Ghana
1 Fulbright-Fogarty Public Health Fellowship Award
Accepted Degree Levels
|
Grant PeriodAugust StartGrant Length6-9 Months |
Award Type
Discipline-Specific Awards
Award Profile
The Fulbright-Fogarty Fellowships in Public Health are offered through a partnership between the Fulbright Program and the Fogarty International Center of the U.S. National Institutes of Health. These awards were established to promote the expansion of research in public health and clinical research in resource-limited settings.
Fulbright-Fogarty Fellowships carry the same benefits as the traditional Fulbright Study/Research grants to the host country. The Fogarty International Center, NIH, will provide support to the research training site and may provide orientation for the fellows at the NIH.
For more details on Fulbright-Fogarty Fellowships and application instructions, please review the ‘Type of Awards’ page: https://us.fulbrightonline.org/applicants/types-of-awards/fulbright-fogarty-fellowships-in-public-health
Grant Length
Grant Period
Fulbright grantees are strongly encouraged to arrive in early August 2027. An in-country orientation is required and is typically held the third week of August.
There will likely be limited support from host institutions and the U.S. Embassy during the last two weeks of December 2027 and the first two weeks of January 2028.
Orientation
As a condition of their grants, all grantees may be required to participate in a Pre-Departure Orientation during the summer of 2027.
An in-country orientation is required and is typically held the third week of August.
In addition, Fulbright-Fogarty Fellows will be required to participate in a Pre-Departure Orientation with NIH in July.
Candidate Profile
Must be enrolled in an accredited doctoral-level program (MD, PhD, DDS, or comparable degree from an accredited institution) in public health, government, business, design, engineering, education, medicine, nutrition, law, pharmacy, dentistry, veterinary medicine, and nursing.
Eligible doctoral degrees include, but are not limited to: DMD, DC, DO, DVM, OD, DPM, ScD, EngD, DrPH, DNSc, DPT, PharmD, ND, DSW, PsyD, JD and Doctorate of Philosophy in Nursing.
Health-professional students who wish to interrupt their studies for a year or more to engage in full-time research training before completing their formal training programs are also eligible.
By the start of the program year (July 2027), fellows must be an MD (and other professional degrees) student who has completed their 3rd year or a Ph.D. candidate who has completed their Master’s level requirements (i.e., post-qualifying exam).
What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?
Applicants are expected to research their host country. Application materials should indicate a clear commitment to the host country community and a description of how you will engage with it.
The people of Ghana are warm and welcoming and the country is peaceful. Most Fulbrighters enjoy the beautiful vibrant cultural setting, learning about Ghanaian cultural practices, eating delicious foods, shopping in local markets, and learning local dialects. In general, daily life for Fulbrighters is filled with opportunities to engage students eager to learn English and learn more about American culture. During the weekends and holidays, there are ample opportunities for travel within Ghana to numerous tourist sites, including hiking, visiting game parks and waterfalls, and exploring the many historic ties between the United States and Ghana.
Eligibility
Degree Level of Applicant
- Doctoral
Special Application Instructions
Select "Fulbright-Fogarty" for Award Type in the application.
All Fulbright-Fogarty applicants pursuing a placement in Ghana should select “Public Health” as the Field of Study in the Fulbright application.
Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) Form
If required, submission of the Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) form is mandatory, even if you have advanced skills or are a native speaker of the language. Failure to submit the required FLE form may impact your eligibility.
Additional Information:
Although English is the official language in Ghana, study of local languages (e.g., Twi, Fanti, Ga, Dagbani, etc.) prior to arrival and while in-country is encouraged to promote deeper engagement with the community. Field researchers may need to coordinate with Ghanaian partner institutions for assistance in specific communities.
Fulbright Proposal Types
Yes
No
Affiliation
Applicants are required to obtain a letter of support from the site contact.
When emailing project contacts, please include both contacts and attach a current CV and a concise statement (less than 500 words) about your interest in the program (especially your primary research interest).
Affiliation Fees/Tuition
Award Benefits
- A stipend broadly based on the cost of living in the host country. These funds may be used by the grantee to support housing, meals, and incidental costs during the grant period.
- International travel benefits
- Accident & sickness health benefits
- 24/7 mental health support line for urgent and non-urgent situations
- 12 months of non-competitive eligibility (NCE) hiring status within the federal government
Stipend Amount
This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.
One-Time Allowances
This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.
- Excess baggage fees
- Registration/Permitting fees
- Research/Materials allowance
- Settling in allowance
Estimated Cost of Living
Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.
Dependents
Housing Arrangements
Grantees are responsible for their own housing arrangements.
University of Ghana - GLOCAL
U.S. University Consortia: GLOCAL
Summary of Site
The University of Ghana (UG) consistently ranks among the best universities in Africa. Its mission is to contribute to national and global development by focusing on research, quality teaching and learning, and international collaboration. Prominent research institutions housed at UG include: the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research; the Centre for Tropical, Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics; the West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens; and the West African Genetic Medicine Centre. UG infrastructure supports trainees through the Research and Innovation Directorate (RID), which coordinates research activities and manages external research funds, and the International Programs Office (IPO), which offers a variety of services, including assistance with accommodation and local culture.
UG’s faculty research areas include infectious and non-communicable diseases, mental health, planetary warming, blood safety, maternal and child nutrition, and health and development. For nearly 30 years, UG has collaborated with UC Davis to study the long-term impact of early-life nutrition on neurobiological systems, mental health, and developmental outcomes using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This project and others like it are leveraged to support and train GloCal and Fulbright-Fogarty fellows.
Primary Contacts
- Dr. Seth Adu-Afarwuah, GloCal UG Site PI, sadu-afarwuah@ug.edu.gh (contact for letter of affiliation)
- Dr. Craig Cohen, GloCal UCSF PI, craig.cohen@ucsf.edu (additional contact)
Areas of Focus
- Infectious and non-communicable diseases
- Mental health
- Maternal and child nutrition
- Health and development
Language Requirement
None
University of Ghana - HBNU
U.S. University Consortia: HBNU
Summary of Site
The University of Ghana (UG) was founded as the University College of the Gold Coast by Ordinance on August 11, 1948, for the purpose of providing and promoting university education, learning and research. The vision of the university is to become a world class research-intensive university with the mission of creating an enabling environment that makes University of Ghana increasingly relevant to national and global development through cutting-edge research as well as high quality teaching and learning.
Harvard University and the University of New Mexico have worked in partnership with the University of Ghana for many years to conduct important research and train early-career researchers. Research collaborations have addressed a variety of basic science, clinical research, and implementation science topics, including projects to examine strategies for vector control, management of pediatric sepsis, sickle cell care, amongst others. HBNU is seeking to continue this history of collaboration through the hosting of Fulbright-Fogarty Fellows. Fellows would be expected to work with their US and Ghanian mentors to develop a research project related to ongoing work or in a new area of interest.
Primary Contacts
- Professor Wafaie Fawzi, Professor of Global Health, Nutrition, and Epidemiology; Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard Chan School of Public Health, mina@hsph.harvard.edu
- Kemjika Nwokogba, Senior Program Manager, Harvard Chan School of Public Health, nwokogba@hsph.harvard.edu
Interested Fulbright-Fogarty candidates should contact the two listed project contacts directly to express their interest. In your message, indicate whether you have already identified a project mentor or if you would like assistance in identifying and/or contacting potential mentors.
Please include:
- A brief statement of interest (one paragraph), and
- Your CV/resume as an attachment
For your application, you will need to identify a suitable site mentor from the HBNU training site and contact them directly to inquire about mentorship for your proposed project and to request a letter of support. We are available to assist with this process; however, applicants may also reach out directly to mentors listed on our website under HBNU Training Sites and Mentors: https://hsph.harvard.edu/fellowship-special-program/hbnu-fogarty/hbnu-training-sites-and-mentors/#LMIC-Mentors
Areas of Focus
- Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition
- Adolescent Health
- Infectious Disease
- Mental Health
- Non-communicable Diseases
Language Requirement
None
Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana - NPGH
U.S. University Consortia: NPGH
Summary of Site
Korle Bu Teaching Hospital is a public tertiary hospital in Accra, Ghana. It is the third biggest referral centre in Africa and has 2,000 beds, 21 clinical and diagnostic departments, and three Centres of Excellence.
Primary Contacts
- Dr. Cheryl A. Moyer, camoyer@umich.edu, University of Michigan
- Dr. Samuel Oppong, wak72@yahoo.com, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital / University of Ghana (letter of affiliation)
Areas of Focus
Maternal mortality and morbidity remain enormous challenges in much of sub-Saharan Africa. As maternal mortality slowly declines, measuring and addressing maternal morbidity is becoming increasingly important. This long-term collaboration involves partners at the University of Michigan and at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, Ghana, and has addressed many facets of pregnancy, labor and delivery, and the early postpartum period.
Sample Research Projects
Previous Project Descriptions:
- Assessment of maternal near-misses
- Use of misoprostol for self-induced abortions
- Sickle-cell in pregnancy
- Feasibility of Group-based Antenatal Care among pregnant women with sickle cell
- Home-based blood pressure monitoring among pregnant women with preeclampsia
Language Requirement
None
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana - NPGH
U.S. University Consortia: NPGH
Summary of Site
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) is a public research university located in Kumasi, Ghana. Established in 1952, it is one of the largest and most prestigious universities in Ghana, known for its strong focus on science, technology, engineering, and innovation. The university has multiple colleges, numerous departments, and serves tens of thousands of undergraduate and postgraduate students while functioning as a major center for research and professional training in West Africa.
Research areas include maternal and newborn health, as well as pregnancy, labor, and childbirth practices. In addition, the University of Washington has a long-standing research relationship with KNUST and Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, as well as other organizations in Ghana (e.g., National Ambulance Service, Buildings and Roads Research Institute, National Road Safety Authority). Numerous Ghanaian and American trainees have completed 1-year global health fellowships and performed impactful research related to injury and burn prevention, trauma and burn care, road safety, and others. Prior trainees have obtained independent funding from the US National Institutes of Health, US Department of Defense and State Department, and other funders. University of Washington has strong resources to support research fellows through an extensive network of collaborators across Ghana committed to advancing injury prevention and control.
Primary Contacts and Areas of Focus
- Dr. Veronica Dzomeku, vmdzomeku@gmail.com, KNUST
- Areas of Focus:
- Maternal and newborn health
- Pregnancy, labor, and childbirth practices
- Areas of Focus:
- Dr. Barclay Stewart, barclays@uw.edu, University of Washington
- Areas of focus:
- Injury prevention
- Epidemiology of surgical conditions, injuries and burns
- Trauma system models
- Cookstove safety
- Resuscitation
- Nutrition after injury
- Areas of focus:
Language Requirement
None
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology - UJMT
U.S. University Consortia: UJMT
Summary of Site
The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology (KNUST) was established in 1952 and is situated in Kumasi, Ghana. The core mandate of the College of Health Sciences is to train medical doctors, allied health workers and biomedical scientists for Ghana.
Primary Contacts
- Fred Stephen Sarfo, stephensarfo78@gmail.com
Areas of Focus
Fellows would be expected to work with U.S. and Ghanian based mentor groups to develop an independent research project that could be integrated into one of the following projects or in a new area of interest:
- NCDs
- Stroke prevention and treatment
- Hypertension
Language Requirement
None
Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research - UJMT
U.S. University Consortia: UJMT
Summary of Site
The Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), established in 1979 as a semi-autonomous institute of the University of Ghana, is the country’s leading biomedical research facility. The Institute spearheads biomedical research in Ghana on diseases of public health importance in the country and the African region. NMIMR focuses primarily on research into infectious diseases, including malaria, soil transmitted helminthiasis and schistosomiasis, filariasis lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, buruli ulcer, poliomyelitis, sexually transmitted infections, viral hemorrhagic fevers, diarrheal diseases, and vaccine-preventable diseases.
Primary Contacts
- Anita Ghansah, aghansah@ug.edu.gh
Areas of Focus
Fellows would be expected to work with U.S. and Ghanian based mentor groups to develop an independent research project that could be integrated into one of the following projects or in a new area of interest:
- Vector-borne diseases, including malaria, lymphatic filariasis, guinea worm, and avian influenza
- NCDs, including diabetes mellitus and CVD
- Micronutrients
- Infant and maternal mortality
- Sickle cell disease
- Allergies and environmental pollution
- HIV/AIDS and TB
Language Requirement
None
University of Ghana - UJMT
U.S. University Consortia: UJMT
Summary of Site
The University of Ghana Medical School within the College of Health Sciences trains an array of health professionals. All the institutions of the College undertake their clinical training and research at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. Historically, the hospital, established in 1923, was meant primarily for malaria treatment and management. It gained teaching hospital status in 1962, when the University of Ghana Medical School was established for the training of medical doctors. As the leading tertiary health facility in Ghana, the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital has a long-standing history of teaching and medical research.
Primary Contacts
- Anthony Andrew Adjei, aaadjei@ug.edu.gh
Areas of Focus
Fellows would be expected to work with U.S. and Ghanian based mentor groups to develop an independent research project that could be integrated into one of the following projects or in a new area of interest:
- HIV
- Cancer
- Malaria
Language Requirement
None
University of Ghana - NPGH
U.S. University Consortia: NPGH
Summary of Site
The University of Ghana (UG) is Ghana's premier public university with a strong tradition of research and international collaboration in public health and biomedical sciences. The University of Ghana School of Public Health (UGSPH) serves as a regional hub for training and research in Africa, providing an active environment for interdisciplinary research and mentorship.
Fulbright-Fogarty Fellows at UG would have access to extensive research resources within the university system, including the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), a leading biomedical research center with laboratory capacity in infectious diseases and epidemiology; the West African Center for Global, Environmental, and Occupational Health (WAC-GEOHealth), which focuses on environmental and occupational health impacts; and the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC), a modern teaching hospital supporting clinical research.
Within the School of Public Health, fellows may work with faculty across academic departments, including environmental health sciences, epidemiology and disease control, health policy planning and management, biostatistics, and social sciences. These departments support research activities, ranging from epidemiological studies to health systems research.
Primary Contacts
- Dr. Cheryl A. Moyer, camoyer@umich.edu, University of Michigan
- Dr. Julius Fobil, JFobil@ug.edu.gh, University of Ghana
- Dr. Samuel Bosomprah, sbosomprah@ug.edu.gh, University of Ghana
- Dr. Duah Dwomoh, Duahdwomoh@ug.edu.gh, University of Ghana
- Dr Serwaa Akoto Bawua, sabawua@ug.edu.gh, University of Ghana
- Dr. Augustine Acquah, augustineacquah@ug.edu.gh, University of Ghana
- Dr Ibrahim Issah, iissah@ug.edu.gh, University of Ghana
Areas of Focus
- Occupational health, including exposure to metals, air pollution, and waste-related hazards
- Infectious disease epidemiology and control (e.g., malaria, HIV/AIDS, emerging infectious diseases)
- Non-communicable diseases and environmental conditions
- Maternal, neonatal, and child health
- Health systems strengthening and implementation science
- Urban health and environmental conditions long term resource management
- Occupational health and safety in informal sector industries
- Molecular/biomarker-based health research through collaborations with Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) and West Africa Center for Global Environmental & Occupational Health (WAC-GEOHealth)
Sample Projects
- Cranial remodeling and developmental delays in children
- Ergonomic Assessment Methods
- Environmental exposures, endocrine disruption, diet and metabolic diseases
- Oral health related quality of life
- Metals exposure and oxidative stress markers
Language Requirement
None
Visas
Information on visas is available on the Embassy of Ghana website.
Research Clearance
Grantees may need to go through an Institutional Review Board (IRB) process at their home institution and/or Ghanaian host institution if their research includes animal or human research subjects. Fees may be required.
In some cases, the affiliation letter with the host institution will serve as the required research clearance.
Special Considerations
Applicants are encouraged to check the U.S. Department of State's Travel.State.Gov site for the latest travel advisory information during and after the application process.