Fellows Program

The application process is currently closed.

Our Global Health Policy Fellows Program at the Center for Policy Impact in Global Health (CPIGH) is a paid fellowship designed to provide experience in the field of health policy, with a particular focus on the finance, governance, delivery, and architecture of health systems. Our Policy Fellows collaborate with an international research team, global health leaders, key policy makers, and Duke University faculty at the Duke Global Health Institute (DGHI) and the Duke Center for International Development (DCID).

Features & benefits of the Fellows Program

There are two phases of the Fellows Program. The initial in-country preparatory phase of 2-5 months (i.e., project development, in-country IRB submission and approval, and data collection) begins after a candidate is awarded a fellowship position. A mentor with relevant expertise will be working with you during the preparatory phase. Then, there is the intensive 8-week Duke University on-site data analysis, presentation, and writing phase. While at Duke University, Policy Fellows will present their project at multiple venues, collaborate on multiple peer reviewed publications and policy briefs, and write and publish policy blogs for the CPIGH website.

While on-site at CPIGH, the Fellows Program provides a wide range of opportunities including academic coursework, research opportunities, participation in Duke University events, and a deeper and longer policy engagement after the end of the program. The Program is exclusively for training and gaining experience in global health policy – Policy Fellows do not perform work for the Center.

Embedded perspective of the Center’s analytic work: at the Center, we conduct global health policy research using quantitative and qualitative approaches (e.g., tracking health financing flows; modeling the impacts of health policies; and conducting key informant interviews with policy makers). Policy Fellows will see first-hand the analytical activities of the Center’s international research and they will receive training and gain experience in global health policy while completing their research project.

Research project and publication: Policy Fellows will lead a research project of their own during the tenure of the program on a topic that links with the existing research at the Center. Policy Fellows will receive support from the CPIGH team in publishing findings from their project. Each Fellow will have a specific mentor at CPIGH who will provide mentorship on the research project.

Academic coursework: Policy Fellows have the opportunity to audit a wide variety of courses taught at DGHI, DCID, and elsewhere at Duke, subject to the discretion of the course tutors.

Skill development: Policy Fellows will be able to participate in Duke seminars and workshops in the areas of public policy, leadership, communication, academic writing skills, and communications.

Interaction with global health and policy leaders: Policy Fellows will interact with a wide variety global health practitioners and public policy experts at Duke, as well as with international experts from multilateral and bilateral development agencies and global health foundations.

Candidate Qualifications

Applications are invited from candidates in low- and middle-income countries who have a background in health policy, health financing and delivery, or government financing of health services. Candidates must have at least a masters’ degree, a minimum of five years of relevant work experience, and available to be a resident fellow at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. Early- to mid-career researchers are particularly encouraged to apply. Preference will be given to candidates from the countries where the Center’s research is primarily focused; Ghana, India, Kenya, Myanmar, Nigeria, and Sri Lanka. Experience in conducting health research (quantitative and/or qualitative) is preferred. However, the Center is most interested in finding the right candidates and will consider candidates without experience in conducting health research from academia, government, think tanks, NGOs, bilateral or multilateral development agencies or consulting firms.

To apply

To apply, send your complete application package (all nine of the following documents) to the Center email address (cpigh@duke.edu):

  1. A curriculum vitae including details of publications;
  2. A 500-word personal statement describing why you are interested in the fellows program;
  3. A project proposal of up to 1000 words that describes the research project that you would conduct during the program at Duke and how it would be aligned with the Center’s mission;
  4. Writing samples that demonstrate your previous work, your writing skills, and your ability to express original ideas (we prefer solo-authored writing samples, if these are available);
  5. A photocopy of your Masters and/or PhD certificate, whichever is applicable;
  6. The names of two professional references;
  7. Valid TOEFL test scores to demonstrate English proficiency;
  8. A photocopy of your passport;
  9. Confirmation of availability for an 8-week period.

If your application is chosen by the selection committee, you will be asked to participate in up to three online interviews. All candidates will be notified of the committee’s decision.

This paid fellowship is funded by a small family foundation and is non-renewable.