Frequently Asked Questions

Both the PE Fellows and Analytics and Modeling Track fellows are full-time equivalent (FTE) employees during their fellowship.

Fellows are paid the equivalent of a GS 12, Step 3 salary and receive the same benefits as other CDC FTE employees (such as medical insurance and vacation). Fellows may be eligible for a salary increase after one year of appointment, based on performance and written recommendation by appropriate management officials. See the Office of Personnel Management Salary Table for more information. Relocation expenses are not authorized.

Educational Loan Repayment

PE Fellows may be eligible to receive up to $50K a year in student loan repayment for a 2-year service agreement, based on availability of funding. To be eligible for this student loan repayment recruitment incentive, candidates must:

1. Have qualifying student loans that are federally made, insured, or guaranteed. Primary care loans (PCLs) and consolidated loans with a spouse are not eligible. Loan repayments are limited to those participants with a substantial amount of educational loans relative to income, which is defined as educational loans that are more than 20% of the participant’s annual CDC base salary.
2. Be a U.S. citizen.
3. Have a degree from an accredited institution.
4. Be accepted into one of five CDC fellowship programs:
   1. Epidemic Intelligence Service,
   2. Laboratory Leadership Service,
   3. Public Heath Informatics Fellowship,
   4. Prevention Effectiveness Fellowship, or the
   5. Future Leaders in Infections and Global Health Threats Fellowship

Once accepted into the PE Fellowship, staff will communicate the process to apply for loan repayment to those who are eligible. Visit the Educational Loan Repayment Program for Health Professionals page for more information about loan repayment.

Limited student loan repayment is available to PE fellows who meet certain requirements. See more information at the Educational Loan Repayment Program for Health Professionals web page.

Yes. Both the PE Fellows and Analytics and Modeling Track fellows are full-time equivalent (FTE) employees during their fellowship.

Yes. Fellows receive the same benefits as other CDC FTE employees (such as medical insurance and vacation).

Yes. Work authorization information must accompany applications from non-U.S. citizens. Additional information may be solicited.

Fellows are required to relocate to Atlanta or the city of their duty station for the fellowship.  Given office space availability and liberal telework and remote work options, fellows are allowed to telework and work remotely with the approval of their supervisor and consistent with CDC policy.

Yes. Fellows may be required to

• Conduct site visits
• Attend conferences
• Meet with CDC grantees and collaborators
• Attend training opportunities

Most fellows are assigned to work in various programs throughout CDC. Placement depends on a best fit between the fellow’s interests and skills and program needs. A sincere effort is made to best to match fellows with assignments that will provide them with the greatest opportunities for professional development.