Africa Epidemic Services (AES) - Epidemiology Track Fellowship (Africa CDC)
Posted July 29, 2026
Application Cycle Concluded
The listed deadline for this opening was August 26, 2026. Application criteria, required documents, and preparation guidelines below remain active for upcoming academic cycles. Explore active live openings below.
About this opportunity
Africa CDC is accepting applications for its Africa Epidemic Services (AES) Epidemiology Track Fellowship, a fully funded two-year program that trains mid-level public health professionals in applied epidemiology. The program starts in October 2026 with three months of intensive in-person didactic training in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, followed by 21 months of hands-on applied training within an African Union Member State. Fellows work under expert mentors on outbreak investigations, surveillance system evaluations, and advanced data analysis. The application deadline is August 26, 2026. The fellowship is built around four Core Activities of Learning. Fellows lead and participate in rapid response to infectious disease threats, analyze and improve existing public health surveillance systems, interpret complex epidemiological data to inform health policies, and prepare scientific publications and presentations for regional and international conferences. The goal is to strengthen disease prevention and response capacity across African countries while building a skilled continental health workforce. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention is an autonomous technical agency of the African Union. It was established to strengthen the capacity, capabilities, and partnerships of Africa's public health institutions. Its work is guided by the Africa Health Workforce Compact and Agenda 2063, the AU's long-term development framework. The AES fellowship is a flagship program under this mandate, designed to retain highly skilled health professionals within the continent. Addis Ababa, where the didactic training takes place, is Ethiopia's capital and the diplomatic hub of Africa, hosting the African Union headquarters. The city sits at an elevation of about 2,355 meters, giving it a mild climate year-round. Fellows should expect a busy urban environment with a growing public health sector. The applied training phase will take place in a host AU Member State, which may involve travel and relocation within Africa. The program covers full travel-related costs, so geographic mobility is expected.
Benefits
- Full travel-related costs covered for all program phases
- Monthly stipends provided throughout the two-year fellowship
- Required hardware and software provided
- Comprehensive health insurance included
- All learning and development materials covered
Eligibility
- Must be a citizen of an African Union (AU) Member State
- Must be under 35 years of age, per the AU definition of youth
- Must be currently employed in a public health capacity within an African country
- Must have a formal guarantee of release from your employer for the 2-year training period
- Must have guaranteed re-employment at your home institution after the fellowship ends
- Bachelor's or Master's degree from an accredited university in a "One Health" or related discipline, including human medicine, veterinary medicine, nursing, environmental sciences, public health, or equivalent doctoral-level training
- Demonstrated completion of coursework in epidemiology, biostatistics, or quantitative research methods
- At least three years of recent, full-time postgraduate public health experience in an African country
- Proficiency in at least one AU official language: English, French, Arabic, Portuguese, Spanish, or Kiswahili
- Multilingualism is considered a distinct asset
- Advanced Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) fellows and graduates are not eligible to apply
Required Documents
- Copy of a valid national passport from an AU Member State
- Official employer support letter from your government institution granting permission for the 2-year program and guaranteeing your job upon return
- Two professional letters of recommendation from reputable, relevant referees
- Certified copies of degree certificates and official academic transcripts
- Curriculum Vitae using the mandatory African Union CV Template
- Motivation statement of maximum 500 words explaining why you are an ideal fit and how the training will benefit your home country's health security
How to Apply
- Prepare all mandatory documents, including the completed AU CV template, academic credentials, employer support letter, and recommendation letters.
- Submit your complete application online through the official African Union recruitment portal before the August 26, 2026 deadline. Incomplete applications will not be processed.
- Click the Apply button below to submit your application.
Ready to start your application?
Submit your materials before the official deadline.
Verify all official guidelines and eligibility criteria directly with the host institution before submitting. Prepare your transcript evaluation, referee letters, and motivational statement early to avoid deadline bottleneck delays.
Official Application Strategy & Recommended Tools
Selection Committee Priorities
- •Academic/Professional Alignment: Ensure your statement explicitly ties your past work in Ethiopia to 's strategic goals.
- •Leadership Evidence: Selection panels heavily weigh demonstrated initiative, community impact, or research output.
- •Financial & Language Prerequisites: Confirm if Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificates can substitute for formal standardized language test fees.




