The 2025-2026 application is now closed. The 2026-2027 competition will open in Spring 2025.

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Current U.S. Student

United States citizens who are currently enrolled in undergraduate or graduate degree programs are eligible to apply.If you are currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at a U.S. college or university, you will apply through that institution, even if you are not currently a resident there. Find the Fulbright Program Adviser on your campus.

U.S. Citizen but not a Student

If you are a U.S. citizen, will hold a bachelor’s degree by the award start date, and do not have a Ph.D. degree, then you are eligible to apply. Non-enrolled applicants should have relatively limited professional experience in the fields (typically 7 years or less) in which they are applying. Candidates with more experience should consider applying for the Fulbright Scholar Program.

The Getting Started page will provide information on eligibility and next steps.

Artist

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program welcomes applications in the creative and performing arts. Arts candidates for the U.S. Student Program should have relatively limited professional experience in the fields (typically 7 years or less) in which they are applying. Artists with more experience should consider applying for the Fulbright Scholar Program.

Creative & Performing Arts projects fall under the Study/Research grant category and are available in all countries where Study/Research grants are offered.

FPA

U.S. Professor/Administrator

If you are a U.S. citizen and a professor or administrator at a U.S. institution and are interested in applying for a Fulbright Scholar Award, you will need to apply through fulbrightscholars.org.

To support your students in applying for a U.S. Student Program award, please connect with the Fulbright Program Adviser at your institution.

Non U.S. Citizens

If you are a non-U.S. citizen interested in applying for a Fulbright Award to the United States, you will need to apply through the Fulbright Commission or U.S. Embassy in your home country. Find out more information on the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program or Fulbright Foreign Student Program.

Ghana

Fulbright-Fogarty Public Health Fellowship Award

Accepted Degree Levels
  • Doctoral
Grant Period
Summer Start
Grant Length
9 Months
Award Type
Special Study/Research
Specialized Grant Types
  • Science/Public Health
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
9 Months
Grant Period
Summer Start

9 Months

Orientation
Pre-Departure and In-Country Orientation

As a condition of their grants, all grantees may be required to participate in a Pre-Departure Orientation during the summer of 2025.

In addition, grantees will be required to participate in a Pre-Departure Orientation with NIH in July.

An in-country orientation is required and is typically held the third week of August.

Candidate Profile

Pre-doctoral trainees:

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 2024), 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?

Ghana has many educational and cultural sites throughout the country and Fulbrighters are encouraged to travel throughout the country during their stay. 

Some Fulbrighters decide to buy or lease a car for ease of transportation, but transportation apps like Uber, Bolt, and Yango are often utilized in major cities. There are also car rental or travel companies that can provide a driver with the vehicle, which is great for local trips or hosting visiting guests. 

Getting involved in community, departmental activities and mentorship are great ways to give back and remain connected while in-country. Fulbright U.S. Scholars are encouraged by the U.S. Embassy to give talks to students seeking to study in the United States  working with EducationUSA Centers and share about American culture and history with the American Spaces team. These are great opportunities to share your professional expertise and American culture in Ghana. 

Eligibility
Residency in host country permitted in year prior to grant
Dual citizens of this country are eligible
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 Proficiency
Not Required

Additional Information: 

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
Independent Study/Research:
Yes
Graduate Degree Enrollment:
No
Affiliation
Independent Study/Research:
Letter required for independent study or research at deadline

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
Affiliation Fees/Tuition not covered in grant benefits
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.

3,255 monthly stipend amount in
$ [US Dollar]
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.

3850 in
$ [US Dollar]
  • 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.

The websites linked here and here have useful, up-to-date cost of living information.

Dependents
Dependent financial support is available
Fulbright Program Management Contact
FBstudent.AF@iie.org
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
https://gh.usembassy.gov/
University of Ghana - GLOCAL

U.S. University Consortia: GLOCAL

Summary of Site

For over 30 years, the University of Ghana has collaborated with UC Davis in research and capacity building: many key studies in maternal and child nutrition have been completed or are underway in Ghana, and several Ghanaians have received their Ph.D. from UC Davis and have returned to UG or continued to work in the international arena. UCSF has also recently started some collaborative projects in Ghana on person-centered maternity care and COVID-19 effects on health care workers.

UG faculty's research areas include infectious and non-communicable diseases, mental health, maternal and child health and nutrition, nutrition and child development, and blood safety and availability. Elements that make UG a strong partner include:

  • Office of Research, Innovation and Development (ORID) which promotes, coordinates, and facilitates research activities, as well as manages external research funds.
  • International Programs Office (IPO) coordinates and promotes relations with international students and scholars. It has a variety of services, including assistance with accommodation, immigration issues, and local culture.

UG also collaborates with several other research institutions, such as the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research; Centre for Tropical, Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics; the West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens; the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement; and the West African Genetic Medicine Centre (WAGMC).

Primary Contacts

Areas of Focus

  • Infectious and non-communicable diseases
  • Mental health
  • Maternal and child health 
  • Nutrition
  • Blood safety and availability

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, sick 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

HBNU Project 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
  • Elizabeth Fine, Training Programs Coordinator, efine@hsph.harvard.edu

University of Ghana Site Director

  • Gordon Awandare, Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Ghana, gawandare@ug.edu.gh  

Areas of Focus

  • Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition 
  • Adolescent Health 
  • Infectious Disease 
  • Mental Health 
  • Non-communicable Diseases

Sample Research Projects

To receive examples of past projects or information on available/active projects at the University of Ghana, please contact the site director, Prof. Gordon Awandare.

Language Requirement

None

Additional Information

Please visit https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/global-health-research-partnership/sites-2/university-of-ghana/ for a complete list of HBNU-affiliated site mentors at the University of Ghana.

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 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 maternal morbidity is becoming an increasingly important metric for not only overall maternal health but also healthcare quality. 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
  • Attitudes toward abortion and family planning
  • Provider understanding of near-misses

Future Potential Project Topics:

  • Non-communicable diseases during pregnancy
  • Sickle-cell in pregnancy
  • Gestational diabetes

Language Requirement

None

Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana - NPGH

U.S. University Consortia: NPGH

Summary of Site

Premier science and technology university in Kumasi, Ghana.

The University of Washington has a long-standing research relationship with Kwame University of Science, Technology and Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, and 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

Areas of Focus

  • Injury prevention
  • Epidemiology of surgical conditions, injuries and burns
  • Trauma system models
  • Cookstove safety
  • Resuscitation
  • Nutrition after injury

Language Requirement

None

Suntreso Government Hospital, Ghana Health Service - NPGH

U.S. University Consortia: NPGH

Summary of Site

Medium-sized government hospital that refers to Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi, Ghana. 

While child mortality (deaths under age 5) have dropped significantly in recent years, neonatal mortality (deaths within the first 28 days after birth) remains a challenge in much of sub-Saharan Africa. Neonatal deaths make up nearly half of all under 5 childhood mortality, and deaths within the first 7 days of life make up half of all neonatal deaths. Thus, the first few days after delivery are critical to improving neonatal outcomes. This long-standing collaboration takes place at a medium-sized government hospital that refers to Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi.

Primary Contacts

Sample Research Projects

Previous Project Descriptions: 

  • Understanding late identification of neonatal jaundice
  • Epidemiology and surveillance of neonatal birth asphyxia
  • Identifying maternal and neonatal near-misses
  • Community-based knowledge and attitudes toward newborn mortality

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

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

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 in 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

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