exact dates.

How many students apply for this fellowship?

The number of applicants varies from year to year, but typically 30 to 60 students apply annually.

I just missed the deadline to apply for this year’s program.  Can I apply now for next year’s program? 

No.  You must apply during the application period.  The fellowship application period typically runs from February 1 (when the CDC Foundation announces the opportunities that will be available to applicants)  through February 28 annually. 

I applied for this fellowship last spring.  Will you automatically reconsider my application for this year’s program this spring?

No.  You must reapply annually for consideration.