The NIH supported Global Health Emerging Scholars (GHES) Fellowship 2026–2027 benefits and eligibility is now available and Applications now open. Applications are currently being accepted for the 2026–2027 Global Health Emerging Scholars (GHES) Fellowship. This is a fully mentored, 12-month research training programme designed to equip emerging researchers with the skills, knowledge, and networks needed to tackle health inequities and advance population health on a global scale.
Sponsorship: Funded by the Fogarty International Center and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) under the LAUNCH initiative. The fellowship offers advanced research training, structured mentorship, and opportunities for international collaboration. It is open to pre-doctoral, post-doctoral, and post-professional trainees based in the United States as well as in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
Application deadline: 1 October 2026
About the GHES Fellowship Programme
The GHES Fellowship is a competitive initiative focused on building the next generation of global health researchers. Fellows pursue independent research projects that confront pressing worldwide health challenges. Priority themes include:
- Health inequalities — Examining the social, economic, and structural factors that create uneven health outcomes across populations and identifying strategies to reduce those gaps.
- Infectious diseases — Investigating the spread, prevention, and control of both established and emerging infections that disproportionately affect vulnerable communities.
- Noncommunicable diseases — Studying chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, with an emphasis on prevention and management in resource-constrained settings.
- Environmental health challenges — Exploring how climate change, pollution, and other environmental risks affect human health and developing sustainable responses.
- Maternal and child health — Addressing issues related to pregnancy, childbirth, newborn care, and the health of children in underserved regions.
- Mental health — Focusing on the burden of mental illness, access to care, and culturally appropriate interventions.
- Healthcare access — Identifying barriers that prevent people from obtaining timely, quality services and testing solutions to overcome them.
- Health systems strengthening — Working on ways to improve the organisation, financing, and delivery of healthcare so systems can better serve populations.
- Innovative solutions for resource-limited settings — Designing practical, low-cost approaches that can be implemented where infrastructure and funding are limited.
Fellows collaborate with leading researchers at U.S. institutions and partner sites in LMICs, gaining hands-on experience in cross-border research teams.
Host Institutions of this GHES Fellowship
The programme is delivered through a consortium of major U.S. universities:
- Yale University
- Stanford University
- University of Arizona
- University of California, Berkeley
These institutions work closely with research training sites across multiple LMICs, giving fellows structured opportunities for international fieldwork, data collection, and mentorship.
What Fellows Receive
Selected participants gain access to a comprehensive package of support, including:
- A full year of mentored global health research training that combines independent project work with regular guidance.
- Direct mentorship from established global health investigators who help shape research design, analysis, and career planning.
- Practical research development assistance, such as help refining study protocols, navigating ethics review, and preparing manuscripts.
- Opportunities for international collaboration that connect fellows with research teams and communities in partner countries.
- Professional development activities covering skills such as scientific writing, grant preparation, presentation, and leadership.
- Entry into broader global health research networks that can support long-term career growth.
The fellowship year normally runs from July to June.
Eligibility Participants to Apply for GHES Fellowship
The programme welcomes applicants at different stages of their research careers.
- U.S. Trainees: Doctoral students (PhD, DrPH), professional students (MD, DDS, DVM, PharmD), and postdoctoral fellows.
- LMIC Trainees: Postdoctoral and post-professional fellows from affiliated partner institutions in low- and middle-income countries
Pre-doctoral applicants may include:
- Students currently enrolled in a PhD or equivalent research doctoral programme.
- Health professional students who choose to interrupt their clinical or professional training temporarily in order to pursue a full year of dedicated research.
Post-doctoral and post-professional applicants must have completed a doctoral-level degree by the fellowship start date. Accepted qualifications include PhD, MD, DDS, DrPH, DVM, PharmD, MBBS, MBChB, nursing research doctorates, and other comparable doctoral credentials. Postgraduate clinical trainees who wish to dedicate a year to full-time research training are also eligible.
Mentorship Requirements
Because GHES is a mentored fellowship, every applicant must secure support from two designated mentors before applying:
- A primary U.S. mentor affiliated with one of the four participating universities (Yale, Stanford, University of Arizona, or UC Berkeley).
- A primary LMIC mentor based at a GHES collaborating research institution in an eligible low- or middle-income country.
Mentors should share research interests that closely match the applicant’s proposed project so they can provide relevant scientific and career guidance.
Priority Research Areas
Core Focus Areas:
- Urbanization & Poverty: Health challenges tied to informal settlements and slums.
- Key Health Topics: Chronic/noncommunicable diseases, infectious diseases (including HIV/STIs), environmental health, maternal and child health, mental health, and trauma/injuries.
Applications are especially encouraged in the following domains:
1. Health inequities and health systems
Projects that improve access to care, strengthen health systems, enhance service delivery in resource-limited environments, or promote more efficient use of limited healthcare resources.
2. Infectious diseases
Work on HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, emerging infectious threats, and practical prevention strategies tailored to high-burden settings.
3. Noncommunicable diseases
Research into chronic conditions, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes, with attention to prevention, early detection, and management where resources are scarce.
4. Environmental and planetary health
Studies examining climate-related health impacts, environmental hazards, and solutions that promote both human health and environmental sustainability.
5. Maternal and child health
6. Investigations focused on pregnancy outcomes, child survival and development, and the organisation of maternal and paediatric services.
7. Mental health and injury prevention
Projects addressing mental health needs, trauma, and both intentional and unintentional injuries, particularly in underserved populations.
How to Apply for Global Health Emerging Scholars (GHES) Fellowship
- Confirm eligibility — Carefully review the programme criteria for pre-doctoral, post-doctoral, or post-professional tracks.
- Choose a research focus — Select a topic that aligns with GHES priorities and your own long-term professional goals.
- Identify training site and mentors — Secure both a U.S. mentor from one of the consortium universities and an LMIC mentor from a partner institution. Both should be prepared to support your proposed work.
- Prepare application materials — Assemble the required documents (listed below) well ahead of the deadline so mentors have time to review and contribute.
Required documents typically include:
- Completed online application form
- Detailed research proposal (must follow GHES formatting guidelines; non-compliant proposals may not be reviewed)
- Two to three letters of recommendation (including one from the U.S. mentor and one from the LMIC mentor)
- Applicant’s NIH biosketch prepared via SciENcv using the NIH Common Form
- Mentors’ NIH biosketches
- Academic transcripts or equivalent documents where requested
Letters of recommendation must be written on institutional letterhead, include the mentor’s contact details, be addressed to the GHES Fellowship Selection Committee, signed by the mentor, and uploaded as PDF files.
Opportunities at a Glance
- Programme: Global Health Emerging Scholars (GHES) Fellowship 2026–2027
- Duration: 12 months
- Support: NIH-funded
- Focus: Global health research training
- Eligible applicants: Pre-doctoral trainees, post-doctoral researchers, and post-professional trainees from the United States and LMICs
- Key research themes: Health equity, disease prevention, health systems, environmental health, maternal and child health, mental health, and related global health challenges
- Deadline: 1 October 2026 (for the 2027–2028 cohort) at 5:00 PM Eastern Time.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit materials early to allow adequate time for mentor review and document finalisation. For full programme details, eligibility criteria, and the official application portal, visit the GHES Fellowship website.