Apply to be a Fellow

Applicants must have a masters or doctoral degree in public health or an allied discipline prior to the start date of the appointment (July 1, 2027 for the 2027-2029 cohort of fellows).

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States, as the Fellowship does not provide visa sponsorships (new or transfers).

Term of Appointment for the 2027-2029 Cohort of Fellows: July 1, 2027-June 30, 2029

Salary: $58,000

Leave & Benefits:

• 176 hours of vacation/year, 96 hours of sick leave/year, and 8 hours of pay for “observed” legal holidays (to note, fellows do not have floating holiday time).
• See Benefits Quick Guide that overviews fellow benefit packages (including health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, spending accounts, retirement plans, etc.).
• Fellows are eligible for UW’s paid parental leave. Fellows are eligible under the ‘Post Degree Training appointees holding the position of Research Intern’.
• Professional Development Funds: $1,800/year.

Applications for the 2027-2029 cohort open October 2026 and close January 15, 2027. Our selection committee will review applications during the end of January and beginning of February, and candidates can expect to hear from us in February about the status of your application.

Interviews are typically conducted in February. Interviews are conducted over Zoom with the selection committee. Applicants who are selected for an interview will receive additional instructions prior to the interview.

Typically offers are given and the cohort is finalized around early March.

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. As public health grows and evolves in Wisconsin, we are always adding new placement sites advancing essential 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.

For those interested in applying to our next cohort of fellows, we strongly encourage attending an information session to learn more about the program and have the opportunity to ask questions. Information sessions for the 2027-2029 cohort will be posted here in October 2026.

You will apply via a Qualtrics application, which will be available starting in October 2026.

The application requires:

• Applicant CV or Resume (max of 3 pages)
• Unofficial transcripts from graduate program(s)
• Essay 1: Statement of Interest
  Please describe the academic, professional, and volunteer experiences that qualify you for this service-learning Fellowship Program. Include in this statement a description of what you would like to accomplish over the two-year term of the program and how this relates to your overall career goals. Describe why you are interested in the Fellowship Program and comment on your interest in working as a public health professional in Wisconsin. Statement should not exceed 750 words.

• Essay 2:
  Many inequities exist at the intersection between health outcomes and historical, societal, economic, or other systemic factors. Choose a broader issue or policy that impacts health outcomes where you believe change is needed to advance health equity. Discuss the role you hope to play as a public health leader in addressing this issue. Essay should not exceed 250 words.

• Two letters of recommendation submitted by the letter-writers themselves.
  To note: please send your letter writers this information directly – they will submit letters on your behalf via this separate form. Letter writers are encouraged to describe the candidate’s public health experiences, strengths that they would bring to a service and training environment, as well as growth areas the candidate could explore in the program.