At a glance
The Ferguson Fellowship provides research and professional development opportunities for graduate students and post-graduates to gain meaningful public health research experiences, focused on infectious diseases and health disparities.
History
Dr. James A. Ferguson, an alumnus of Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine was passionate about providing opportunities for medical and veterinary students and encouraged students to explore public health career options in infectious disease research.
In 1989, Dr. Ferguson played an instrumental role in the establishment of the National Center for Infectious Diseases Summer Research Fellowship Program. Over the years, the program expanded to include additional schools and disciplines including pharmacy, dentistry, public health, and social sciences.
Dr. Ferguson's legacy continues 35 years later, through the Dr. James A. Ferguson Emerging Infectious Diseases Graduate Fellowship Program. CDC's Office of Health Equity (OHE) administers the Dr. James A. Ferguson Emerging Infectious Diseases Fellowship with support from the Rapid Response Research and Surveillance Branch, Division of Infectious Disease Readiness and Innovation (DIDRI), National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID).
Research
Research areas include:
- Infectious Diseases
- Laboratory Science
- Epidemiology
- Health Disparities
- Advanced Molecular Detection
- Wastewater Surveillance
- Emergency Preparedness
Fellow Eligibility
To be eligible for the Ferguson Fellowship, a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is preferred, and participants must commit to engaging in all program activities for the full fellowship duration. Eligibility is limited to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or permanent residents. Depending on the track selected, the following additional requirements apply:
- Summer Track - Applicants must be full-time graduate students enrolled in a medical, dental, pharmacy, veterinary, public health, allied health, social sciences, or a related graduate degree program, with a demonstrated interest in public health, health equity, infectious diseases, or biomedical science.
- 6-Month Track - Fellows must be currently enrolled in a graduate program or have graduated within one year prior to the start date of the fellowship.
- 12-Month Track - Fellows must have completed a graduate degree (post-master's or post-doctoral) prior to the fellowship start date.
How to Apply for the Ferguson Fellowship
Applications for cohorts beginning in February (6-Month Track) or May (Summer & 12-Month Track) of the following year open in early in October of the current year.
- 6-Month Track Deadline: December 1
- Summer Track Deadline: January 31
- 12-Month Track Deadline: January 31
Please visit the Kennedy Krieger Institute website to access fellowship resources and learn more about the application process. Interested applicants should take the following steps:
- Review the application guidelines and sample application.
- Identify the fellowship track(s) of interest: summer, 6-month, and/or 12-month.
- Submit a completed application by the deadline, including two letters of reference.
Apply to be a Mentor!
- Review the mentorship agreement to ensure a clear understanding of mentorship responsibilities.
- Email FergusonFellowship@cdc.gov to express your interest by the fellowship application deadline.
- Identify research project(s), how many fellows you can host, and which track(s) are of interest (6-month, Summer, and/or 12-month).