The Global Health Program for Fellows and Scholars: NIH Fogarty Launching Future Leaders in Global Health Research Training Program (LAUNCH) is a prestigious international research training initiative at Washington State University designed to develop the next generation of global health leaders. Supported by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) through the Fogarty International Center, the program provides early-career researchers, postdoctoral fellows, and health professionals with hands-on research experience, expert mentorship, and opportunities to collaborate with leading institutions around the world. Participants gain advanced skills in global health research while addressing critical health challenges in low- and middle-income countries.
This guide explains the program’s eligibility requirements, benefits, application process, participating institutions, and important deadlines for prospective applicants.
Status: Not accepting applications at this time
Not accepting applications for new consortia. Applications from potential trainees (individuals): Fogarty currently supports seven LAUNCH consortia, each with its own unique training program and application process (links provided below). ACHIEVE Fully Funded Global Health Research Training Opportunity.
NIH Fogarty Launch Announcement(s)
Grant Opportunity Forecast
- LAUNCHing Leaders for Future U.S. Investments in Global Health Research (D43 Clinical Trial Optional) (RFA-TW-25-002)
Consortia
- Expired announcement: Launching Future Leaders in Global Health (LAUNCH) Research Training Program (RFA-TW-21-004) (for U.S. consortia)
Trainees (for Individuals)
- Fogarty currently supports seven LAUNCH consortia, each with its own unique training program and application process (links provided below).
Deadlines
- Deadlines for applications from potential trainees are available on the consortium websites (links provided below).
Eligibility
Consortia (for Institutions)
- Applications for new consortia are not being accepted at this time.
Trainees (for Individuals)
- See consortium websites below for trainee eligibility requirements.
About Launching Future Leaders in Global Health (LAUNCH) Research
The current Global Health Fellows and Scholars Program, Launching Future Leaders in Global Health (LAUNCH) Research Training Program, builds on the successes and experiences of the Fogarty Global Health Training Program (2017-2022). This program continues to support one (1)-year mentored research training in global health at established biomedical and health research institutions and project sites in LMICs. Opportunities will be provided to predoctoral and pre-professional trainees from the U.S. and postdoctoral and post-professional trainees from the U.S. and LMICs.
Current Awards (Consortia)
The current six consortia and their training programs are listed below. Note: Questions about a training program (including application process for individuals) should be directed to the corresponding consortium.
- Addressing the Research Capacity Gap in Global Child and Adolescent Health Disparities Utilizing Implementation and Data Sciences among Vulnerable Populations in Resource-limited Settings (ACHIEVE)
- Global Health Emerging Scholars
- INSIGHT Fogarty Launch Research Training
- Northern Pacific Global Health Leadership, Education, and Development for Early-Career Researchers (NPGH LEADERs)
- Partnership for Global Health Research Training Program (HBNU)
- UJMT Global Consortium: Building Research Capacity through Mentored Training (UJMT)
- University of California Global Health Institute Program for Fellows and Scholars (GLOCAL)
- National Institutes of Health (NIH) programs with LAUNCH
NIH Fogarty LAUNCH Program Overview
Full Name: Launching Future Leaders in Global Health Research Training Program (LAUNCH)
Also known as: Global Health Program for Fellows and Scholars / Fogarty Fellows and Scholars Program
LAUNCH is the flagship early-career global health research training programme of the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) Fogarty International Center. It provides one-year mentored research training opportunities for emerging scientists from the United States and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
Core Purpose
The programme aims to build the next generation of global health research leaders by giving early-career researchers hands-on, mentored experience conducting research at established biomedical and health research institutions and project sites in LMICs. Trainees develop and carry out their own research projects under dual mentorship (U.S. and LMIC-based mentors).
Structure and Duration
- Duration: 12 months of mentored research training
- Location: Research is conducted primarily at partner sites in LMICs
- Orientation: Trainees typically begin with a week-long orientation at or near the NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland
- Support: Living stipend, research funds, travel support, and (for U.S. trainees) health insurance
Who Can Apply
Eligibility varies slightly by consortium, but generally includes:
- U.S. applicants: Predoctoral / pre-professional trainees (e.g., PhD, MD, or equivalent students) and postdoctoral / post-professional trainees
- LMIC applicants: Postdoctoral and post-professional trainees from low- and middle-income countries
Candidates apply through one of the participating consortia (they may apply to only one consortium at a time). Former postdoctoral LAUNCH trainees are usually ineligible to reapply.
Current Consortia Model
LAUNCH operates through a network of U.S. university-led consortia, each with its own partner institutions in LMICs, thematic focus areas, and application process. Fogarty currently supports seven consortia. One of them is ACHIEVE (Addressing the Research Capacity Gap in Global Child and Adolescent Health Disparities Utilizing Implementation and Data Sciences among Vulnerable Populations in Resource-limited Settings), led by Washington University in St. Louis, which focuses on implementation science and data science related to child and adolescent health disparities.
Other known consortia include programmes led by groups such as the University of California (GloCal), Northern Pacific Global Health (NPGH LEADERs), and others.
Key Features and Evolution
- The programme traces its roots to 2003 and celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2023.
- It was formally renamed LAUNCH to better reflect its goal of launching research careers.
- Recent cycles have emphasised greater equity: LMIC trainees now receive short-term training experiences in the U.S., and efforts are made to increase participation of underrepresented groups from the U.S.
- Research topics have broadened beyond infectious diseases (especially HIV/AIDS) to include non-communicable diseases, mental health, maternal and child health, implementation science, climate and health, and more.
Impact
- Over more than 20 years, the programme (and its predecessors) has trained more than 1,300–1,450 early-career researchers.
- Trainees have worked in dozens of countries and produced thousands of peer-reviewed publications.
- A majority of surveyed alumni report continuing careers in global health; many have gone on to leadership roles at organisations such as WHO, UNICEF, UNAIDS, CDC, NIH, and national research institutes in LMICs.
How to Apply
Applications are not submitted directly to Fogarty. Instead, interested individuals apply to one of the active consortia through that consortium’s own website and process. Deadlines and specific eligibility criteria differ by consortium.
For the most current list of consortia, eligibility details, and application links, visit the official Fogarty page:
https://fic.nih.gov/Programs/Pages/scholars-fellows-global-health.aspx
Note: As of the latest available information, Fogarty is not accepting applications for new consortia. Individual trainee applications continue through the existing consortia.
Benefits of being a LAUNCH Ambassador
- Hone your leadership, collaboration, and interpersonal communication skills
- Develop your teaching and mentorship abilities
- Learn more about WSU resources and the different ways to get involved with experiential learning
- Help others get the most out of their time at WSU
- Grow as a person as you learn about yourself and others
- Be a part of a community and build strong relationships with faculty
In short, LAUNCH is NIH Fogarty’s primary mechanism for launching early-career global health researchers through intensive, mentored, one-year research experiences in LMICs, with a strong emphasis on building long-term research capacity and leadership on both sides of the U.S.–LMIC partnership.