Postdoctoral Fellowship Description and Eligibility Criteria

The Postdoctoral Fellowship provides funding for postdoctoral research projects which advance prevention of obesity through physical activity and other health behaviors for underserved and minority populations in the U.S.  Research projects should examine innovative ways and methods of integrating physical fitness as a key strategy for making positive changes in people’s health; specifically in reducing the disproportionately high risk of obesity and related chronic diseases among underserved and minority populations. The Postdoctoral Fellowship differs from other programs available through the Fellowship by placing its emphasis on supporting continued research focused on this area of health disparities while using the partnership spirit of community-based participation to equitably involve the research’s stakeholders in all aspects of the research process including sharing expertise, decision making, and ownership of the research from design to impact.

Accepting applications for 2016-2017: NOW
Application deadline: February 13, 2017
Award amount: $20,000

Who may apply for the Postdoctoral Fellowship?
Postdoctoral (DrPH) fellows from historically underrepresented racial and/or ethnic groups who have completed the following by August 2017 immediately following the application deadline:

  • • Awarded a doctoral degree in public health (DrPH) no earlier than June 1, 2014 and no later than November 10, 2017.
  • • Demonstrated support from a host organization in the field of public health.
  • • Demonstrated experience, commitment, and track record in conducting research in addressing the following:
    • 1. Issues of obesity and related chronic disease prevention, which are addressed through physical activity (e.g. Instant Recess®), community-appropriate, user-friendly strategies, and other health behaviors (e.g. nutrition) with the ultimate goal of reducing the disproportionately high risk of obesity and related chronic diseases among underserved populations;

    • 2. Working with underserved communities and minority populations in the United States; and
    • 3. Using community-based participatory research while engaging the community in meaningful ways around work in health disparities.

  • Host Organization

Fellowship applicants are encouraged to identify a host institution within the U.S. with which they are affiliated at the time of application. Fellowships are awarded for full-time research at nonprofit institutions in the field of public health. Each applicant should designate a faculty member, or other scholar, who will serve as host at the proposed fellowship institution. Each applicant must present a clearly articulated proposal with their application that describes how their postdoctoral research will advance the prevention of obesity through physical activity and other healthy behaviors for underserved and minority populations in the U.S.

As a note, awardees will be required to attend the Dr. Antronette (Toni) Yancey and Darlene Edgley Fellowship Awards Ceremony tentatively scheduled for March 7, 2017. Additionally, awardees agree to participate in periodic updates and contribute to assessment activities designed to record the impact of the Fellowship. Awards will not be distributed until the awardee officially verifies DrPH degree conferral.