{"id":85643,"date":"2025-11-16T17:48:05","date_gmt":"2025-11-16T22:48:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/scholarblogs.emory.edu\/epi\/?p=85643"},"modified":"2025-11-16T17:48:08","modified_gmt":"2025-11-16T22:48:08","slug":"acing-the-fellowship-application-process","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/scholarblogs.emory.edu\/epi\/prospective\/acing-the-fellowship-application-process","title":{"rendered":"Acing the Fellowship Application Process"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"52\" data-end=\"514\">Applying for fellowships can feel like a full-time job\u2014especially when you&#8217;re juggling coursework, research, and a thesis or dissertation. But landing the right fellowship can open doors to incredible career opportunities, mentorship, and hands-on experience in your field. Whether you&#8217;re eyeing a public health agency, a research institute, or a global health nonprofit, these tips will help you navigate the process and put your best foot forward.<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"516\" data-end=\"3122\">\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"516\" data-end=\"900\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"518\" data-end=\"900\"><strong data-start=\"518\" data-end=\"550\">Start Early &amp; Stay Organized<\/strong> \u2013 Fellowship applications aren\u2019t something you want to throw together at the last minute. Many require personal statements, writing samples, and multiple recommendation letters\u2014things that take time to craft (and time for your recommenders to write!). Create a spreadsheet with deadlines and required materials so nothing falls through the cracks.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"902\" data-end=\"1248\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"904\" data-end=\"1248\"><strong data-start=\"904\" data-end=\"931\">Tailor Your Application<\/strong> \u2013 A one-size-fits-all approach won\u2019t cut it. Each fellowship has its own priorities and mission, so tweak your resume, cover letter, and essays to reflect what they\u2019re looking for. Highlight the skills and experiences that make you a perfect fit, whether that\u2019s data analysis, community engagement, or policy work.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"1250\" data-end=\"1611\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1252\" data-end=\"1611\"><strong data-start=\"1252\" data-end=\"1277\">Leverage Your Network<\/strong> \u2013 If you know someone who\u2019s been through a fellowship program you\u2019re interested in, reach out! Alumni, faculty, and current fellows can provide inside info on what the selection committee values, what the interview process is like, and how to craft a standout application. A well-placed email or LinkedIn message can go a long way.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"1613\" data-end=\"2003\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1615\" data-end=\"2003\"><strong data-start=\"1615\" data-end=\"1655\">Showcase Impact, Not Just Experience<\/strong> \u2013 It\u2019s not just about what you\u2019ve done\u2014it\u2019s about the difference you\u2019ve made. Instead of simply listing job duties, frame your experiences in terms of outcomes. Did your research inform a policy change? Did your data analysis lead to a new intervention? Use concrete examples and, if possible, numbers to show the real-world impact of your work.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"2005\" data-end=\"2432\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"2007\" data-end=\"2432\"><strong data-start=\"2007\" data-end=\"2033\">Prepare for Interviews<\/strong> \u2013 If you get an interview, congratulations! Now\u2019s the time to practice talking about your research, your skills, and why you&#8217;re a great fit. Many fellowships look for strong communicators who can explain their work clearly, so practice with friends, mentors, or even in front of a mirror. Be ready for behavioral questions, like \u201cTell me about a time you faced a challenge in a research project.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"2434\" data-end=\"2805\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"2436\" data-end=\"2805\"><strong data-start=\"2436\" data-end=\"2465\">Consider Multiple Options<\/strong> \u2013 Don\u2019t put all your eggs in one basket. There are fellowships in government (like CDC EIS or ORISE), academia, nonprofits, and even the private sector. Each has its own perks, from hands-on policy experience to deep research opportunities. Applying to a mix of programs increases your chances of landing one that fits your career goals.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"2807\" data-end=\"3122\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"2809\" data-end=\"3122\"><strong data-start=\"2809\" data-end=\"2837\">Follow Up &amp; Stay Engaged<\/strong> \u2013 After submitting your application or completing an interview, send a quick thank-you email to the people you spoke with. If you don\u2019t get the fellowship, don\u2019t burn bridges\u2014staying in touch with program coordinators or former fellows can lead to other opportunities down the road.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"3124\" data-end=\"3305\">Fellowship applications can be daunting, but with a solid strategy and a little persistence, you can land an opportunity that propels your career forward. Good luck\u2014you\u2019ve got this!<\/p>\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Applying for fellowships can feel like a full-time job\u2014especially when you&#8217;re juggling coursework, research, and a thesis or dissertation. But landing the right fellowship can open doors to incredible career opportunities, mentorship, and hands-on experience in your field. Whether you&#8217;re eyeing a public health agency, a research institute, or a global health nonprofit, these tips&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9187,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-85643","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-prospective"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pamvW4-mhl","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":27277,"url":"https:\/\/scholarblogs.emory.edu\/epi\/student-opportunities\/health-outcomes-and-economics-research-fellowship-thomas-jefferson-university","url_meta":{"origin":85643,"position":0},"title":"Health Outcomes and Economics Research Fellowship, Thomas Jefferson University","author":"Emma Butturini","date":"November 15, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Overview & Purpose Thomas Jefferson University has offered industry-sponsored fellowships in health economics and outcomes research (HEOR) since 1994. The fellowships are administered through the Jefferson College of Population Health (JCPH), which is the nation's first college of population health in the country. The goal of the fellowship program is\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Post-Grad&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Post-Grad","link":"https:\/\/scholarblogs.emory.edu\/epi\/category\/post-grad"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":2761,"url":"https:\/\/scholarblogs.emory.edu\/epi\/alumni\/cdc-data-management-fellowship","url_meta":{"origin":85643,"position":1},"title":"CDC Data Management Fellowship, Division of Scientific Education and Professional Development (DSEPD)","author":"Lillian","date":"August 21, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"A research opportunity is currently available in the Division of Scientific Education and Professional Development (DSEPD), Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology and Laboratory Services (CSELS) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) located in Atlanta, Georgia. DSEPD\u2019s mission is to improve health outcomes through a competent, sustainable, and empowered\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Alumni&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Alumni","link":"https:\/\/scholarblogs.emory.edu\/epi\/category\/alumni"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":3239,"url":"https:\/\/scholarblogs.emory.edu\/epi\/student-opportunities\/heor-fellowship-webinar","url_meta":{"origin":85643,"position":2},"title":"HEOR Fellowship Webinar","author":"Lillian","date":"October 11, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Thomas Jefferson University has offered industry-sponsored Fellowships in health economics and outcomes research (HEOR) since 1994. The Fellowships are administered through the Jefferson College of Population Health (JCPH), which is the nation's first college of population health. During this webinar, current Fellows from Celgene, Ethicon, Novartis and Teva will discuss\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;GLEPI&quot;","block_context":{"text":"GLEPI","link":"https:\/\/scholarblogs.emory.edu\/epi\/category\/glepi"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":68816,"url":"https:\/\/scholarblogs.emory.edu\/epi\/student-opportunities\/vecd-fogarty-global-health-fellowship","url_meta":{"origin":85643,"position":3},"title":"VECD Fogarty Global Health Fellowship","author":"Alex Whicker","date":"August 22, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Do you have a postdoc, fellow, resident, or graduate, medical, or professional student who wants to build a career in global health research? A year of research training in a low- or middle-income country (LMIC) can be foundational for such a career. The application portal is now open for the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Student Opportunities&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Student Opportunities","link":"https:\/\/scholarblogs.emory.edu\/epi\/category\/student-opportunities"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":86234,"url":"https:\/\/scholarblogs.emory.edu\/epi\/student-opportunities\/emerging-infectious-diseases-research-fellowship-ferguson-rise","url_meta":{"origin":85643,"position":4},"title":"Emerging Infectious Diseases Research Fellowship, Ferguson RISE","author":"Chloe Wolma","date":"January 18, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"The Dr. James A. Ferguson Emerging Infectious Diseases Research Fellowship RISE (Ferguson RISE) The Ferguson RISE Fellowship Program is a CDC-funded initiative designed to: Support public health research and professional development in infectious diseases with a focus on\u00a0infectious disease detection\u00a0and\u00a0wastewater surveillance. Increase knowledge and interest in public health research careers,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Student Opportunities&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Student Opportunities","link":"https:\/\/scholarblogs.emory.edu\/epi\/category\/student-opportunities"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scholarblogs.emory.edu\/epi\/files\/2024\/10\/Screenshot-2024-10-03-at-6.08.28%E2%80%AFPM.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scholarblogs.emory.edu\/epi\/files\/2024\/10\/Screenshot-2024-10-03-at-6.08.28%E2%80%AFPM.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scholarblogs.emory.edu\/epi\/files\/2024\/10\/Screenshot-2024-10-03-at-6.08.28%E2%80%AFPM.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":86140,"url":"https:\/\/scholarblogs.emory.edu\/epi\/alumni\/fellowship-applications-ferguson-rise","url_meta":{"origin":85643,"position":5},"title":"Fellowship Applications, Ferguson RISE","author":"Chloe Wolma","date":"November 16, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"The Dr. James A. Ferguson Emerging Infectious Diseases Research Fellowship RISE (Ferguson RISE) The Ferguson RISE Fellowship Program is a CDC funded initiative designed to: Support public health research and professional development in infectious diseases with a focus on\u00a0infectious disease detection\u00a0and\u00a0wastewater surveillance. Increase knowledge and interest in public health research\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Alumni&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Alumni","link":"https:\/\/scholarblogs.emory.edu\/epi\/category\/alumni"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scholarblogs.emory.edu\/epi\/files\/2024\/10\/Screenshot-2024-10-03-at-6.08.28%E2%80%AFPM.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scholarblogs.emory.edu\/epi\/files\/2024\/10\/Screenshot-2024-10-03-at-6.08.28%E2%80%AFPM.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/scholarblogs.emory.edu\/epi\/files\/2024\/10\/Screenshot-2024-10-03-at-6.08.28%E2%80%AFPM.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/scholarblogs.emory.edu\/epi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85643","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/scholarblogs.emory.edu\/epi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/scholarblogs.emory.edu\/epi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scholarblogs.emory.edu\/epi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9187"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scholarblogs.emory.edu\/epi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=85643"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/scholarblogs.emory.edu\/epi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85643\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":85644,"href":"https:\/\/scholarblogs.emory.edu\/epi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85643\/revisions\/85644"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/scholarblogs.emory.edu\/epi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=85643"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scholarblogs.emory.edu\/epi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=85643"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scholarblogs.emory.edu\/epi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=85643"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}