What if your data skills could help protect the health of a whole country? The CDC Public Health Informatics Fellowship Program known as PHIFP gives you that chance. You work at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a full-time federal employee. You apply computer science, data analytics and data science to real public health problems.
Applications for 2027 close on 6 November 2026 at 11:59 pm ET. Late applications are not accepted.
Last Information Checked: 22 October 2026
Quick Facts
| Item | Details |
| Programme | CDC Public Health Informatics Fellowship Program (PHIFP) |
| Host | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |
| Length | 2 years full-time |
| Work | Advanced information systems and data projects at a CDC host site |
| Employment | Full-time equivalent federal government employee |
| Pay level for Master’s fellows | GS 11 step 3 |
| Pay level for doctoral fellows | GS 12 step 3 |
| Relocation | You must move to the location of your assigned host site |
| Deadline | 6 November 2026 at 11:59 pm ET |
What Public Health Informatics Is
Public health informatics is the use of knowledge about systems that collect manage analyse and use information. The goal is better health for whole populations. PHIFP trains professionals to use computer science data analytics and data science to meet today’s and tomorrow’s public health needs.
What Fellows Do
Fellows are placed at host sites inside the CDC. They work on advanced projects that improve information systems and health data. They share their own skills. They also grow through classroom learning and hands on experience.
Fellowship Benefits
- Federal employment. You are a full time equivalent federal government employee for the two years of the fellowship
- Master’s level pay. Fellows with a master’s degree are paid at GS 11 step 3
- Doctoral level pay. Fellows with a doctoral degree are paid at GS-12, step 3
- Pay rises. You may be eligible for a salary increase after the first year based on performance and written recommendations from managers
- Employee benefits. You get the same benefits as other CDC full-time employees including paid annual leave and paid sick leave
- Real projects. Work on advanced information system and data projects at a CDC host site
- Career growth. A chance to build skills at the heart of public health data
- Training. Classroom learning and experience on the job
Who Can Apply
You must:
- Meet the education informatics public health and research experience requirements on the official eligibility page
- Be ready to commit to a two year full time fellowship
- Be ready to relocate to the place of your assignment
Documents You Need
| Document | What CDC asks |
| Unofficial transcripts | PDF copies for all degrees finished or in progress. Show the degree courses, grades and graduation date |
| Credential evaluation | Needed if your qualifying degree is from a non US institution. It must be a course-by-course evaluation of every non US degree by a NACES member. This applies whatever your citizenship |
| Work and volunteer record | Position title, role description, accomplishments, location and start and end dates by month and year |
| Training record | Online or in-person training such as MOOCs, conferences or seminars |
| Research record | Publications presentations working papers thesis reports grants or honours |
| Personal statement | An essay of 1000 words or less. Say what led you to public health and informatics and how the fellowship will help your goals |
| Three letters of recommendation | See the rules below |
| Skills self assessment | Part of the application. Give examples where you can |
Letter rules
- At least three letters from people who know your work and character
- At least two must come from people who do not work at the CDC
- One from a current or former supervisor or professor is strongly suggested
- Do not ask co workers or friends
- Letters must be specific to PHIFP and written in English
- Referees send them through the portal using a standard form. They get an email link
- The checklist says letters are due no later than 1 December. The checklist shows no year so confirm the date for 2027
If you are accepted, CDC must receive your official transcript by 30 June of the fellowship year. Your school sends it directly.
How To Apply
- Read the official PHIFP eligibility page and check that you qualify.
- Open the PHIFP Fellow Application 2027 on the CDC application portal.
- Fill in your education and experience.
- Upload your unofficial transcripts and any credential evaluation.
- Add your work, research and training records.
- Write your personal statement. Keep it within 1000 words.
- Complete the skills self assessment.
- Enter your referees. Tell them to expect an email with the recommendation form link.
- Submit before 6 November 2026 at 11:59 pm ET.
Mistakes To Avoid
- Applying after the deadline. Late applications are not accepted
- Forgetting the credential evaluation for a non US degree
- Using letters from co-workers or friends
- Asking referees too late
- Going over 1000 words in the personal statement
- Missing the requirement to relocate
- Applying when you cannot commit to two years full time
- Skipping the official transcript step if accepted
Key Dates
- 6 November 2026 at 11:59 pm ET: Application deadline
- 1 December: Letters of recommendation due according to the CDC checklist
- 30 June of the fellowship year: Official transcript due if accepted