Eligibility and Requirements

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Epidemiology Elective Program (EEP), you must have the following qualifications:

• U.S. citizenship
• full-time enrollment in a U.S.-accredited medical (DO or MD) or veterinary (DVM or VMD) degree program at a school located in the United States, with at least two years completed by July 1 of the application year. The school must be accredited by one of the following organizations:
  • Liaison Committee on Medical Education
  • American Osteopathic Association
  • American Veterinary Medical Association
• availability for one of the set rotation periods, including attendance at the mandatory in-person orientation in Atlanta, Georgia, during the first three days of the rotation (subjec to change at the program's discretion).

Participant expectations

Selected EEP students:

• Are notified of program acceptance and placement by email by the specified notification date. Students must accept the placement and complete necessary paperwork by the date provided in the acceptance notification.
• Must comply with onboarding procedures by submitting paperwork on time and as instructed, completing tasks (e.g., fingerprinting) by the due dates, and communicating important updates to the program by the dates provided.
• Must attend the mandatory in-person orientation at CDC headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia during the first three days of the rotation (subject to change at program's discretion).
  • Students assigned to a site outside of Atlanta, Georgia will be traveled in at EEP program's expense, in accordance with CDC policies. Please note that this is not a travel stipend and travel must be arranged through EEP.
  • Students assigned to a CDC site in Atlanta are responsible for transportation to orientation in Atlanta as part of their travel and housing for their rotation.
• Are assigned a set rotation date and must complete their assigned rotation in its entirety. Students are allowed two days of excused absence with program approval.
• Are assigned a work status. Work status options include the following:
  • in person: at least one day with up to four days per week teleworking. Students must stay within at least 50 miles from the assigned host site office during the rotation period.
  • remote: from personal worksite such as a home office, each day from anywhere within the United States.
  • hybrid: with approximately 50% of the time (e.g., three or four consecutive weeks) in person at their host site office. Student may be granted a telework option for up to three days per week.
• Are expected to work during federal business hours, unless otherwise specified by your EEP supervisor. Federal business hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (ET).
• Are placed at CDC, other federal sites, and in state, tribal, local, and territorial health departments to complete their project assignment. They are assigned a host site supervisor. The 2027 assignments will primarily be with state, tribal, local, and territorial health departments.
• Are required to attend a range of trainings throughout their rotation.

Learn more

Watch the recorded informational webinar to learn about EEP, eligibility, the application process, and how to balance program participation with post-graduate coursework. The information in this webinar can be valuable before applying to EEP.

Before applying

Consider

• Successful EEP applicants can demonstrate in their application a record of high academic achievement, teamwork, innovation, service orientation, leadership, and unique lived experiences.
• EEP uses an algorithm to best place students with host site. The algorithm considers student and host site preferences on topics of interest, project types, set rotation dates, work status, and location provided in their applications.
• Applicants are encouraged to select all possible set rotation and work statuses they can commit to on the application. Although most rotations are in person, each year, there are some remote and hybrid assignments available.
• Applicants are most likely to match with a host site if they are willing to accept assignments in a wide range of topic areas and locations across the United States. To learn more about specific centers, institutes, and offices at CDC, visit the CDC Organization web page. In 2027, applicants who are open to a wide range of state, tribal, local, and territorial health departments may have an increased chance of matching.
  

Remember

• This is competitive with a limited number of programs that host students.
• Students may only participate in EEP once (for one rotation).
• Selected student may not participate in any other elective rotation during the dates of their assigned EEP rotation.
• Participants do not receive a salary, stipend, or benefits and are responsible for living expenses and round-trip transportation to their assigned location.

Resources

Steps to Apply to the Epidemiology Elective Program

1. Check Key Dates
2. Check Eligibility and Requirements
3. Prepare & Submit Participant Application