Application Information

To be eligible for PHIFP, you must have:

A doctoral (PhD, MD, PharmD) or masters level degree from an accredited academic institution in one of the following:

• Public health, medicine, health care, health services research
• Computer science, information science, information systems
• Statistics
• Epidemiology
• Public health informatics or related discipline

Informatics Experience

Documented 1 year of informatics experience for doctoral level candidates and 3 years of informatics experience for masters level candidates in one of the following fields:

• Public health informatics
• Health informatics or related field
• Information systems
• Information science
• Computer science
• Information technology

Public Health Experience

Documented 1 year of experience for doctoral level candidates and 3 years of experience for masters level candidates in one of the following areas:

• Public health
• Related healthcare profession

Research Requirements

Documented experience in performing research or evaluation during or after academic training is required. This includes publications, thesis, poster presentations, or a research or evaluation proposal.

Relocation

Relocation is required to various programs throughout CDC. Some assignments may also occur in other locations.

Citizenship

U.S. citizenship is not required. However, citizens of countries that the U.S. Secretary of State has determined to be State Sponsors of Terrorism are not eligible.
Applicants who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents must:

• Meet all education and experience requirements.
• Be eligible for a J-1 Visa and H-1B under the Research Scholar category (CDC will sponsor the J-1 visa for those selected for PHIFP).

You will apply online. The application will ask for your:

• Contact information
• Education
• Post-graduate training and skills
• Work and volunteer experience
• Publications, presentations, and grants
• Honors and awards
• Personal statement (in essay form) of 1,000 words or less addressing the following questions:
  • What are your career plans after graduating from PHIFP? Why?
  • How will PHIFP help you fulfill these plans?
  • How will PHIFP complement your previous training and experience?
• Applicant survey

You will provide supporting materials:

• Three letters of recommendation
• Unofficial college or university transcripts

Letters of Recommendation

Three letters of recommendation are required from persons familiar with your academic achievements, aspirations, personal qualities, and professional attributes. Recommendations must be specific to your PHIFP application and dated within 6 months of the application.
Applicants must:

• Provide a copy of the Instructions for Letters of Recommendation[PDF – 2 pages] to persons sending letters of recommendation on their behalf
• Request one letter from a faculty member or supervisor
• Let the persons writing the Letters of Recommendation know they will receive an email from PHIFPapplication@cdc.gov with instructions about how to submit the letter electronically

To Submit a Letter of Recommendation

To submit your letter of recommendation, complete the following:

• Enter referee information into the Add Letter of Recommendation section according to required fields
• Click on the Update button to confirm and to send a system-generated email from PHIFPapplication@cdc.gov
• Once the referee(s) have received the system generated email, they will be able to upload PDF copies of recommendation letter

The referee must:

• Sign and scan the letter or recommendation
• Save the letter as a PDF file
• Click on the link provided in the system generated email to upload the recommendation letter
• Receive a system generated email from PHIFPapplication@cdc.gov indicating that the upload was successful

Transcripts

Copies of transcripts are required for all degrees earned or in progress. Applicants with degrees requiring a completed thesis or dissertation must have defended their thesis or dissertation on or before December 30, 2017.

• When a transcript is not issued by a U.S. institution:
  • Other proof of degree completion (e.g., certified copy of a diploma) must be submitted
  • Diploma or other proof of degree completion must be translated into English
• Do not send a high school transcript
• Notes:
  • Official transcripts or other proof will be required for applicants who are accepted into the program

To Submit Unofficial Transcripts

The applicant applying to PHIFP must:

• Request an unofficial copy of all college/university transcripts.
• Within application, complete all necessary fields for college/university education, click Update
• On the main Education page, click the Upload link next to the specific college/university
• Click Browse and select appropriate college/university transcript PDF
• Click Upload to attach unofficial transcript PDF for appropriate college/university
• Confirm unofficial transcript PDF successfully attached

Official Transcripts for Those Accepted into the Program

For those accepted into PHIFP, an official transcript or other proof of degree completion must be received from your college or university.

Click the button to check the status of your application.

Contact the PHIFP program if you have any questions about the PHIFP application process.