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. Visa sponsorship, including sponsorship transfers, is not available for this Fellowship. Individuals with independent employment authorization, such as F-1 OPT or STEM OPT, may be eligible to participate.

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 15 2026 and close January 10, 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 application 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 also 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.

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. Virtual Zoom information sessions for the 2027-2029 cohort will be held:

• Wednesday November 18th 2026 from 9:00am – 10:00am Central Time. Register for the zoom meeting here.
• Tuesday December 8th 2026 from 4:00pm – 5:00pm Central Time. Register for the zoom meeting here.

The application requires:

• Applicant CV or Resume (max of 3 pages)
• Transcripts from graduate program(s), unofficial are accepted.
• 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.
• The application includes a series of questions about placement site interests and preferences to help us understand the range of settings in which you would be excited to learn and contribute. This will include your interest in urban, rural, and regional placement sites, geographic considerations, and public health settings and topics. You do not need to have a specific area of public health in mind, and we welcome applicants who are open to a range of opportunities and settings.
• Lastly, you will provide the names and email addresses of your two letter writers in your application. You will not upload letters of recommendation yourself. Instead, your letter writers will submit their letters directly through a separate Qualtrics form.
  Please share this Qualtrics form with each of your letter writers and ask them to submit their letters by January 10 2027, the same deadline as your application. We encourage you to contact your letter writers well in advance to ensure all materials are received by the deadline and can be reviewed by the selection committee. Letter writers are encouraged to describe your public health experiences, the strengths that you would bring to a service and training environment, and areas for continued growth and learning you could explore in the fellowship.