Apply to Host a Fellow

The Wisconsin Population Health Service Fellowship Program is a two-year service and training program designed for early-career public health professionals. Fellows enter the program with a graduate degree in public health or an allied discipline and are placed in community, nonprofit, governmental, or health-service organizations across Wisconsin, where they work to address some of the state’s most pressing public health challenges. The Wisconsin Population Health Service Fellowship Program is housed within the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, however fellows are placed at public health agencies across the state. Fellows have been placed at more than 50 different organizations – including local and tribal health departments, state governmental public health, as well as nonprofits and community based organizations.

The program uses a matching process to align fellows’ professional development goals and interests with placement sites’ program needs. Each fellow has a preceptor, or preceptors, who serve as supervisors and mentors at their placement site, providing guidance on both their day-to-day work and their development throughout the fellowship. Prospective preceptors should have an interest in supporting the growth and development of an early-career public health professional, along with knowledge and experience in public health. More information on the timeline and expectations for hosting a fellow can be found below.

Questions

Contact pophealthfellowship@wisc.edu for more information

Application Information

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Preceptor applications will be open from October 2026 to January 2027.
Fellow & placement matching period: February – March 2027
Fellowship appointment term: July 1, 2027 – June 30, 2029

Preceptor responsibilities include:

  • Provide ongoing supervision and mentoring to the fellow; this entails time investment in order to provide supervision, mentorship, and career development resources and support, in addition to discussing work progress and current projects
  • Facilitate successful completion of Core Activities of Learning (CALs).
  • Participate in fellow/preceptor progress review meetings, Fellowship learning community meetings, and end-of-year overall program evaluation.
  • Facilitate networking with appropriate staff and external partners.
  • Advise and assist fellows in planning for post-fellowship career opportunities.

Placement site responsibilities include:

  • Provide the fellow with a workspace and equipment comparable to that provided to other professional staff within the organization (this includes a computer and any other necessary equipment).
  • Provide fellow’s travel expenses that are related directly to job function within the organization.

We conduct a matching process that takes into account both fellow and placement site needs and goals. Fellows and placement sites both apply to be a part of the Fellowship Program. In the fellow interview process, we gather information about what would make a successful placement site match (applicants’ career goals, topic area interests, setting type, geographic location, etc.) which we use to identify and match to potential placement sites. If matched, fellow applicants are offered a fellowship position at a particular local, state, or community-based organization in Wisconsin where they would be placed for their two years in the program.

Fellows have been placed at more than 50 different public health agencies across the state – including local and tribal health departments, state governmental public health, as well as non-profits and community based organizations. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Wood County Health Department, Eau Claire City-County Health Department, City of Milwaukee Health Department, Public Health Madison & Dane County Health Department are core placement sites that have hosted fellows consistency over the years. The program is always adding new placement sites advancing public health efforts across the state. In addition, fellows can be dual-placed at two placement sites, bridging governmental and community-based organizations, or local and state health departments.