The Public Health Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery (PHEPRR) Fellowship is a strategic four-month professional training program dedicated to enhancing public health system resilience across the West African region. Developed through a collaboration involving Georgetown University, ICAP at Columbia University, and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this initiative is specifically tailored for mid-career public health professionals who are not specialized in traditional emergency operations but whose work is critical to sustaining essential services during crises.
PHEPRR Fellowship 2026 Summary Table
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Host Institutions | Georgetown University, ICAP at Columbia University, US CDC |
| Program Level | Professional Fellowship (Training Initiative) |
| Duration | Four Months |
| Focus | Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery Integration |
| Target Audience | Mid-Career Public Health Professionals |
| Eligible Region | West African Countries (Regional, National, or Subnational levels) |
| Key Requirement | Institutional support for Capstone Project |
| Application Requirements | CV, Headshot, 3-Minute Video, Applicant Approval Form |
| Application Deadline | March 1, 2026 |
PHEPRR Fellowship Details
The fellowship utilizes a blended learning model, which may include virtual sessions, interactive modules, and applied learning activities, providing participants with exposure to operational frameworks, coordination mechanisms, and workforce readiness strategies used in emergency management.
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The program strongly encourages applications from professionals working across diverse sectors and disease-specific programs, recognizing that effective emergency management requires multisectoral collaboration.
Benefits and Specific Fellowship Award Tiers
The PHEPRR Fellowship is a professional development award, focusing on knowledge transfer, skill acquisition, and institutional capacity building rather than monetary funding. All benefits relate to the training value and resources provided.
Tier 1: Core Strategic Training & Applied Learning
This tier focuses on the primary outcome of the fellowship: the specialized training and the direct implementation of a solution.
- Value: Four-month professional training initiative designed to strengthen capacity in PHEPRR.
- Criteria: Participants gain practical skills and strategic insight to enhance organizational resilience during crises.
- Value: Capstone Project Implementation within the home institution.
- Criteria: Fellows design and execute a project providing sustainable solutions that strengthen public health infrastructure and workforce capabilities.
Tier 2: Methodology & Expert Guidance
This category covers the learning delivery model and the direct support provided to the fellow.
- Exposure to a Blended Learning Model (virtual sessions, interactive modules, and applied learning activities).
- Direct guidance and mentorship from Technical Mentors and Subject-Matter Experts affiliated with Georgetown, ICAP, and CDC.
- Acquisition of practical knowledge in Operational Frameworks, Coordination Mechanisms, and Workforce Readiness Strategies.
Tier 3: Professional & Network Development
These benefits relate to the enhanced professional standing and long-term network cultivation resulting from the fellowship.
- Cultivation of a network of skilled public health professionals capable of advancing preparedness and response systems across the West African region.
- Opportunity to build competencies that support institutional resilience and multisectoral collaboration in emergency management.
- Enhanced capacity for informed decision-making during future public health emergencies.
Eligibility Requirements for PHEPRR Fellowship 2026
Applicants must be mid-career public health professionals based in West Africa, with strong institutional backing for their capstone project.
- Academic/Leadership:
- Must be a mid-career public health professional.
- Must be working across diverse sectors or disease-specific programs (e.g., Measles, HIV, One Health, Surveillance, Health Communications, Clinical Services).
- Must demonstrate a commitment to strengthening public health systems.
- Study Status:
- Intended for individuals not specializing in Emergency Operations Centers (EOC), Incident Management Systems (IMS), or Rapid Response Teams (RRTs).
- Must have the support of their institution to participate and execute the capstone initiative (confirmed via Applicant Approval Form).
- Visa Status:
- Applicants should be based at regional, national, or subnational levels within West African countries.
- Must provide a copy of the International Passport Bio-Page for identity verification and administrative processing.
- Program Admission:
- Eligible applicants may come from National Public Health Institutes (NPHIs), Ministries of Health, Ministries of Agriculture, the military sector, or other multisectoral institutions.
- Must submit a complete set of documents as part of the application package (incomplete submissions will result in disqualification).
How to Apply for PHEPRR Fellowship 2026 (Step by Step)
The application process requires careful preparation of multiple distinct components, including a video submission and formal institutional approval.
- Prepare Required Documents: Gather and convert all documents to PDF format (unless specified otherwise). This includes the updated CV (max 3 pages), Academic Certificate(s), and the International Passport Bio-Page.
- Obtain Institutional Approval: Secure the Applicant Approval Form, ensuring it is properly completed and signed by required authorities (supervisors, nominating bodies, or institutional representatives) to confirm organizational support.
- Record and Submit Video Application: Record a three-minute video introducing yourself, explaining your motivation for the fellowship, and describing your aspirations to contribute to PHEPRR in your country or region. (This is a core component).
- Complete Online Submission: Upload all prepared files (including the video and headshot) to the designated online application portal. Ensure accuracy, clarity, and completeness before the final submission.
Application Deadline: March 1, 2026
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the primary goal of the PHEPRR Fellowship?
The primary goal is to strengthen the capacity of public health practitioners to prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies by integrating these principles into their existing public health programs and sustaining essential services during crises.
2. What is the expected duration of the PHEPRR Fellowship?
The professional training initiative is structured to run for four months.
3. What is the Capstone Project, and why is it mandatory?
The Capstone Project requires fellows to design and execute a project that directly contributes to improving preparedness, response, or recovery capacity within their home institution, allowing them to apply newly acquired skills to a real-world scenario.
4. What is the required length for the Curriculum Vitae (CV) submission?
Applicants must provide an updated CV or résumé that does not exceed three pages.
5. Who should apply for this fellowship?
The fellowship targets mid-career public health professionals working in West African countries across multisectoral institutions (NPHIs, Ministries of Health/Agriculture, military, etc.) who do not specialize in Emergency Operations Centers (EOC) or Incident Management Systems (IMS).
6. Is the fellowship limited to specific disease programs?
No, the fellowship encourages applicants from diverse disease-specific programs such as Measles, Polio, HIV, One Health, surveillance, laboratory systems, health communications, or clinical and hospital services.
7. What is the purpose of the Applicant Approval Form?
This form must be signed by institutional authorities to confirm organizational support for the participant’s involvement in the fellowship and their commitment to the execution of the Capstone Project.
8. What are the key elements required in the 3-Minute Video Application?
The video must include an introduction, an explanation of the applicant’s motivation for joining the fellowship, and a description of their aspirations for contributing to PHEPRR in their country or region.
9. Which institutions are collaborating to offer this fellowship?
The fellowship is a collaboration among Georgetown University, ICAP at Columbia University, and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
10. Are incomplete applications reviewed?
No, the application requirements state that only applications that include all required components will be reviewed, and incomplete submissions may result in disqualification.
