FOR-GHP Fellowship 2026: 1.5-Year Outbreak Readiness Fellowship for Public Health Professionals in Africa
Applications are now open for the Fellowship in Outbreak Readiness for Global Health Protection (FOR-GHP) 2026, a 1.5-year professional development opportunity designed for public health professionals in sub-Saharan Africa.
The fellowship focuses on strengthening professional skills in outbreak preparedness, emergency response, global health protection and public health resilience. It brings together African and international public health institutions to provide participants with opportunities for learning, collaboration, knowledge exchange and capacity strengthening.
The application deadline is 21 October 2026.
About the FOR-GHP Fellowship 2026
The Fellowship in Outbreak Readiness for Global Health Protection is an international programme involving iACE Global Health at the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine (BNITM), the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET), the Robert Koch Institute and Swiss TPH.
The programme is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Health through the Global Health Protection Programme (GHPP).
FOR-GHP is designed to strengthen the workforce needed to prepare for, prevent, detect and respond effectively to public health emergencies across sub-Saharan Africa.
Through professional development and knowledge-sharing activities, fellows can strengthen competencies that are relevant to their work and contribute to stronger public health systems within their countries and institutions.
What Does the Fellowship Offer?
The programme follows a blended learning and multiplier approach. This combines professional learning with collaboration, knowledge exchange and capacity strengthening.
Participants will have opportunities to develop knowledge and competencies in areas such as:
- Health emergency preparedness
- Outbreak readiness
- Emergency response
- Global health protection
- Public health resilience
- Workforce competency development
- Public health capacity strengthening
- Knowledge transfer and multiplication
The multiplier approach is an important part of the programme. Fellows are encouraged to share the knowledge and skills they gain with colleagues and within their professional institutions.
This approach allows the benefits of the fellowship to extend beyond individual participants and support wider organisational and professional capacity.
Who Can Apply?
The FOR-GHP Fellowship is intended for public health professionals working in sub-Saharan Africa.
Applicants must be citizens of a sub-Saharan African country and work in the public health sector.
The programme may be particularly relevant to professionals working in areas such as:
- Epidemiology
- Disease surveillance
- Outbreak preparedness
- Emergency response
- Health security
- Infectious disease control
- Public health programmes
- Health systems
- Public health resilience
Applicants should demonstrate an interest in strengthening health emergency preparedness and contributing to improved public health capacity within their countries and professional institutions.
Prospective applicants should carefully review the official eligibility and selection requirements before submitting their applications.
Why Outbreak Readiness Matters
Public health emergencies can place significant pressure on health systems and require professionals who can respond quickly and effectively.
Outbreak readiness involves more than responding after an emergency begins. Strong preparedness requires the ability to identify risks, strengthen surveillance systems, coordinate responses, communicate effectively and maintain essential public health services.
For countries across sub-Saharan Africa, developing a skilled public health workforce is an important part of strengthening preparedness and resilience.
The FOR-GHP Fellowship provides professional development focused on these areas while encouraging participants to share their knowledge with colleagues and institutions.
International Learning and Collaboration
The fellowship brings together African and international institutions with experience in public health, field epidemiology, infectious disease surveillance, tropical medicine and health systems.
AFENET contributes expertise in field epidemiology and public health capacity strengthening across Africa. The Robert Koch Institute contributes experience in infectious disease surveillance and public health protection.
BNITM, through iACE Global Health, brings expertise in global health and tropical medicine, while Swiss TPH contributes experience across global health, public health, tropical medicine and health systems.
This collaboration gives fellows the opportunity to learn from different professional perspectives while developing competencies that can be applied within African public health settings.
Fellowship Duration and Format
Fellowship: Fellowship in Outbreak Readiness for Global Health Protection (FOR-GHP)
Duration: 1.5 years
Target group: Public health professionals
Eligible region: Sub-Saharan Africa
Format: Blended learning and multiplier approach
Focus: Outbreak readiness, emergency preparedness, response and resilience
Deadline: 21 October 2026
The programme is designed to support continued learning and knowledge exchange throughout the fellowship period.
Funding and Support
The FOR-GHP Fellowship is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Health through the Global Health Protection Programme.
Applicants should consult the official fellowship information for complete details regarding financial support, participation arrangements, programme requirements and other conditions associated with the fellowship.
How to Apply for the FOR-GHP Fellowship 2026
Eligible public health professionals interested in the fellowship should review the official application information and confirm that they meet the eligibility requirements.
Applicants should prepare all requested materials carefully and submit their applications before the closing date.
Application deadline: 21 October 2026
Interested professionals are encouraged to apply early rather than waiting until the final day.
Final Thoughts
The FOR-GHP Fellowship 2026 offers public health professionals in sub-Saharan Africa an opportunity to strengthen their knowledge and competencies in outbreak readiness, emergency preparedness, response and global health protection.
The 1.5-year programme combines professional learning, international collaboration and a multiplier approach that encourages fellows to share their knowledge within their workplaces and professional networks.
Public health professionals who meet the eligibility requirements and are interested in strengthening emergency preparedness and resilience can review the fellowship requirements and submit their applications before 21 October 2026.
VISIT THE OFFICIAL APPLICATION PAGE TO APPLY.
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Disclaimer: Remote Job Opportunities (RJO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the responsible organization directly. Please do not send your applications to RJO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.
