FOR-GHP Fellowship in Outbreak Readiness for Global Health Protection 2026

This requirement is important because fellows are expected to participate in learning activities, workshops and other programme components while continuing to engage with their professional environments.

Applicants should therefore discuss the fellowship with their employer early in the application process and confirm that they can participate in the required programme activities.

Employer support may also be relevant to the programme's multiplier approach, since fellows are expected to use their training within their institutions and professional networks.

3. Programme Focus

FOR-GHP focuses on strengthening professional capacity in areas directly related to infectious disease outbreaks and health emergencies.

Major areas of focus include:

1. Outbreak preparedness and management
2. Health emergency preparedness
3. Public health intelligence
4. Disease surveillance
5. One Health
6. Global health security
7. Emergency response
8. Institutional preparedness and resilience
9. Knowledge sharing and professional capacity building

The programme is designed to help participants understand how health systems can prepare for outbreaks before they occur and how professionals can contribute effectively when health emergencies arise.

The One Health component is particularly relevant because many infectious disease threats involve interactions between human health, animal health and environmental factors.

4. Multiplier Approach

One of the distinctive features of FOR-GHP is its multiplier model.

Participants are not trained solely for their own professional advancement. They are also expected to become facilitators and multipliers who can share knowledge with colleagues and contribute to strengthening preparedness within their institutions.

Through this approach, fellows may use what they learn to:

1. Share relevant knowledge with colleagues.
2. Support institutional training activities.
3. Strengthen preparedness practices within their organisations.
4. Contribute to professional networks.
5. Apply outbreak-readiness concepts in their workplace.
6. Help improve organisational capacity to respond to health emergencies.

The model is therefore intended to create benefits at both the individual and institutional levels.

5. Programme Structure

The FOR-GHP fellowship lasts approximately 1.5 years and uses a blended-learning structure.

Participants combine online learning with practical and face-to-face activities.

The programme may include:

1. Online learning modules.
2. eLearning activities.
3. Case studies.
4. Practical assignments.
5. Simulations.
6. In-person workshops.
7. Professional networking activities.
8. Institutional or workplace-based activities.

The blended format allows participants to continue their professional responsibilities while undertaking structured fellowship training.

In-person components are scheduled in different locations, including Hamburg, Accra and Kampala, according to the programme schedule.

Participants should therefore be prepared to undertake international travel where required and should ensure that their professional commitments allow them to participate fully.

6. Practical Learning and Simulations

The fellowship places emphasis on applying knowledge rather than relying exclusively on theoretical instruction.

Through case studies, simulations and practical activities, participants can explore how public health professionals respond to complex outbreak and emergency situations.

This may involve examining issues such as:

• outbreak detection;
• preparedness planning;
• public health intelligence;
• coordination;
• emergency response;
• communication;
• surveillance;
• institutional resilience; and
• collaboration across different professional sectors.

The practical orientation can help participants connect the concepts introduced through eLearning with the situations they may encounter in their professional environments.

7. Benefits

The FOR-GHP fellowship provides several forms of professional and educational support.

Key benefits include:

1. No tuition fees: Participants do not pay tuition fees for the fellowship programme.
2. Professional training: Fellows receive structured training in outbreak preparedness, emergency response and global health protection.
3. Blended learning: Participants gain access to online learning combined with practical and in-person activities.
4. International exposure: The programme connects participants with professionals and organisations working across different countries and health systems.
5. Professional network: Fellows become part of an international network of public health professionals.
6. Certificate: Successful participants receive a certificate associated with completion of the programme.
7. Academic credit: The programme includes academic credit associated with the fellowship.
8. Travel support: Travel and accommodation support is provided for required in-person programme components according to the programme's arrangements.

These benefits make the fellowship relevant to professionals seeking structured development without leaving their existing professional environment for the entire duration of the programme.

8. Career Development

FOR-GHP can be relevant to professionals whose careers involve disease prevention, surveillance, outbreak response and health emergency management.

The programme may be particularly useful for professionals working in areas such as:

1. Disease surveillance.
2. Field epidemiology.
3. Public health programmes.
4. Outbreak investigation.
5. Health emergency management.
6. Infectious disease prevention.
7. Laboratory and biomedical services.
8. One Health programmes.
9. Global health security.
10. Public health policy and preparedness.

By combining technical training with leadership, facilitation and multiplier activities, the fellowship aims to help participants strengthen both their individual professional capacity and the preparedness of the organisations in which they work.

9. Institutional Impact

The programme's multiplier approach means that the expected impact extends beyond the individual fellow.

Participants may have opportunities to introduce or strengthen preparedness knowledge within their own workplaces after completing relevant components of the programme.

For example, a fellow may be able to share newly acquired knowledge with colleagues, contribute to internal training, participate in preparedness planning or support institutional discussions around outbreak response.

This makes the fellowship particularly relevant to professionals who have responsibilities that allow them to influence public health practice within their organisations.

10. Application Materials

Applicants should carefully prepare the documents required by the official application system.

Depending on the application requirements, applicants may need to provide:

1. A motivation letter explaining their interest in the fellowship.
2. Evidence of relevant professional experience.
3. An endorsement from their current employer.
4. Reference letters.
5. Academic or professional information.
6. Other supporting documentation requested by the programme.

Applicants may also be required to complete online learning modules or other activities as part of the selection process.

The motivation statement should clearly explain why the applicant is interested in outbreak preparedness and global health protection and how the fellowship connects with their current professional responsibilities.

Applicants should also demonstrate how they expect to apply and share the knowledge gained through the programme.

11. Application Information

The application deadline is 21 October 2026 at midnight Central European Time (CET).

Applications should be submitted electronically through the official programme platform.

Applicants should begin preparing their application materials well before the deadline, particularly because an employer endorsement and reference letters may be required.

Before submitting an application, candidates should confirm that:

1. They meet the professional experience requirement.
2. Their academic or professional background is relevant.
3. They can participate in the required online activities.
4. Their employer can provide the required endorsement.
5. They can attend the required in-person components.
6. They have prepared the required supporting documents.
7. Their application is submitted before the stated deadline.

12. Important Note

FOR-GHP is a professional fellowship rather than a conventional full-time academic degree programme. Applicants should therefore consider how the programme fits with their existing employment and professional responsibilities.

Because the fellowship includes international workshops and other scheduled activities, employer support is an important consideration. Candidates should confirm their availability for the required activities before applying.

Applicants should also review the official programme information carefully because schedules, participation requirements, travel arrangements and application procedures may be subject to programme-specific conditions.

Application Deadline: 21 October 2026, midnight Central European Time

Funding: Fully funded professional fellowship; no tuition fees, with travel and accommodation support for required in-person components according to programme arrangements

Duration: Approximately 1.5 years

Study Level: Professionals, Researchers, Faculty & Academics

Field: Public Health, Medicine, Epidemiology, Microbiology, Biology, Tropical Medicine, Biomedical Sciences, Global Health and related fields

Eligibility: Public health and biomedical professionals working in sub-Saharan Africa with at least two years of relevant professional experience

Location: Sub-Saharan Africa; in-person components may take place in Hamburg, Accra and Kampala