Public Health AmeriCorps

Public Health AmeriCorps is a groundbreaking initiative made possible through partnership between CDC and AmeriCorps and is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act. The program supports efforts to build a strong and diverse workforce that is ready to respond to the nation’s public health needs.

Our Shared Vision

As announced in September 2021, Public Health AmeriCorps provides a pathway to recruit, train, and develop the next generation of public health leaders. This program leverages the expertise of CDC and AmeriCorps, capitalizing on AmeriCorps’ experience managing some of the most prominent public service and workforce development programs in the nation while benefitting from CDC’s technical expertise as the country’s leading public health agency. This 5-year grant program provides

• Grantee organizations with needed workforce support to meet the public health needs of local communities and advance more equitable health outcomes.
• Members with pathways to public health careers through service to communities across the country.

Apply to Be a Grantee Organization

On Tuesday April 25, 2023, AmeriCorps announced the second year of grant funds totaling nearly $90 million to more than 100 state and local organizations through Public Health AmeriCorps. This announcement builds on the first year of funding, which provided nearly $70 million to 82 organizations. Eligible organizations included Indian Tribes; institutions of higher education; local governments; public health departments; nonprofit organizations; state service commissions; and states and U.S. Territories.

This year’s funding awards include 78 continuation grants and 27 awards to new Public Health AmeriCorps grantees, which will support more than 4,000 AmeriCorps members, adding additional capacity to our strained public health system and helping these members develop skills that can lead to public health careers. Of the new grantees, 13 will be serving rural communities, 16 in urban areas, and 8 serving both rural and urban communities.

The President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology released a report on the public health workforce. The report recognizes Public Health AmeriCorps as an example of leadership development and investment in future public health leaders and highlights the role of AmeriCorps members during the pandemic.

Apply to Be a Member

If you are looking for a full- or part-time opportunity to serve your community, visit Public Health AmeriCorps and use the interactive search tool to find an opportunity by location.

*Member benefits apply to all member cohorts across the five funding years. Project focus areas and member activities only apply to the 2022 cohort. Project focus areas and member activities may vary in future cohorts depending on the public health needs of grantee organizations.