Applications have opened for the third cohort of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) African Public Health Emergency Management Fellowship, an initiative designed to strengthen Africa’s ability to respond to public health crises. The six-month fellowship is fully funded and will begin in June 2026, with applications open until March 31, 2026.
The program targets mid-career public health professionals from across the continent and aims to build a skilled workforce capable of coordinating and leading emergency responses. By investing in practical training and leadership development, the fellowship is expected to play an important role in improving how African countries prepare for and manage health emergencies.
Public health threats continue to challenge many parts of the continent, from disease outbreaks to environmental health risks. Experts say that one of the most effective ways to address these threats is by strengthening the human resources that manage them. The fellowship is designed to do exactly that by preparing professionals who can detect risks early, coordinate responses and build stronger emergency systems in their home countries.
The program aligns with the **African Union’s broader vision of developing sustainable health systems and strengthening the continent’s capacity to manage its own public health challenges. It also supports the goals of the Africa Health Security and Sovereignty Agenda, which calls for long-term investment in workforce development across Africa.
Building Africa’s Emergency Health Leadership
The main goal of the fellowship is to develop a strong group of African public health professionals who can lead preparedness and response efforts during emergencies. Fellows will gain up-to-date knowledge on public health emergency management and the role of Public Health Emergency Operations Centers.
These operations centers play a critical role in coordinating responses during disease outbreaks and other public health crises. Through the fellowship, participants will receive in-depth exposure to how these centers operate and how they support national emergency systems.
Participants will also build practical skills in managing the different functions of emergency operations centers. This includes coordinating response teams, managing data and logistics, and overseeing the rapid mobilization of resources during emergencies.
Another key objective of the program is to help establish a sustainable public health emergency management program across the continent. By training professionals from different countries, the fellowship helps create a shared knowledge base that can strengthen regional cooperation during health crises.
A Six-Month Program with Practical Training
The Public Health Emergency Management Fellowship is structured as a six-month residential program that requires full-time commitment from selected fellows. The third cohort will be hosted at two training sites: the Africa CDC headquarters in Ethiopia and the Southern Regional Collaborative Centre in Zambia.
The program begins with fourteen weeks of in-person classes. During this period, fellows receive structured training and are paired with experienced mentors who guide them throughout the learning process.
This classroom phase is followed by two weeks of study tours. Each fellow will visit one public health emergency operations center within Africa and another outside the continent. These visits allow participants to observe different systems and learn how other countries manage emergency responses.
The program then moves into a four-week field placement where fellows work directly in emergency operations centers and response settings. This hands-on experience allows them to apply what they have learned in real situations.
The final four weeks are dedicated to project completion, program evaluation and graduation.
Who Can Apply
The fellowship is designed for mid-career professionals working in public health across African Union member states. Applicants must be citizens of an AU member country and must be working full time in a government public health institution.
Candidates must also hold a postgraduate degree in public health or a related field. Relevant professional experience may include areas such as emergency operations center management, medicine, health policy, health economics, logistics and supply chains, animal health or environmental health.
Applicants must be 50 years old or younger by July 31, 2026.
The program specifically encourages professionals who already lead emergency preparedness and response programs or who have experience managing public health emergency operations centers.
Candidates must also demonstrate the potential to implement emergency management programs that can positively impact their home countries after completing the fellowship.
Selection will be conducted by an independent committee made up of experts from the African Union Commission, Africa CDC and technical partners. The process will be merit-based and will follow an equal opportunity approach to ensure representation from underrepresented groups across the continent.
Africa CDC will determine the final training site allocation for selected fellows.
