Africa Epidemic Services (AES) – Epidemiology Track Fellowship 2026/2028 (Fully Funded)

Applications are now open for the Africa Epidemic Services (AES) – Epidemiology Track Fellowship 2026/2028, a prestigious fully funded two-year fellowship offered by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) under the African Union. The fellowship is designed to strengthen Africa's public health workforce by equipping early- and mid-career professionals with advanced skills in applied epidemiology, disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, and emergency response.

As one of Africa CDC's flagship workforce development initiatives, the programme prepares the next generation of field epidemiologists capable of preventing, detecting, and responding to infectious disease outbreaks across African Union Member States. Fellows will benefit from intensive classroom training, hands-on field placements, mentorship from leading public health experts, and full financial support throughout the programme.

About the Africa Epidemic Services Fellowship

The Africa Epidemic Services (AES) Programme was established by Africa CDC to build a highly skilled workforce capable of addressing public health threats across the continent. Developed under the Africa Health Workforce Compact, the fellowship supports the African Union's Agenda 2063 by investing in professionals who can strengthen disease prevention, surveillance, preparedness, and emergency response systems.

The AES Programme consists of three specialized tracks:

• Epidemiology
• Laboratory Leadership
• Public Health Informatics

Fellowship Benefits

The fellowship is fully funded, and selected fellows will receive:

• Full tuition and training costs.
• International and local travel support.
• Monthly stipends.
• Health insurance coverage.
• Learning and development materials.
• Computer hardware and required software.
• Mentorship from experienced epidemiologists and public health professionals.
• Hands-on field training in African Union Member States.
• Access to Africa CDC's continental network of public health experts.
• Internationally recognized training in applied epidemiology.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Be a citizen of an African Union Member State.
• Be under the age of 35 years, in line with the African Union's definition of youth.
• Be employed in an African country at the time of application.
• Obtain written permission from their employing government institution to participate in the two-year programme and return to their position after completion.
• Hold a Bachelor's or Master's degree in:
  • Human Medicine
  • Nursing
  • Veterinary Medicine
  • Public Health
  • Environmental Sciences
  • One Health
  • Or another related discipline.
• Have completed coursework in epidemiology or quantitative research methods and biostatistics.
• Have at least three years of recent full-time postgraduate public health experience in an African country.
• Demonstrate the ability to prepare scientific reports and technical public health communications.
• Be proficient in at least one African Union official language (English, French, Arabic, Portuguese, Spanish, or Kiswahili). Knowledge of an additional AU language is an added advantage.

Required Documents

Applicants must submit:

• A valid national passport from an African Union Member State.
• An official employer support letter granting permission to participate in the fellowship and confirming the applicant's right to return to work after completion.
• Two professional recommendation letters.
• Degree certificates and official academic transcripts.
• A Curriculum Vitae using the mandatory African Union CV template.
• A motivation statement (maximum 500 words) explaining why the applicant is suitable for the programme and how the fellowship will benefit their country's public health system.
• Optional evidence of additional relevant qualifications.

Why You Should Apply

The Africa Epidemic Services Fellowship provides an exceptional opportunity for public health professionals to gain advanced expertise in applied epidemiology while contributing directly to disease prevention and outbreak response across Africa. Participants will receive world-class training, mentorship, and practical field experience that prepares them for leadership roles within ministries of health, national public health institutes, and international health organizations.

Graduates of the programme become part of a growing network of highly trained epidemiologists working to strengthen Africa's capacity to detect and respond to public health emergencies. With increasing global attention on epidemic preparedness, the fellowship offers valuable professional development that can significantly enhance participants' careers while improving health security across the continent.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should:

1. Visit the official African Union recruitment portal.
2. Download and complete the mandatory African Union CV template.
3. Prepare all required supporting documents.
4. Complete the online application form.
5. Upload all required documents before the deadline.