Apply to Host an EEP Student

At a glance

CDC's Epidemiology Elective Program (EEP) is a short-term experiential, service-learning rotation in applied epidemiology, public health, and global health for medical and veterinary students. Becoming a host site allows you to mentor future public health clinicians and/or practitioners.

    Student swinging a pick axe on a farm

    Opportunities and Updates

    Fellowship Application

    Applications for 2026 rotations will be open from January 31, 2025 to March 31, 2025.

    Host Site Application

    Applications for 2026 rotations will be open from January 31, 2025 to April 30, 2025.

    Contact us at epielective@cdc.gov.

    Responsibilities

    During the 6- or 8-week rotation, host sites are responsible for supervision, mentorship, and day-to-day experiences with applied epidemiology, public health, or global health through projects and assignments. In previous years, students have collected and analyzed health data, assisted with outbreak investigations, evaluated intervention strategies, conducted literature reviews, and drafted reports.

    Hear from students about their past host site work and fellowship experiences on the Fellows' Stories page.

    Student clinicians:

    • are available for 6- or 8-weeks during set rotation period in January and March.
    • are assigned based on the needs and availability of the requesting host site and the career goals and interests of the student.
    • can participate in one of three work status options:
      • in person at least 1 day with up to 4 days per week teleworking. Students must stay within at least 50 miles from the assigned host site office during the rotation period.
      • remotely from personal worksite (e.g., home office) each day from anywhere within the United States.
      • hybrid with approximately 50% of the time (e.g., 3 or 4 consecutive weeks) in person at their host site office. Student may be granted a telework option for up to 3 days per week.
    • are onboarded to CDC by the EEP program and have access to the CDC network.
    • are available at no cost to the host site
    • are provided with an in-person orientation training at CDC headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia and a variety of in person and virtual training opportunities throughout each rotation period.
    • Be at a CDC site, a state, Tribal, local, or territorial health department; or other federal site or agency (e.g., National Park Service, Indian Health Service, Administration for Children and Families)

    Benefits of Hosting an EEP Student

    Through this public health service, student clinicians gain a public health perspective that influences their career choices and practice. The program was initiated in 1975 and has more than 2,100 graduates. Approximately 12% of EEP graduates joined CDC's Epidemic Intelligence Service and more than 60% go on to begin public health careers after EEP.

    Key dates

    January 31, 2025
    Host site application period opens
    April 30, 2025
    Host site application period closes (11:59 p.m. ET)
    June 2025
    EEP program notifies host site applicants of assigned student for host site approval
    By June 27, 2025
    Students are notified of assignment
    September 30, 2025
    Waitlist closes for unassigned students
    October 2025
    Supervisor orientation (Optional)