CDC Undergraduate Public Health Scholars (CUPS) / Ferguson Programs

Intern and Fellowship Programs

2020 OMHHE Internship Opportunities

OMHHE sponsors the CDC Undergraduate Public Health Scholars (CUPS) Program, consisting of seven internship opportunities taking place at five partner institutions. CUPS creates a public health workplace experience to increase student interest in minority health and health professions. Every year, CUPS enrolls a diverse and talented group of students and provides them with an opportunity to turn knowledge into real world experience in a public health setting.

See highlights from the CUPS Student Showcase and Expo.

CDC’s Office of Minority Health and Health Equity (OMHHE) supports internship opportunities for eligible undergraduate and graduate students selected to gain meaningful experiences in public health settings.

group of students attending CUPS orientation
Columbia University Program
SPHSP

Application Deadline: Friday, January 31, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. EST
Program Dates: Tuesday, May 26, 2020 to Wednesday, July 29, 2020
Duration: 10 weeks

Brief Description: The Summer Public Health Scholars Program (SPHSP) is designed for undergraduate students and its goal is to increase interest in and knowledge of public health and biomedical science careers. SPHSP is a partnership of the Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, College of Dental Medicineexternal icon, School of Nursingexternal icon, and the Mailman School of Public Healthexternal icon.

The program is designed for undergraduates entering their junior or senior year and recent baccalaureate degree students who are undecided about their career goals. This is a rigorous program which includes public health coursework at Columbia University; hands-on field experience and immersion in a diverse, economically disadvantaged urban environment; seminars and lectures with public health leaders; and mentoring by faculty members, ensuring students’ exposure to the range and importance of public health as a career option.

Point of Contact: Danielle Joyner, MPH
Email: sphsp@cumc.columbia.edu
Phone: (212) 305-4157

Kennedy Krieger Institute (KKI) Programs
Kennedy Krieger Institute

Application Deadline:   Friday, January 31, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. EST
Program Dates:  Monday, May 25, 2020 to Wednesday, July 29, 2020
Duration: 10 weeks

Brief Description: Maternal Child Health Careers/Research Initiatives for Student Enhancement-Undergraduate Program (MCHC/RISE-UP) is a national consortium of institutions. They include: the Kennedy Krieger Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Nursing, and Public Health, University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine Center for Disabilities, and University of California, Davis MIND Institute partnering with UC-Davis Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The consortium provides opportunities for enhanced public health leadership in the area of maternal and child health. MCHC/RISE-UP focuses on the social determinants of health, CDC Winnable Battles, elimination of health disparities, health care services for marginalized populations, and evaluation and treatment of developmental disabilities.

Diverse undergraduate junior, senior, and recent baccalaureate degree scholars (within 12 months of the MCHC/RISE-UP orientation) who are interested in learning more about public health and maternal and child health are encouraged to apply. Scholars must have at least a 2.7 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Three experiential public health leadership tracks are offered: (1) clinical, (2) research, and (3) community engagement and advocacy. MCHC/RISE-UP’s ultimate goal is to promote equitable health care systems by encouraging graduate education and career opportunities in public health, clinical, policy, and research fields for diverse populations of scholars.

Following orientation (Monday, May 25 through Thursday, May 28, 2020), the scholars at the Kennedy Krieger Institute and University of South Dakota sites will begin their MCHC/RISE-UP experience on June 1, 2020 and end on July 29, 2020. Following orientation week, University of California-Davis scholars will begin their summer experience on Monday, June 15, 2020 and end on July 29, 2020.

Website:  kennedykrieger.org/RISE-UPexternal icon

Point of Contact: Dr. Jenese McFadden, Program Manager
Email: MCHC-RISE-UP@kennedykrieger.org
Phone: (443) 923-5901
Fax: (443) 923-5875

Kennedy Drieger Institute logo

Application Deadline:  Friday, January 31, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. EST
Program Dates:   Monday, May 25, 2020 to Wednesday, July 29, 2020
Duration: 10 weeks

Brief Description: The Dr. James A. Ferguson Emerging Infectious Diseases RISE Fellowship (Ferguson) is a ten-week summer program that provides research-based educational and professional development experience for graduate level scholars interested in infectious diseases, public health, mental health, maternal and child health and/or health disparities research.  Fellows work with research mentors at CDC or Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Nursing, and Bloomberg School of Public Health and the Maryland State or Baltimore City Department of Health.  Baltimore City locations offer Ferguson RISE fellows laboratory, clinical, state, and community-based research experiences. Fellows in Baltimore work with research mentors on projects related to infectious diseases, health disparities, mental health, developmental disabilities, substance abuse, and epidemiology.  The CDC site in Atlanta offers research externships focused primarily on infectious diseases.  Other CDC-based opportunities may include prevention of injury and other CDC research initiatives.  Ferguson RISE fellows receive professional guidance to present their research at a national scientific meeting, as federal funding allows. The overarching goal of the Ferguson RISE Fellowship is to promote diversity among future public health research leaders.

Following Baltimore City Orientation (Monday, May 25 through Thursday, May 28, 2020), the Ferguson RISE Fellows at the CDC will continue orientation at the CDC on Friday, May 29, 2020.  Ferguson RISE Fellows research experience begins on June 1, 2020 and end on July 29, 2020.

Website: kennedykrieger.org/Fergusonexternal icon

Point of Contact:  Dr. Jenese McFadden, Program Manager
Email: Ferguson_Fellowship@kennedykrieger.org
Phone: (443) 923-5901
Fax: (443) 923-5875

Morehouse College Programs
Morehouse College Project IMHOTEP

Application Deadline:   Friday, January 31, 2020 at 11:59 pm EST
Program Dates: Monday, May 18, 2020 to Friday, July 31, 2020
Duration: 11 weeks

Brief Description: Morehouse College’s Project IMHOTEP is an 11-week summer internship designed to increase the knowledge and skills of underrepresented minority students in biostatistics, epidemiology, and occupational safety and health.

The program begins with two weeks of intense educational training in the following public health courses: Public Health & Health Disparities, Epidemiology, Biostatistics (with SPSS training), and Scientific Writing. The purpose of this training is to equip interns with the academic information necessary to successfully complete the program. During the following nine weeks, interns are paired in a one-on-one mentored relationship with experts at CDC, academic institutions, local and state agencies, or community-based organizations to complete a public health research project. In addition, interns participate in a variety of seminars, workshops, educational initiatives and are required to complete 16 hours of community service.

Website:  morehouse.edu/phsi/imhotepexternal icon

Point of Contact: IMHOTEP Program Manager
Email: phsi@morehouse.edu
Phone: (470) 639-0597

Morehouse College PHLPF - Public Health Leader Fellowship Program

Application Deadline:  Friday, January 31, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. EST
Program Dates: Monday, May 18, 2020 to Friday, July 31, 2020
Duration: 11 weeks

Brief Description: The CDC Public Health Leader Fellowship Program (PHLFP) at Morehouse College is a 10-week summer program designed to prepare underrepresented, culturally sensitive, undergraduate students for leadership roles in the field of public health. A principal aim of the program is education the students on the tools and practices for reducing health disparities.

Throughout the duration of the internship, students participate in weekly forums with opportunities for learning about public health leadership challenges faced by accomplished guest lecturers with experience across a broad range of sectors. Students also receive weekly coaching support and participate in a leadership skills webinar series. The content of this leadership curriculum is based on the following public health leadership competencies: public health leadership; collaboration and partnerships; articulating mission and vision; dialogue; team building; developing collaborative relationships to achieve goals; applying social justice principles; motivating others; and demonstrating transparency, integrity, and honesty in all actions.

The CDC Public Health Leader Fellowship Program at Morehouse College is geared toward currently enrolled or recently graduated students at the undergraduate level with an interest in reducing health disparities through careers in public health.

The program includes 2 weeks of public health educational training at Morehouse College. During the remaining 8 weeks of the program, each student is paired with a mentor to conduct a hands-on research project within CDC’s National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention (NCHHSTP). Students also participate in a 3-day culminating capstone session at CDC headquarters in Atlanta.

Website:  morehouse.edu/phsi/phlfp.htmlexternal icon

Point of Contact: PHLFP Program Manager
Email: phsi@morehouse.edu
Phone: (470) 639-0597

University of Michigan Program
University of Michigan FPHLP - Future Public Health Leaders Program logo

Application Deadline:  Friday, January 31, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. EST
Program Dates:  Tuesday, May 26, 2020 to Sunday, July 31, 2020
Duration: 10 weeks

Brief Description: The Future Public Health Leaders Program (FPHLP) is a 10-week residential program at the University of Michigan, School of Public Health (UM-SPH) designed to encourage underrepresented college students to consider careers in public health. The program is intended for college students in their sophomore, junior, or senior year who are undecided about their career goals and are in good academic standing in their area of study. Students are not required to have previous experience in public health. Participants receive leadership training, orientation to the public health disciplines, and real-world work experiences. The program is meant to foster knowledge of, excitement about, and commitment to health equity. The program includes public health and career mentorship, hands-on and practical field experience, seminars, lectures, and workshops with public health leaders.

Website: sph.umich.edu/fphlp/Externalexternal icon

Point of Contact: Hannah Hoelscher
Email: fphl.program@umich.edu
Phone: (734) 763-8688

University of California, Los Angeles
UCLA Public Health Scholars Training Program

Application Deadline: Friday, January 31, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. EST
Program Dates:  Sunday, June 21, 2020 to Friday, August 14, 2020
Duration: 8 weeks

Brief Description: The UCLA Public Health Scholars Training Program is an 8-week program that provides undergraduate students the opportunity to explore the field of public health through hands-on training, structured workshops, group excursions, and leadership and professional development. Located in Los Angeles, the program offers scholars the opportunity to train at UCLA, to explore public health in one of the most diverse counties in the U.S., and to experience the city’s vibrant culture. We work with community-based organizations, health systems, and government agencies to offer field placement opportunities for scholars that focus on health equity.

Scholars are placed at these partnering organizations throughout Los Angeles where they are exposed to the spectrum of public health practice and provided with professional mentors. To supplement field work, scholars attend workshops, develop leadership and professional skills, and receive mentoring from graduate students and faculty. Scholars become a part of a motivated community invested in creating healthy futures for all.

Website:  ph.ucla.eduexternal icon

Point of Contact: Lindsay Rice
Email: phscholars@ph.ucla.edu
Phone: (310) 206-3526

Page last reviewed: December 15, 2020