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The Dr. James A. Ferguson Emerging Infectious Diseases Research Initiatives for Student Enhancement (Ferguson RISE) Graduate 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. The optimal format for the public health research experiences is in-person; however, hybrid and virtual options are available.

Ferguson RISE Fellows complete mentored research experiences at sites across the nation. Ferguson RISE Fellowship's partnering institutions include: the CDC, Kennedy Krieger (lead agency), City University of New York (CUNY) School of Public Health, Howard University, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Morehouse School of Medicine, Olive View-UCLA Education & Research Institute, and Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University. Each year, we invite new collaborations with other universities and state public health departments where fellows may be placed. Focal research areas include Advanced Molecular Detection and Wastewater Surveillance.

Eligibility for Summer Program

  • Applicants must be a US citizen, US National, or permanent resident.
  • Summer program applicants are required to be enrolled as a full-time graduate student in one of the following graduate programs for the duration of the fellowship: medical, dental, pharmacy, veterinary, public health, allied health, social sciences or a related program (e.g., biomedical sciences, microbiology, physics, chemistry, etc.).
  • The Ferguson RISE Fellowship is for talented graduate scholars with at least a 3.0 GPA or better on a 4.0 scale.
  • Applicants must be able to commit to participating in program activities full-time for the length of the Ferguson RISE Fellowship. Some program activities require in-person attendance.

Eligibility for 12-Month Program 

  • Applicants must be a US citizen, US National, or permanent resident.
  • 12-month Ferguson RISE Fellowship applicants are required to meet one of the following eligibility criteria:
    • Completed one of the following graduate programs within the 12 months preceding the fellowship start date: medical, dental, pharmacy, veterinary, public health, allied health, social sciences or a related program (e.g., biomedical sciences, microbiology, physics, chemistry, etc.) 

      OR
       
    • Doctoral candidate in one of the graduate programs above who has completed all graduate requirements (coursework, preliminary exams, research proposal) except for the dissertation (i.e., all but dissertation).
  • The Ferguson RISE Fellowship is for talented graduate scholars with at least a 3.0 GPA or better on a 4.0 scale.
  • Applicants must be able to commit to participating in program activities full-time for the length of the Ferguson RISE Fellowship. Some program activities require in-person attendance.

Timeline

Application submission period: November 3, 2025 to January 31, 2026

Interviews and application status notification: March 2026

Summer fellowship term: May 25, 2026 to July 24, 2026 

  • In-person orientation May 25 to May 29, 2026
  • Final research symposium during last week of program

12-month fellowship term: May 25, 2026 to May 21, 2027

  • In-person orientation May 25, 2026 to –June 5, 2026
  • Final research symposium during last week of the program

Curriculum

  • Mentored research experience
  • Academic and professional coaching
  • Research and Scientific Writing Groups
  • Research seminar series
  • Develop and present research at a formal closing symposium
  • Fellows at Kennedy Krieger may also gain clinical experience

Benefits

Stipends provided by Kennedy Krieger Institute based on federal rates for the fellow's academic level

  • 12-Month Post-Doc: $62,652
  • 12-Month Post-Master's: $48,300
  • Summer Pre-Doc: $10,294
  • Summer Post-Master's: $9,056
  • Summer Pre-Master's:  $8,644
  • Additional details are available upon acceptance

Housing

  • Housing is provided during in-person orientation
    • Summer Program: 1 week
    • 12-month Program: 2 weeks
  • Summer Program: all housing expenses are covered
  • 12-month Program: Housing allowance may be available up to $15,000 annually based on the geographic region of appointment.
  • Any fellow moving to a new geographic region for an appointment may receive up to $1,200 for relocation expenses.   

Sponsorship to attend a national scientific meeting

How to Apply

Submit your application

You will be required to provide:

  • Resume
    • PDF format
    • File titled last name_first name_resume
  • Unofficial undergraduate transcript
    • PDF format
    • File titled last name_first name_ugtranscript
    • Includes your name and name of institution
  • Unofficial graduate transcript
    • PDF format
    • File titled last name_first name_gradtranscript
    • Includes your name and name of institution
  • Name, email and phone number for at least two faculty references

Policies 

  • Applications submitted after the application deadline will not be considered.
  • Program Staff will not make any changes to submitted applications. Please review your application carefully before submitting it, especially the email addresses you enter for your referees.
  • All activities are contingent on the availability of federal funds.
  • Program dates may be subject to adjustments.
  • Fellowship programs require attendance on full-time basis. Some program activities require in-person attendance.
  • 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.

Please Note

The Ferguson RISE Fellowship application portal is open. 

Beginning in 2026, the Ferguson RISE Fellowship and EMERGEncy ID Net will co-sponsor the 12-month Ferguson RISE - EMERGEncy ID Net Fellowship, offered to early-career physicians. The goal of the fellowship is to perpetuate the UCLA Emergency Department’s legacy in bridging emergency medicine and public health.