The Dr. James A. Ferguson RISE Fellowship (Ferguson RISE) Program is planned to be in person format. Please note the format of the summer program is subject to change based on the COVID-19 pandemic status. Please continue to monitor the CDC website for up-to-date information.

Ferguson RISE –6-month Fellowship begins on Saturday, February 3, 2024 with a virtual Orientation. The Ferguson RISE-6 Fellowship concludes on Tuesday, August 6, 2024. Ferguson RISE-Summer Fellowship begins Monday, May 27, 2024 and ends August 6, 2024.  Ferguson RISE12-month begins Monday, May 27, 2024 and ends Friday, May 23, 2025. The in-person Center for Diversity Orientation for ALL scholars begins on Memorial Day, Monday, May 27, 2024. Orientation registration and seminars will begin on Monday, May 27, through Friday, May 31, 2024 for Ferguson-Summer Fellowship. Week 2 Orientation will continue through Friday,  June 7 for Ferguson-6 and Ferguson-12.  Ferguson RISE-Summer Fellows assigned to CDC mentors begin at the CDC on Monday, June 3, 2024.

Following Orientation, the Ferguson RISE-Summer fellows begin their research experience on Monday, June 3, 2024, and the public health research experience will end formally on Friday, July 26, 2024. Ferguson RISE Fellows will participate in the CDC Showcase and Expo on July 29-31, 2024. Ferguson RISE Research Symposium is planned for Monday, August 5, 2024 and Tuesday, August 6, 2024. Ferguson RISE-Summer fellows will participate in Wednesday Research Accountability Groups and Public Health seminars beginning Wednesday, June 5, 2024.  Ferguson-12 will participate in Thursday Research Accountability Groups and Public Health Seminars. 

During the Ferguson Fellowship program, Ferguson RISE Fellows receive mentored research and professional development experiences with the CDC, Howard University, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, School of Nursing, and Bloomberg School of Public Health, the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH), Morehouse School of Medicine, The City University of New York, Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University.

The CDC Site in Atlanta offers a research externship focused on infectious diseases and addressing public health disparities. Ferguson RISE fellows work with research mentors on a range of infectious disease projects, prevention of health disparities, and public health prevention, treatment, and epidemiological studies. Research experiences include laboratory science, epidemiology, public health policy, public health education, developmental disabilities, injury prevention, and emergency preparedness. Conferences and networking related to public health infectious diseases research and response preparedness are offered.

Kennedy Krieger Institute, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Bloomberg School of Public Health, School of Nursing, Maryland Department of Health, Howard University, and The City University of New York offer clinical and state research experiences. In Atlanta, research training opportunities include the CDC, Morehouse School of Medicine, and Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University. Ferguson RISE fellows work with research mentors on infectious disease treatment, prevention, health disparities, mental health, developmental disabilities, and epidemiology projects. Ferguson RISE fellows may participate in clinical and community public health prevention visits.

All Fellows participate in weekly research and public health seminars. Ferguson RISE fellows may participate in the CDC Showcase (Monday, July 29, 2024 through Wednesday, July 31, 2024), and Expo (Monday, August 5, 2024 and Tuesday, August 6, 2024). Ferguson RISE fellows will present their research to peers, mentors, and researchers. It is anticipated that Ferguson RISE fellows will submit manuscripts for peer-reviewed publications.

All program activities are contingent upon CDC funding.

Program Benefits:

  • A stipend is provided by Kennedy Krieger Institute and is based on federal rates for academic level.
  • Housing allowance provided for 12- and 6-month fellows.
  • Sponsorship to attend a national scientific meeting.
  • Mentorship and coaching
  • Research and Scientific Writing Groups

Expectations and Objectives:

Ferguson RISE Fellows are expected to:

  • Attend weekly hybrid Research Accountability Groups and public health summer seminars
  • Develop and present research at the Ferguson RISE Fellowship Research Program Symposia at the end of the summer session. View 2019 Ferguson RISE Summer Symposium Videos

Eligibility Requirements:

Students who are members of underrepresented populations are strongly encouraged to apply!

To be considered for acceptance into this program, the applicant must: 

  • Be enrolled as a full-time student in a graduate medical, dental, pharmacy, veterinary, public health, allied health, or social sciences program during the entire summer program. The 6-month and 12-month fellows include students who are actively enrolled in graduate school or have graduated within one year of the start of the Ferguson RISE Fellowship.
  • Have at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
  • Have the ability to commit to participate actively during the length of the fellowship. 

All activities are subject to the availability of federal funds.

All Center for Diversity summer programs, including the MCHC/RISE-UP and Dr. James A. Ferguson Emerging Infectious Diseases RISE Fellowship, will be in person. Please note the format of summer programs is subject to change based on the COVID-19 pandemic status. Please visit this website and the CDC website for up-to-date information on program modifications.

Ferguson RISE Application:

2024 Center for Diversity Application Instructions

Ferguson RISE Application

Ferguson RISE Sample Application and Guidelines

Application Video Guide

For More Information:

For additional program information, please contact Ferguson_Fellowship@KennedyKrieger.org or see our frequently asked questions

2018 Ferguson RISE Summer Symposium Videos