Program Overview:
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 Fellowship begins on Monday, February 6, 2023 with a 2-day virtual Orientation and concludes Thursday, August 3, 2023. Ferguson RISE-Summer Fellowship begins Monday, May 29, 2023 and ends August 3, 2023. Ferguson RISE-12 begins Monday, May 29, 2023 and ends Friday, May 24, 2024. The in-person program Orientation for ALL scholars begins on Labor Day, Monday, May 29, 2023. Orientation registration and seminars will begin on Monday, May 29, through Friday, June 2, 2023 for Ferguson-Summer Fellowship and Orientation continues through Friday, June 9 for Ferguson-6 and Ferguson-12. Ferguson RISE-Summer fellows assigned to CDC mentors will be introduced on Friday, June 3, 2022.
Following Orientation, the Ferguson RISE-Summer fellows begin their research experience on Monday, June 5, 2023, and end on Friday, July 28, 2023. Ferguson RISE Research Symposium is planned for Wednesday, August 2, 2023 and Thursday, August 3, 2023. Ferguson RISE-Summer fellows will participate in Wednesday Research Accountability Groups and Public Health seminars beginning Wednesday, June 7, 2023. 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, Morgan State University, 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 Morgan State University 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. On Monday, July 24, 2023 through Wednesday, July 26, 2023, Ferguson RISE fellows may participate in the CDC Showcase and Expo. On Wednesday, August 2, 2023 and Thursday, August 3, 2023, 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.
- Sponsorship to attend a national scientific meeting.
Expectations and Objectives:
Ferguson RISE Fellows are expected to:
- Attend weekly virtual Research Accountability Groups and public health summer seminars
- Develop and present their research at the Ferguson Fellowship 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:
The Center for Diversity 2023 Ferguson RISE Application has closed.
For More Information:
For additional program information, please contact Ferguson_Fellowship@KennedyKrieger.org or see our frequently asked questions.