CDC Evaluation Fellowship Program

About the Fellowship

• The CDC Evaluation Fellowship Program aims to expand the capacity of CDC programs to conduct evaluation and increase its usefulness and impact.
• The Evaluation Fellowship Program signifies CDC’s dual commitment to making program evaluation a standard part of practice and to developing a cadre of professionals with the skills to make that happen. With the CDC Evaluation Fellowship, programs will have the resources, tools, and leadership to continuously improve their work.
• The Fellowship is under the leadership of CDC’s Chief Evaluation Officer (Tom Chapel), with Fellows placed in host programs where their day-to-day activities occur.
• Started in 2011 with an initial class of 5 Fellows, the Fellowship typically has about 15-20 Fellows each year.
• Though the Fellowship has grown dramatically in just a few years, the Fellowship remains highly competitive, with only about 10% of applicants being selected for the Evaluation Fellowship Program.
• Fellowship is intended to be a two year program, with second year contingent on satisfactory performance and availability of funds.

About the CDC Evaluation Fellows

• Fellows are PhD or master’s-level professionals with backgrounds in evaluation, behavioral and social sciences, public health, and other disciplines relevant to CDC’s work. Successful applicants also typically have significant experience in applied evaluation projects.
• Applicants for the Fellowship go through an extensive selection process, including interviews with potential host programs, culminating in CDC host programs and Fellows being matched based on mutual interest.
• Fellows are typically based in Atlanta, although we have had some Fellows at CDC Centers in Washington, DC.
• Fellows receive a monthly stipend depending on education level and experience.
• Unlike many Fellowships, CDC Evaluation Fellows receive substantial financial support for their training and professional development, and a supplement to offset health insurance costs.

Hosting a Fellow

• CDC programs, especially those with low in-house evaluation capacity, may find it useful to host a Fellow and gain access to the resources of the CDC Evaluation Fellowship Program.
• Host programs oversee day-to-day evaluation projects and activities of the Fellow, as well as provide mentorship and supervision.

Applying for the Fellowship

• Applications are accepted February – April of each year, with start date in mid-August.
• More detailed application information will be posted here in February. General information is below.
• Typical application timeline:
  • February – April: Applications accepted
  • Late April: Select & notify semi-finalist Fellows
  • May: Host programs conduct interviews
  • Early June: Fellow selections & notification
  • Mid-August: Fellows start
• Candidates must have received their qualifying degree within the past five years.
• Qualifying degree must be completed by end of Spring semester of the year candidate is applying and on transcript by June.
• Appointments will be full-time at CDC, typically in the Atlanta, Georgia area.
• This is a training fellowship so Fellows do not become employees of CDC.
• Fellows are brought on through the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE).
• Non-U.S. citizens are eligible to apply. For more information see the ORISE Guidelines for Non-U.S. Citizens.