UJMT Fogarty Fellowship FAQs

Do I need to have a mentor selected when I apply to the fellowship?
Yes. The application will request information about your current mentors and your plan for mentoring while you are in the training program. If needed, the consortium program directors can also help you find mentors and available projects in the country in which you are interested.

Am I eligible to apply if I am not from one of the four institutions within the consortium?
Yes. Our program accepts applications from individuals from outside the four consortium institutions who are U.S. Citizens, non-citizen nationals, or permanent residents.

I am not a U.S. citizen, am I eligible to apply if I am also not a citizen of one of the collaborating countries?
Non-U.S. citizens applying for the FGHF program must be citizens of one of the LMICs (low- or middle income countries) in which our training sites are located. For a list of countries and sites please go to our website.

I am an international applicant; does this training program allow me to conduct my research within the United States?
No. Applicants who are nationals of low-or middle- income countries that host UJMT FGHF training sites can conduct research within their home country at one of the identified training site academic/medical institution.

Am I eligible to apply if I am still in medical school or another graduate school?
Yes. U.S. trained third and fourth year medical students or doctoral students who have completed their course work and comprehensive exam before departing for the training site are eligible to apply. Ideally, in this situation the trainee is paired with a local medical graduate student at the training site. Pairs are not required to work on the same research project, but are expected to work in tandem to create a supportive working environment.

Am I eligible to apply if I am currently in another research training program?
Yes. Trainees who are currently enrolled in or who have completed a training program are eligible to apply. Trainees currently funded on a T32 grant should contact the FGHF program manager to determine if they are suitable applicants. Please note that stipends from two different NIH grants may not be combined.

Can I create my own research project or do I need to work on one that is already established at the international site?
Trainees are able to design their own research project; the project can be incorporated into research that is ongoing at the research site. Trainees should discuss all the potential opportunities available at the training site with the U.S. based mentor listed for that training site on the site description page of the UJMT FGHF website. In general, it is easier to work on an ongoing project given the logistics of obtaining IRB approval. It is recommended that doctoral trainees work on ongoing research projects at the training site they choose based on their research interests and the mentors in field.

What is the selection process?
For postdoctoral candidates priority is given to those with likely faculty appointment during or immediately after completing the fellowship. All applicants will be judged primarily on the following criteria: training record to date, quality of the research project, previous publications, letters of recommendation, institutional support in terms of supplemental funding and potential faculty appointment, and the likelihood of a successful research career and future academic plans.

How many hours will I be required to work on my research project?
All trainees are expected to work 40 hours per week for 12 months.

Does the fellowship provide health insurance for trainees?
Yes. A health insurance package, including emergency medical evacuation and repatriation, is provided for all U.S. based trainees while they are in the program. Often predoctoral trainees will buy their own plan and get reimbursed from the UJMT program.

If I am accepted into the program, will my spouse and our child(ren) be able to travel and stay abroad as well? What about health insurance?
Spouses and children are permitted to travel and stay abroad. The program does not cover the travel expenses for spouse and child(ren). The program can only cover the cost of the trainee’s emergency and basic  insurance plan.

Do I need to spend 12 consecutive months at my site?
Yes. Trainees are required to spend a minimum of 10.5 consecutive months at the training site. If trainees have unique situations that would prevent them from spending 10.5 months in country, they should discuss this with the program manager prior to applying to the program.