Fellowships, Internships & Trainings

People meeting and writing on a white board

Internships and fellowships can hold immeasurable value for the career trajectory of future public health professionals – both at the early- and mid-career levels. While the terms “internship” and “fellowship” are often used interchangeably, the two differ in a few key ways, including the application process, the target applicant, the experience itself, and – yes – the money.

Generally, internships refer to programs for current students either during summer or during the school year.

Fellowships vary in structure and format. Some are six-month short-term programs to get a taste of government, while others are more extensive two-year programs and are entry-level rotational programs for recent graduates.


HRTP: A Public Health Internship Program at the NYC Health Department

HRTP: A Public Health Internship Program at the NYC Health Department is one of the oldest and largest public health traineeships in the country

For over 50 years, HRTP has provided the opportunity for undergraduate, graduate and professional school students to experience some of the real life challenges of public health. By working on current relevant public health issues under the close supervision and mentorship of experienced professionals, students apply classroom learning to practical problems in a closely matched practicum. 

HRTP operates in three sessions:

☛ Summer Session: June–August | Application Deadline: February

  • Full-time: Maximum 35 hours per week
  • Part-time: Minimum 20 hours per week

☛ Fall Session*: September–December | Application Deadline: August
Part-time only: Between 10 and 20 hours per week

☛ Winter/Spring*: January–May | Application Deadline: November
Part-time only: Between 10 and 20 hours per week

* These  sessions are open to local students only. NYC residency is required.

To learn more about how to apply and to learn more about the program, please visit the HRTP website.


NYC Epi Scholars Program

The NYC Epi Scholars program is a full-time, paid 10-12 week summer internship program for top graduate epidemiology students at the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. 

Scholars receive supplemental training from senior researchers including training in theory, methods, and public health practice to enhance their understanding of the root causes of disease.

The NYC Epi Scholars program operates in one session:

☛ Summer Session: June–August | Application Deadline: February

To learn more about the program and how to apply, please visit the Epi Scholar website.


NYC Urban Fellows Program

The Urban Fellows Program is sponsored by The City of New York and administered by the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS). The Urban Fellows Program is a highly selective, nine-month fellowship which combines work in Mayoral offices and City agencies with volunteer service opportunities and a seminar series that explores current urban issues impacting public policy. The program is designed to introduce a diverse group of America's finest college students and graduates to local government and public service. Program participants come from all over the country to work in New York City.

After participating in an extensive interview process, New York City Urban Fellows are placed at an array of agencies across the City where they learn about public policy through a hands-on approach.

The unique opportunity to work with current decision makers and assist in the implementation of public policy distinguishes the Urban Fellows Program as the premier training program in government. Alumni are consistently found in leadership positions throughout government, as well as the private and non-profit sectors.

☛ Fellowship: September – May | Application Deadline: January

To learn more about the program and how to apply, please visit the Urban Fellows Program website.


LifeSci NYC Internship Program

The LifeSci NYC Internship Program is the City of New York's innovative, paid internship program to develop the City's next generation of life sciences leaders.

The program provides quality internships for undergraduate and graduate students while offering curriculum and training support with refined “hard” skills in the sciences and “soft” skills of professional and personal development. Host companies and organizations range from early-stage startups to large pharmaceutical and biotech firms to businesses that serve the industry in specific capacities, including marketing, public relations, or capital investment. To date, over 80 companies have served as hosts.

The program is looking for talented and dedicated students interested in pursuing science or business careers in the life sciences sector.

☛ For more information about the STEM-track, the Business-track and the Companies that served as hosts visit the LifeSci NYC | Information for Students website

☛ For more information about the Overview & Program Details (Program Objectives, Key Dates, Evaluation Criteria) please visit the LifeSci NYC website.

☛ To learn about new openings for full- and part-time jobs, spring and fall internships, upcoming career panels, and other program information, please sign up for the LifeSci NYC Internship Program Meetup.


NYC Leadership Development Fellowships

The NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) offers leadership development programs that train emerging and established professionals in new ways to lead change in their organizations and communities and enhance the vitality of the city's commercial districts. NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) helps unlock economic potential and create economic security for all New Yorkers by connecting New Yorkers to good jobs, creating stronger businesses, and building a fairer economy in neighborhoods across the five boroughs.

☛ Neighborhood 360° Fellows

Neighborhood 360° Fellows help community-based organizations complete commercial revitalization projects and connect local stakeholders to city resources. The Fellows are paid by the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) and are full-time community development professionals, community organizers, or planners. They aim to build a network of leaders prepared with commercial revitalization expertise and experience in New York City neighborhoods.

Neighborhood 360° Fellows are full-time, paid employees placed in New York City community-based organizations for 10 months to implement commercial revitalization projects and connect stakeholders to City resources. 

☛  Neighborhood Leadership Program

The nine-month program teaches innovative management strategies, how to support small businesses and strengthen commercial districts, and provides access to a network of more than 2,000 engaged alumni making positive change in New York City.

To learn more about the programs and how to apply, please visit the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) Leadership Development website.


Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) Fellowships

ASPPH fellowship and internship programs offer opportunities for current masters and doctoral level students and recent graduates to round out academic training and gain hands-on public health experience while continuing to develop professional skills and expertise in public health.


American Public Health Association (APHA) Internships & Fellowships

Both undergraduate and graduate students are eligible for unpaid APHA internships that offer practical work experience. Candidates should be working toward a bachelor, graduate, or postgraduate degree, and all majors are welcome. All internships are unpaid. APHA's fellowships aim to put public health into action by, among other things, increasing the visibility of public health in the policy process.

To learn more about how to apply and to learn more, please visit the APHA Fellowship & Internship page.


CDC Fellowships and Training Opportunities

Whether you are on a career track or deciding on which career you would like to pursue, CDC has many diverse fellowship, internship, training, and volunteer opportunities for students and professionals.

Visit this website for a detailed list of opportunities:


Sustaining Technical & Analytic Resources (STAR)  

Sustaining Technical and Analytic Resources (STAR) is a five-year project of the Public Health Institute, supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). STAR’s overall goal is to strengthen the capacity of global health professionals, organizations, and companies so they can implement stronger programs, achieve better results, and make a bigger impact in the global health field.

STAR provides a unique opportunity for individuals to gain skills and experience in global health through fellowship and internship placements in a variety of settings. Through fellowship and internship placements professionals will:

  • Gain hands-on experience in global health
  • Enhance knowledge and skill through individualized learning
  • Build a powerful global network

Visit this website for a detailed list of opportunities.


Administration & Health Management Fellowships

Administrative Fellowships are prestigious one or two-year programs designed as a fast track to transition top graduate students into operations management positions through focused mentoring, stretch assignments and leadership experiences.

Directories that provide a list of available postgraduate administrative fellowships are:

☛ American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) | Directory of Postgraduate Administrative Fellowship

☛ National Council on Administrative Fellowships (NCAF) | Centralized

Other Administrative Fellowships are:


Other Fellowships and Training programs
☛ Data Science

☛ Diversity & Minority 

☛ Environmental Health

☛ Epidemiology & Research

☛ Global Public Health

☛ Health Policy

☛ Pharma & Biotech