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The Dr. James A. Ferguson Emerging Infectious Diseases Research Initiatives for Student Enhancement RISE (Ferguson RISE) Fellowship Program is a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funded program designed to support public health research and professional development in infectious diseases and promote health. The fellowship focuses on increasing knowledge and interest in public health research careers among graduate students. Fellows at Kennedy Krieger may also gain clinical experience.

Ferguson RISE Fellowship's partnering institutions include: the CDC, Howard University, Kennedy Krieger (lead agency), Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Morehouse School of Medicine, City University of New York (CUNY) School of Public Health, and Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University. Importantly, the Ferguson RISE Fellowship has expanded research experiences, including Advanced Molecular Detection techniques and Wastewater Surveillance at sites across the nation.

Graduate students are strongly encouraged to apply!

View Application Guidelines

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Planned Activities:

6-Month

  • Virtual Orientation: Saturday, February 1, 2025
  • Ferguson RISE-6 Month Fellowship Dates: Monday, February 3, 2025 - Friday, July 25, 2025
  • Attend hybrid monthly research meetings, scientific writing seminars, and public health summer seminars
  • Professional coaching
  • Ferguson RISE research presentations during the May 2025 Orientation
  • In-person two weeks of orientation in Baltimore, Maryland (May 26, 2025 – June 6, 2025)

Summer

  • In-person Orientation: Monday, May 26, 2025 - Friday, May 30, 2025
  • Ferguson RISE Fellowship research experience: Monday, June 2, 2025 - Friday, July 25, 2025
  • Professional coaching
  • Summer Ferguson RISE Fellows will participate in the CDC Showcase and Expo on Monday, July 28 - Wednesday, July 30, 2025
  • Ferguson RISE Research Symposium is Thursday, for July 31, 2025.

12-Month

  • Fellows will participate in 2 weeks of orientation. Orientation is Monday, Monday, May 26, 2025, through Friday, June 6, 2025. 
  • Weekly Seminar: Ferguson-12 will participate in Thursday Research Accountability Groups and Public Health Seminars.
  • Professional coaching
  • Ferguson RISE research presentations May 2026.
  • This program begins Monday, May 26, 2025, and ends Friday, May 22, 2026.

Program Benefits:

  • Stipends provided by Kennedy Krieger Institute and are based on federal rates for the fellow's academic level.
  • Fellowship provides housing for Summer Ferguson RISE fellows.
  • Ferguson RISE 12-Month Fellows receive a housing allowance.
  • Sponsorship to attend a national scientific meeting.
  • Mentorship and coaching
  • Research and Scientific Writing Groups
  • Develop and present research at the Ferguson RISE Fellowship Research Program Symposium at the end of the summer session. 

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Summer Ferguson RISE Fellows must be enrolled as a full-time graduate student in a medical, dental, pharmacy, veterinary, public health, allied health, or social sciences program during the entire summer program. The Ferguson RISE 6-Month Fellows include students actively enrolled in graduate school or have graduated within one year of starting the Ferguson RISE Fellowship. Ferguson RISE 12-Month Fellows should have completed their coursework within 12 months of beginning the fellowship.
  • The Ferguson RISE Fellowship is for talented graduate scholars with at least a 3.0 GPA or better on a 4.0 scale.
  • Be able to commit to participate in program activities for the length of the Ferguson RISE Fellowship
  • Be a US citizen, US National, permanent resident

12-Month Post-Doc

  • Stipend Amount: $61,428****
  • Orientation Dates: May 26, 2025 – June 6, 2025
  • Program Dates: May 26, 2025 - May 23, 2026
  • Housing: Yes*

* Housing expenses are paid for during orientation for all Ferguson programs. For summer Ferguson RISE fellows, all housing expenses are paid by fellowship. Housing allowance may be available for 12-Month fellows up to $15,000 annually based on geographical region of appointment. Any fellow moving to a new geographical region for an appointment may receive up to $1,200 for relocation expenses.  

**** Stipend amount is determined by academic experience 

12-Month Post-Masters

  • Stipend Amount: $44,252
  • Orientation Dates: May 26, 2025 – June 6, 2025
  • Program Dates: May 26, 2025 – May 23, 2026
  • Housing: Yes*

* Housing expenses are paid for during orientation for all Ferguson programs. For summer Ferguson RISE fellows, all housing expenses are paid by fellowship. Housing allowance may be available for 12-Month fellows up to $15,000 annually based on geographical region of appointment. Any fellow moving to a new geographical region for an appointment may receive up to $1,200 for relocation expenses. 

6-Month Pre-Masters**

  • Stipend Amount: $13,716
  • Orientation Dates: May 26, 2025 -June 6, 2025
  • Program Dates: February 1, 2025 – July 31, 2025
  • Housing: No

**19 hours/week for 4 months + full time for 2 months=18.5 weeks)

6-Month Pre-Doc**

  • Stipend Amount: $15,725
  • Orientation Dates: May 26, 2025 - June 6, 2025
  • Program Dates: February 1, 2025 – July 31, 2025
  • Housing: No

**19 hours/week for 4 months + full time for 2 months=18.5 weeks)

Summer Pre-Doc

  • Stipend Amount: $9,870
  • Orientation Dates: May 26, 2025 - May 30, 2025***
  • Program Dates: May 26, 2025– July 31, 2025
  • Housing: Yes*

* Housing expenses are paid for during orientation for all Ferguson programs. For summer Ferguson RISE fellows, all housing expenses are paid by fellowship. Housing allowance may be available for 12-Month fellows up to $15,000 annually based on geographical region of appointment. Any fellow moving to a new geographical region for an appointment may receive up to $1,200 for relocation expenses.  

*** Summer fellows attend a one-week orientation only  

Summer Post-Masters

  • Stipend Amount: $8,936
  • Orientation Dates: May 26, 2025 - May 30, 2025***
  • Program Dates: May 26, 2025– July 31, 2025
  • Housing: Yes*

* Housing expenses are paid for during orientation for all Ferguson programs. For summer Ferguson RISE fellows, all housing expenses are paid by fellowship. Housing allowance may be available for 12-Month fellows up to $15,000 annually based on geographical region of appointment. Any fellow moving to a new geographical region for an appointment may receive up to $1,200 for relocation expenses.  

*** Summer fellows attend a one-week orientation only  

Summer Pre-Masters

  • Stipend Amount: $8,001
  • Orientation Dates: May 26, 2025 - May 30, 2025***
  • Program Dates: May 26, 2025– July 31, 2025
  • Housing: Yes*

* Housing expenses are paid for during orientation for all Ferguson programs. For summer Ferguson RISE fellows, all housing expenses are paid by fellowship. Housing allowance may be available for 12-Month fellows up to $15,000 annually based on geographical region of appointment. Any fellow moving to a new geographical region for an appointment may receive up to $1,200 for relocation expenses.  

*** Summer fellows attend a one-week orientation only  

Additional details are available upon acceptance

Please Note: 

The 2025 Ferguson RISE Application portal is OPEN.

  • Ferguson 6-Month RISE Applications are due December 2, 2024.
  • Summer and 12-Month Ferguson RISE Applications are due January 31, 2025.

All activities are contingent on the availability of federal funds.

Program dates may be subject to adjustments.

For questions about the Ferguson RISE Fellowship, don't hesitate to email Ferguson_Fellowship@KennedyKrieger.org. Please visit this website and the CDC website for up-to-date information on program modifications.