Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs for the Applicant

I cannot find a testing site for the TOEFL or GRE in my country, what do I do?

We recognize that some applicants may need to travel to other cities in their country, or in rare cases, to other countries to have access to a testing site. We regret the amount of travel that might be required, but can make no exceptions to the testing policy. We do suggest, however, that potential applications contact the testing organizations directly to find the closest site to them.

I do not have a baccalaureate, are other types of education sufficient?

In some countries the equivalent to a 4-year bachelor’s degree is called something different such as an Honors degree (common in countries that follow the British education system) or a License (common in countries that follow the French education system). As long as the degree is equivalent to a baccalaureate degree it meets the education requirement. Two-year degrees (called Associate Degrees in the United States) or trade/skill school certificates are not sufficient to meet the education requirement for this fellowship. 

I am married, may my family accompany me?

The fellowship stipend is not intended or sufficient to house and feed a spouse and/or family. If a successful candidate would like to bring his/her family we do not prohibit it but cannot provide any monetary resources for travel or living expenses.

What types of projects are appropriate for the research project with the CDC?

Any rigorous research project that will have an immediate, practical application in the candidate’s home country and deals with a critical public health or humanitarian emergencies need is an appropriate project. We expect that the project scope will be determined by the particular needs of the applicant’s country and the priorities of the applicant’s nominating agency/organization. The CDC will work with fellows to further develop the research project.

What can I expect during my year fellowship?

This is a very rigorous year. Most MPH programs at Emory University are completed in two years. In order to be able to complete the requirements in one year, the course load is heavy and the expectations of the fellows are high. There is significant support from both Emory University and CDC for our fellows but it should be expected that there will be little free time and the academic and applied research requirements are significant.

How fluent should my English be?

All classes are taught in English and all course materials are in English as well. It is essential that our fellows are fully conversant in English and can both read and write English very well.

What does basic computer skills mean?

At a minimum a successful candidate should be proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint and Excel) as well as have good Internet research skills.

Can I get more information about the CDC branch I will be working with?

The Emergency Recovery and Response Branch (ERRB) is responsible for implementing and coordinating the CDC’s response to complex humanitarian emergencies, as requested by U.S. government and United Nations agencies and non-governmental organizations. Our mission is to improve the health of populations affected by complex humanitarian emergencies such as war, famine, civil strife, disaster, genocide, drought and displacement. We are a technical group working in diverse public health areas.  We work with the fellows as peers and value the exchange of information that the program brings.

FAQs for the Nominating Organization

How do I know the qualifications that make a good candidate for the fellowship?

A good candidate will have a strong work ethic and a dedication to improving the quality of life in his/her country.

Additionally, a successful candidate should have:

  • Several years field experience working in conflict or post conflict, resource poor settings.
  • An excellent grasp of spoken and written English.
  • A strong interest in the proposed research project and able to be a leader in its implementation and management when s/he returns.
  • Ability to train others in the skills s/he learned and apply them to projects in addition to the proposed research project.

How much contact will I have with my employee if selected as a fellow?

While your employee will be in another country and busy with a rigorous academic schedule, you will probably have more contact with him/her than you might expect. The fellow will be in regular contact with his/her sponsoring agencies as the research project develops. Beyond the collaboration on the research project, it is up to the fellow’s supervisor how much regular contact s/he wants.

What is expected of my organization when our fellow returns?

Any organization whose nomination is accepted into the program is expected to implement the research project as soon as possible.

What are the costs associated with the application and who pays for them?

The CDC does not charge an application fee. There are, however, fees to take both the TEOFL and the GRE. The costs vary country to country but are somewhere around $400 USD excluding travel costs. It is up to the nominating organization how they want to address the cost of testing, but neither the CDC nor Emory University can assist in underwriting them.

What are the costs associated with the fellowship program and who pays for them?

The CDC and Rollins School of Public Health underwrite the entire costs of the fellowship. The total cost of the program is estimated at more than $72,000. The cost breakdown is:

Tuition: $52,800

Living Expenses: $17,000* (based on 10 mos.)

Travel Expenses: $3,000*

Health Insurance: $2,360*

*(based 2011 fees)