At a glance
- Students learn applied epidemiology through training, project assignments, and mentorship from public health experts.
- Applicants are assigned a host site, rotation dates, and provided details on in processing, program requirements, and mandatory training dates.
Opportunities & 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.
What students learn
EEP student learn and practice applied epidemiology alongside CDC subject matter experts and Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) officers. Students also participate in training designed for medical and veterinary students interested in a future public health career. Training sessions focus on learning applied epidemiology, skills in data analysis and interpretation, and making connections with CDC staff.
Project assignments vary by topic and host site. Project assignments typically involve helping public health experts investigate public health problems such as infectious disease outbreaks, natural disasters, chronic diseases, and poor access to healthcare. They may involve:
- Conducting surveillance of disease, injury, or other health conditions.
- Assisting CDC's disease detectives and other public health professionals in the field to to investigate disease outbreaks.
- Analyzing health data to identify new risk factors for disease.
- Contributing to CDC publications and guidelines of major public health importance.
How students serve
Applicants are selected and enrolled in the program the summer before their rotation is scheduled to start. Applicants are assigned a host site, rotation dates, and provided details on in processing, program requirements, and mandatory training dates.
Rotations start the following January or March, depending on the assigned rotation dates.
All EEP students attend a 3-day orientation at CDC headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia at the start of their rotation. Training sessions focus on learning applied epidemiology, skills in data analysis and interpretation, and making connections with CDC staff. Costs associated with orientation are covered by CDC for students placed in non-Atlanta sites.
Students then go to their host sites to complete their project assignments. Project assignments are determined in advance by the host site supervisor and the students. Students work in a wide range of public health topic areas such as infectious diseases, chronic diseases, injury prevention, environmental health, and occupational health.
Students attend weekly trainings offered by the EEP program. Trainings focus on skill development like scientific writing, making clear presentations, and collaborating with other public health professionals.
After the program, through a partnership with the CDC Foundation, EEP alumni are eligible for monetary awards to attend the annual Epidemic Intelligence Service conference. Visit the awards page to learn more about the awardees and criteria for the CDC-Hubert Global Health Award and the Pappaioanou Veterinary Public Health and Applied Epidemiology Award.