Diversity and Health Equity Opportunities

Key points

  • If you are interested in health equity or eliminating health disparities, we have a variety of exciting opportunities.
  • These opportunities are summarized here and are also organized within the short-term and full-time sections.
A multiracial group of undergraduates are talking with each other after a class at a university.

Who can participate

Program Description
*Association of State Public Health Nutritionists (ASPHN) DNPAO Nutrition and Physical Activity Traineeship Offers a competency-based, experiential education opportunity for students in the field of nutrition and physical activity who are interested in public health nutrition or physical activity as a career.

Open To
Students from populations underrepresented in the field of nutrition and/or physical activity and are US citizens, Permanent Residents, or U.S. Nationals currently enrolled in a US university at the senior through doctorate level, or are dietetic interns.  A major or minor in nutrition, kinesiology, or similar degree is required.

Length/Salary
8 Weeks, paid

Application Period
January to March, contact Teresa Jones at teresa@asphn.org.

*Association of State Public Health Nutritionists (ASPHN) Health Equity Internship Offers a unique internship opportunity to prepare students of federally designated minority-serving institutions (MSIs) to apply academic skills and problem-solving to real-life work experiences while the public health programs they serve gain vitality and fresh perspectives from future leaders.

Open To
Undergraduate and graduate students from minority-serving institutions

Length/Salary
12 Weeks, paid

Application Period
Various months For more information, contact Karen Probert at internship@asphn.org.

CDC John R. Lewis Undergraduate Public Health Scholars Program The CDC John R. Lewis Undergraduate Public Health Scholars [Lewis Scholars; formerly CDC Undergraduate Public Health Scholars (CUPS)] Program provides undergraduate students from across the country the opportunity to explore public health through hands-on training, mentorship, and professional development. The Lewis Scholars Program introduces undergraduate (and recently graduated) students to topics in minority health and health equity and supports their career development. During their internships, participants work in a variety of public health settings including community organizations, health departments, university-based programs, and federal agencies.

Open To
Rising Juniors, Seniors, and recent graduates

Length/Salary
Varies per opportunity

Application Period
Varies per opportunity

*CDC Undergraduate Public Health Scholars (CUPS) Program CDC’s Undergraduate Public CDC’s Undergraduate Public Health Scholars (CUPS) program prepares a diverse body of students to consider public health as a career to ensure a future where the American public benefits from a more diverse and better trained public health workforce. A core area of study and practice during the internship is related to the health needs of U.S. minority and other populations who often are underserved and underrepresented in the field. During their internships, students work in a variety of public health settings including community organizations, health departments, university-based programs, and federal agencies.

Open To
Rising juniors, seniors, and recent graduates

Length/Salary
Varies per opportunity

Application Period
Varies per opportunity

Future Public Health Leaders Program (FPHLP) Participants in this program are assigned to Community-based organizations (CBOs) /non-profits, health systems, or government agencies and health departments to consider careers in public health.

Open To
Undergraduates in their sophomore, junior and senior year and recent baccalaureate degree students

Length/Salary
10 Weeks residential summer program, paid

Application Period
January to February

*Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) National Internship Program (HNIP) Provides direct experience matched to majors and career goals in a diverse array of careers in the federal sector.

Open To
Enrollment in a degree-seeking program (BA/BS, Masters, JD, MD, or Ph.D) and recent graduates

Length/Salary
10-15 Weeks, paid

Application Period
Spring: September to November; Summer: September to March; Fall: January to June

James A Ferguson Emerging Infectious Diseases Fellowship Opportunities for students interested in participating in infectious diseases and health disparities research. Ferguson Fellows are encouraged to submit their research to national meetings and for publication.Provides direct experience matched to majors and career goals in a diverse array of careers in the federal sector.

Open To
Current or recent post-graduate students in medical, dental, veterinary, pharmacy, and public health master’s-level graduate programs (focus on students from underrepresented populations)

Length/Salary
9 Weeks summer, 6 months (full or part time), or 12 months (full time), paid

Application Period
November to January

*Maternal Child Health Careers/Research Initiatives for Student Enhancement – Undergraduate Program (MCHC/RISE-UP) Fellows are assigned to Kennedy Krieger Institute (KKI), Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Nursing, and Public Health, University of Southern California, California State University-LA, and University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine Center for Disabilities to address health disparities.

Open To
Rising juniors, seniors, and recent graduates

Length/Salary
10 Weeks summer, paid

Application Period
December to January

*Morehouse College Project IMHOTEP Program IMHOTEP interns undergo training and research in biostatistics, epidemiology, and occupational safety and health at programs and offices at CDC, state and local health departments, and non-profit organizations.

Open To
Undergraduate juniors, seniors, and recent graduates

Length/Salary
11 Weeks summer, paid

Application Period
January to February

Morehouse School of Medicine/ MPH Applied Practice Experience The goal of the APE is for students to synthesize and integrate public health theory and skills acquired from coursework and other learning experiences and to demonstrate competency attainment through community engagement and fieldwork placements. Summer internship students interested in public health. The Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch (ESB) in DGHT/CGH is seeking opportunities to expose students to the Global HIV Programs. The students will also gain opportunities to become familiar with the CDC workplace and observe the principles of public health in practice on a daily basis.

Open To
1st year MPH graduate students at Morehouse School of Medicine/MPH Program

Length/Salary
360 hours paid (May – August)

Application Period
Contact: Tonya Ross Walker
Deputy Chief
Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch
Division of Global Health and TB
Center of Global Health
CDC
Tpr6@cdc.gov
404-639-6081

Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in HIV Prevention for Communities of Color Mission is to recruit, mentor, and train investigators to conduct domestic HIV and AIDS prevention research in communities of color. Upon completion of this program, participants will be able to design, conduct, and evaluate scientifically sound, culturally appropriate, HIV and AIDS prevention research activities in communities of color.

Open To
Doctoral-level researchers, i.e., PhD, ScD, DrPH in behavioral sciences, social sciences, epidemiology, public health, or MD/MPH

Length/Salary
2 Years, paid

Application Period
September to October

*Public Health Entomology for all (PHEFA) Fellowship The Public Health Entomology for all (PHEFA) Fellowship program, in partnership with the Entomological Society of America, encourages recent graduates who are interested in social justice and health equity to pursue entomology as a career and work toward a future in which all communities benefit from creative, inclusive, and equitable scientific processes and solutions.

CDC will host PHEFA Fellows on the main campus in Atlanta, as well as in its field offices in Fort Collins, Colorado, and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Fellows will conduct research alongside experienced entomologists in CDC’s Division of Vector-Borne Diseases and Division of Parasitic Diseases of Malaria. Fellows will learn about public health entomology as a profession and learn applied entomological strategies to prevent and control vector-borne diseases including dengue, Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted, fever, West Nile virus, and malaria.

Open To
Recent bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD graduates from minority-serving institutions

Length/Salary
1 year (renewable in some cases); paid

Application Period
December/February (December 15 – February 1)

*Public Health Entomology for all (PHEFA) Internship The Public Health Entomology for all (PHEFA) Internship program, in partnership with the Entomological Society of America, encourages students and recent graduates who are interested in social justice and health equity to pursue entomology as a career and work toward a future in which all communities benefit from creative, inclusive, and equitable scientific processes and solutions.

CDC will host PHEFA Interns on the main campus in Atlanta, as well as in its field offices in Fort Collins, Colorado, and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Interns will learn from experienced entomologists in CDC’s Division of Vector-Borne Diseases and Division of Parasitic Diseases of Malaria. Interns will learn about public health entomology as a profession and learn applied entomological strategies to prevent and control vector-borne diseases including dengue, Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted, fever, West Nile virus, and malaria.

Open To
Undergraduate students from minority-serving institutions who have completed at least 75% of their coursework

Length/Salary
10 weeks over the summer; paid

Application Period
December/February (December 15 – February 1)

*Public Health for All The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will host a total of two PHEFA Fellows in its field offices in Fort Collins, Colorado; one PHEFA Fellow in Atlanta, Georgia; and one PHEFA Fellow in San Juan, Puerto Rico Fellows will conduct research alongside experienced entomologists in CDC’s Division of Vector-Borne Diseases who are creating solutions to public health challenges, like Dengue, Zika virus, Lyme disease, and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Fellows will learn about public health entomology as a profession and learn applied entomological strategies to prevent and control vector-borne diseases.

Open To
Recent graduates

Length/Salary
1 year; paid

Application Period
December – March, contact Stacie East at seast@entsoc.org.

*Public Health Leadership and Learning Undergraduate Student Success (PLLUSS) Fellows are assigned to Kennedy Krieger Institute (KKI); Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Johns Hopkins University undergraduate program in Public Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, and School of Nursing in Baltimore, MD; California State University – Los Angeles (CSU–LA, a diverse Hispanic-serving

Open To
Undergraduate sophomore and junior students minoring or majoring in public health

Length/Salary
10 Weeks, paid

Application Period
TBD

*The Summer Public Health Scholars Program (SPHSP) Fellows are assigned to state and local health departments; non-profit organizations and various Columbia University Colleges and undergo a rigorous program which includes Public Health course work at Columbia University; hands-on field experience and immersion in a diverse, economically disadvantaged urban environment; seminars and lectures with public health leaders; and mentoring by faculty members.

Open To
Rising juniors, seniors, and recent graduates

Length/Salary
10 Weeks summer, paid

Application Period
Late January to Early February

Thurgood Marshall College Fund Student Ambassador Program Offers strategic relationships in education and research. Currently under reorganization. More details for relaunch are forthcoming.

Open To
Rising junior and senior undergraduate students; graduate students

Length/Salary
10 Weeks

Application Period
TBD

Tribal Public Health Law Internships and Externships Students explore the critical role of public health lawyers and analysts who work to advance the use of laws as a public health tool.

Open To
Current and rising third-year law students

Length/Salary
9-14 Weeks, unpaid

Application Period
Summer: January 31
Fall: April 30
Spring: October 1

*Denotes fellowships offered in partnership with CDC