The Wisconsin Population Health Service Fellowship Program is a two year service and training program designed for early career public health professionals. Fellows are post-graduate public health professionals, and come to the program with a graduate degree in public health or an allied discipline prior to the start of their fellowship. The WI Population Health Service Fellowship Program is housed within University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, 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 non-profits and community based organizations.
Placements are two years in duration. A matching process is used to find the best fit between selected fellows’ professional development goals and placement sites’ program needs. Each fellow has a preceptor (or preceptors) who serve as supervisors and mentors at their placement site, guiding both the day-to-day work as well as providing guidance and mentorship throughout their fellowship. Those interested in serving as preceptors should have ability and interest in serving as a supervisor and mentor, and should have knowledge and experience in public health. More information can be found below on timeline and expectations for hosting a fellow.
Questions
Contact pophealthfellowship@wisc.edu for more information
Application Information
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Timeline (2026-2028 cycle)
Preceptor applications will be open from October 31, 2025 to January 20, 2026.
Fellow & placement matching period: February – March 2026
Fellowship appointment term: July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2028
Preceptor & Placement Site Responsibilities
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.
How are fellows matched to placement sites?
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.
How to Apply
Apply via a Qualtrics application
A word document of the application is provided here for your reference.