Africa CDC Epidemiology Track Fellowship Programme 2025 for Public Health Professionals (Fully Funded)
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) is now accepting applications for the 2025 Epidemiology Track Fellowship Programme, a fully funded, high-impact initiative designed to strengthen the continent’s public health workforce. This program is part of the Africa Epidemic Service (AES), which includes three tracks: Epidemiology, Laboratory Leadership, and Public Health Informatics (PHI).
The Epidemiology Track Fellowship offers African public health professionals a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience and advanced training in field epidemiology and outbreak response. The fellowship will help build a robust pipeline of skilled epidemiologists equipped to tackle Africa’s most pressing health challenges.
This prestigious two-year program combines 80% field-based, practical training with 20% didactic learning delivered through a mix of in-person and virtual sessions. Fellows will be embedded in key health institutions across the continent—such as Ministries of Health, National Public Health Institutes, and Africa CDC Headquarters—to ensure real-world learning and professional integration. Training will be offered in both English and French, and all successful participants will receive a certificate of completion.
Program Overview
The Africa CDC Epidemiology Track Fellowship is part of the broader Africa CDC Digital Transformation Strategy and aligns with the Framework for Workforce Development. It is designed to:
- Strengthen public health leadership and technical capacity.
- Foster a network of skilled epidemiologists across Africa.
- Enhance national and regional epidemic preparedness and response.
- Promote gender equity, inclusivity, and geographic diversity.
Program Start Date: June 2025
Number of Fellows: 20
Training Duration: Two years
Eligibility Criteria
The program is open to qualified public health professionals across all African Union Member States. Applicants must demonstrate a strong foundation in public health, data science, or a related discipline, with a passion for digital transformation in healthcare.
Eligible candidates must:
- Hold at least a Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree in a health-related field or in Computer Science, Data Science, or Information and Technology Sciences.
- Have a minimum of:
- 3 years of experience (if applying with a Master’s degree), or
- 5 years of experience (if applying with a Bachelor’s degree).
- Show evidence of cross-disciplinary expertise:
- If the primary degree is health-related, candidates must have experience in computer science, data science, or health-related information systems.
- If the primary degree is in computer science or related disciplines, candidates should have experience in health informatics, public health, biostatistics, or epidemiology.
- Be currently employed by or affiliated with Ministries of Health, National Public Health Institutes, or other relevant public/private sector organizations.
- Demonstrate commitment to returning to their home country after the fellowship and applying the acquired skills.
The fellowship places high priority on diversity, inclusivity, and gender equity, ensuring balanced representation across the African continent.
Fellowship Benefits
This is a fully funded program. Africa CDC will cover all associated costs for selected Fellows, including:
- Round-trip airfare and in-country transportation
- Lodging and daily stipends
- Health insurance coverage
- Learning and development materials
- Technology hardware and software
- Internet connectivity for virtual learning components
Fellows will receive comprehensive support to ensure they can fully participate in all aspects of the program, whether virtual or in-person.
Application Process
All applications must be submitted via the official online application portal. Incomplete submissions will not be considered. Applicants must prepare and upload the following required documents:
- Valid national passport from an African Union Member State
- Letter of support from a government institution, granting permission to participate in the two-year fellowship with guaranteed reinstatement
- Two letters of recommendation from reputable professional referees
- Official degree certificates and transcripts for Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees (student copies are accepted for initial application; official versions will be required upon selection)
- Updated resume/CV
- Statement of Purpose (maximum 1,500 words) outlining:
- Educational and professional background
- Motivation for applying
- Alignment of the fellowship with career goals
- Expected impact on public health systems in their home country
All application materials must be submitted through the designated platform before the deadline.
Application Deadline: May 21, 2025
How to Apply
To apply and for complete program details, visit the Official Webpage of the Africa CDC Epidemiology Track Fellowship Programme.
This program offers a rare opportunity to contribute directly to strengthening Africa’s health security while developing your leadership in epidemiology. Are you ready to make an impact?
