The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is offering a research and training opportunity through the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) for qualified researchers and graduate-level professionals interested in physical activity promotion, public health, community design, implementation science, epidemiology, data analysis, policy, and related fields.

The CDC Advancing Active People, Healthy Nation Through Science – Physical Activity Fellowship, referenced as CDC-2026-0033, provides an opportunity for an eligible participant to train with CDC’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP), specifically within the Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity (DNPAO) in Atlanta, Georgia.

This fellowship is particularly relevant to individuals interested in using scientific research, data, policy, community partnerships, and evidence-based interventions to increase physical activity and improve public health outcomes.

About the CDC Physical Activty Fellowship

The fellowship is connected to Active People, Healthy Nation, a national CDC initiative designed to help 27 million Americans become more physically active by 2027.

The initiative recognizes physical activity as an important component of population health and seeks to create environments and systems that make physical activity easier and more accessible.

As an ORISE participant, the selected fellow will work alongside multidisciplinary teams at CDC and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The training experience will involve research, evidence translation, partnership development, communication, evaluation, policy analysis, and dissemination activities related to physical activity promotion.

A major area of focus is activity-friendly community design. This involves identifying, evaluating, and communicating evidence-based approaches that increase opportunities for people to:

• Walk
• Bicycle
• Use public transportation
• Access everyday destinations through active transportation
• Engage in other forms of routine physical activity

The fellowship therefore goes beyond traditional exercise promotion. It examines how communities, transportation systems, policies, urban environments, and public health strategies can be designed to support healthier and more physically active populations.

Research Project

The selected ORISE participant will be placed within CDC’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, in the Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity.

The research and training experience will contribute to nationally significant public health initiatives that aim to generate, interpret, translate, and communicate scientific evidence.

The fellow will contribute to efforts supporting Active People, Healthy Nation and may participate in activities involving:

1. Scientific research
2. Evidence reviews
3. Implementation science
4. Evaluation
5. Policy analysis
6. Data analysis
7. Community-level strategies
8. Evidence translation
9. Scientific writing
10. Dissemination
11. Partnership development
12. Public health communication

The fellow will also have opportunities to work with experts and organizations across several disciplines, creating an interdisciplinary training environment.

Key Learning Objectives

One of the strongest features of this fellowship is the breadth of professional and research skills participants can develop.

Under the supervision and guidance of experienced mentors, the selected fellow will have opportunities to develop the following competencies.

1. Scientific Evidence Reviews

The participant will learn how to support scientific evidence reviews, coordination, and communication activities that may contribute to future updates of the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd Edition.

This experience can provide valuable exposure to the process of reviewing scientific evidence and translating research findings into public health guidance.

2. National Partnership Development

The fellow will learn how to engage with national partners in support of updates to the National Physical Activity Plan.

This can involve working with organizations and stakeholders whose activities influence physical activity, health promotion, community development, transportation, and related areas.

3. Scientific Writing and Publications

The fellowship provides opportunities to develop experience in authoring or co-authoring:

• Peer-reviewed scientific manuscripts
• Scientific reports
• Conference presentations
• Evidence summaries
• Other scientific communication products

This is particularly valuable for candidates interested in establishing or strengthening a research and academic career.

4. Implementation Science

Participants will build knowledge and skills in implementation science, which focuses on understanding how evidence-based interventions, programs, and policies can be effectively translated into real-world practice.

This may include examining why certain interventions work in particular communities and how successful strategies can be implemented or scaled.

5. Evaluation and Dissemination Research

The fellow will have opportunities to gain experience in evaluation and dissemination research.

These skills are important in determining whether public health programs and strategies are achieving their intended objectives and how evidence can be effectively communicated to organizations, policymakers, professionals, and communities.

6. Policy Analysis

The fellowship includes opportunities to understand policy analysis and evaluation related to community design and physical activity promotion.

This can involve examining how policies and community-level decisions influence opportunities for physical activity.

7. Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis

Participants will learn to apply both quantitative and qualitative analytical methods.

Depending on project needs, this may include working with:

• Statistical data
• Qualitative data
• Mixed-method approaches
• R
• Python
• GIS
• Spatial analysis
• Emerging analytical approaches

Candidates with existing data-analysis experience may therefore find this opportunity particularly relevant.

8. Interdisciplinary Collaboration

The fellow will work in interdisciplinary groups and interact with professionals from fields such as:

• Public health
• Physical activity
• Tribal health
• Urban planning
• Epidemiology
• Community planning
• Transportation planning
• Policy
• Research

This provides an opportunity to understand public health problems from multiple professional perspectives.

9. Qualitative Research

The participant will build skills in qualitative methodology, including opportunities related to qualitative data collection, methodology, and analysis.

10. Data Analysis and Evidence Translation

The fellowship will provide opportunities to analyze data and translate scientific findings into products that can be understood and used by different audiences.

Participants may contribute to manuscripts and other materials addressing physical activity and community-level interventions.

11. Public Health Communication

The fellow will gain experience developing materials such as:

• Infographics
• Fact sheets
• Evidence summaries
• Messaging materials
• Other communication products

These materials may be designed for policymakers, public health professionals, leadership, professionals in other sectors, and the general public.

12. Presentation Skills

Participants will also develop their ability to prepare and deliver presentations to internal and external audiences.

This can strengthen communication skills that are essential for researchers and public health professionals.

Preferred Skills and Experience

Although the opportunity has specific eligibility requirements, CDC has also identified several preferred skills that can strengthen an applicant’s profile.

The preferred candidate may have experience in:

• Strong oral and written communication
• Scientific writing
• Peer-reviewed publications
• Scientific reports
• Scientific communication
• Teamwork
• Partner engagement
• Physical activity
• Active transportation
• Land-use planning
• Parks and recreation
• Related public health sectors
• Qualitative data
• Qualitative research methodology
• Qualitative data analysis
• Translating scientific findings into plain language
• R
• Python
• Tribal organizations and communities
• Implementation science
• Evaluation methods
• Mixed-methods research
• GIS/spatial analysis
• Community planning
• Transportation planning
• Data visualization

Applicants do not necessarily need to possess every preferred skill. The fellowship is designed as a training experience, and candidates should highlight the relevant skills and experiences they already possess.

Who Is Eligible to Apply?

The opportunity has a specific eligibility requirement that applicants should carefully review before beginning an application.

Citizenship Requirement

The fellowship is available to U.S. citizens only.

This means that individuals who are citizens of other countries but do not hold U.S. citizenship are not eligible for this particular opportunity.

There is no race or ethnicity restriction stated in the eligibility requirements. However, the citizenship requirement is mandatory.

Academic Requirement

Applicants must have:

• A master’s degree, or
• A doctoral degree

in one of the eligible disciplines.

The degree must have been received within the previous 60 months.

Alternatively, applicants who are currently pursuing a qualifying master’s or doctoral degree may be eligible if they anticipate graduating by January 27, 2027.

Eligible Academic Disciplines

The listed eligible disciplines fall into two broad categories:

Life, Health and Medical Sciences

Applicants with relevant academic backgrounds within the life, health, and medical sciences may qualify, depending on how their degree aligns with the fellowship’s requirements.

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Applicants from relevant social and behavioral science disciplines may also qualify.

Because the fellowship focuses on physical activity, public health, community design, policy, implementation, evaluation, and behavioral and population-level interventions, candidates should carefully demonstrate how their academic background connects with the fellowship’s research objectives.

Where Is the Fellowship Located?

The research opportunity is based at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

The fellow will participate in a full-time training appointment and work with CDC and HHS teams involved in physical activity and public health initiatives.

Fellowship Duration

The appointment is initially expected to last one year.

However, the appointment may be renewed upon the recommendation of CDC and depending on the availability of funding.

The anticipated start date is listed as September 31, 2026, although the opportunity states that the start date is flexible and will depend on several factors.

Applicants should note that September has only 30 days. Therefore, the stated September 31 date appears to be a date-entry inconsistency in the announcement, and applicants should rely on the official application information or contact the listed point of contact if the exact start date is important to their application.

Learn More About This Opportunity HERE

Level of Participation

This is a full-time appointment.

The selected participant will therefore be expected to devote full-time participation to the fellowship and its research and training activities.

Participant Stipend

The fellowship provides a participant stipend.

However, the announcement does not provide one fixed stipend amount.

The stipend rate may vary according to several factors, including:

• The specific opportunity
• Location
• Educational background
• Experience
• Other applicable factors

Candidates who reach the interview stage may ask about the exact stipend rate.

If selected, the official appointment offer will state the applicable monthly stipend.

Applicants should therefore avoid assuming a specific dollar amount unless it is provided directly by ORISE or in their appointment offer.

Health Insurance and Participant Status

ORISE participants do not become employees of CDC, the U.S. Department of Energy, or ORAU.

The fellowship also does not provide traditional employment-related benefits associated with being a CDC employee.

Proof of health insurance is required for participation.

Health insurance may be obtained through ORISE.

Prospective applicants should therefore understand that this is a structured research and training appointment rather than a standard CDC employment position.

Environmental, Safety and Health Requirements

Successful applicants will be required to comply with the environmental, safety, and health requirements applicable to the hosting facility.

These requirements may include health and safety measures established by the facility, including applicable COVID-19-related requirements such as:

• Facial covering
• Physical distancing
• Testing
• Vaccination

Applicants should be prepared to comply with the requirements applicable at the time of their appointment.

How to Apply

A complete application must contain all required components.

Applicants should prepare the following:

1. Application Form

Complete and submit the official application through the designated ORISE application system.

Apply HERE

2. Academic Transcripts

Applicants must provide the required transcripts.

The announcement specifies that applicants should review the detailed ORISE transcript guidelines to determine what constitutes an acceptable transcript.

If documents are not in English, an official English translation must be included.

3. Current Resume or CV

The resume/CV should be current and should clearly present relevant academic and professional experience.

It should include information such as:

• Academic history
• Employment history
• Relevant research or professional experience
• Publications, where applicable
• Relevant technical skills
• Other experiences related to the fellowship

Candidates should tailor their CV to the research focus rather than submitting a generic resume whenever possible.

4. Recommendation

Applicants must provide one educational or professional recommendation.

This is an important requirement.

The application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed until at least one recommendation has been submitted.

Applicants should therefore contact their recommender early enough to ensure the recommendation is submitted before the application is reviewed.

Language Requirement

All application documents must be submitted in English.

If an applicant’s documents are in another language, they must include an official English translation.

This requirement applies particularly to academic documents and other materials submitted as part of the application.

Application Deadline

The application deadline is:

September 11, 2026, at 3:00 PM Eastern Time.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Because applications may be reviewed before the final deadline, applicants should not wait until September 11 to submit their materials.

A strong strategy is to prepare the CV, transcripts, recommendation, and other application materials well in advance and submit a complete application as early as possible..

Why This Fellowship Could Be Valuable

This opportunity offers more than a traditional academic research placement.

A successful participant could gain exposure to the way a major U.S. public health agency uses research evidence to influence programs, policies, community strategies, and public health communication.

Some of the major professional development areas include:

• Public health research
• Scientific writing
• Evidence synthesis
• Policy analysis
• Implementation science
• Evaluation
• Data analysis
• Qualitative research
• GIS and spatial analysis
• Scientific communication
• Public health messaging
• Community design
• Active transportation
• Partnership development
• Interdisciplinary collaboration
• Conference presentations
• Peer-reviewed publications

For researchers interested in population health and physical activity, the fellowship could provide an opportunity to work at the intersection of science, policy, community planning, and public health practice.

Who Should Consider Applying?

This fellowship may be particularly suitable for eligible U.S. citizens who are pursuing or have recently completed graduate-level education in areas connected to health, medicine, life sciences, social sciences, behavioral sciences, public health, epidemiology, or related disciplines.

Candidates with experience in any of the following areas may find the opportunity especially relevant:

• Public health
• Epidemiology
• Physical activity research
• Health promotion
• Behavioral science
• Community health
• Implementation science
• Program evaluation
• Qualitative research
• Quantitative research
• Mixed-methods research
• Urban planning
• Transportation planning
• GIS
• Data science
• Policy analysis
• Health communication
• Scientific writing

The strongest applicants should demonstrate not only academic qualifications but also an ability to work collaboratively, communicate scientific findings, analyze information, and connect research evidence with real-world public health practice.

Application Preparation Tips

Before submitting an application, prospective applicants should carefully check that their materials demonstrate a clear connection between their background and the fellowship.

Tailor your CV

Emphasize research, publications, data analysis, public health projects, community work, presentations, and other experiences relevant to the fellowship.

Demonstrate research skills

If you have experience with R, Python, GIS, qualitative research, quantitative analysis, mixed methods, or data visualization, make those skills easy for reviewers to identify.

Highlight scientific communication

Publications, research reports, conference presentations, policy briefs, infographics, fact sheets, and other communication products can demonstrate your ability to translate evidence for different audiences.

Connect your experience to physical activity

Experience involving physical activity, active transportation, community planning, parks, land use, health promotion, or related sectors can be particularly valuable.

Secure your recommendation early

Because the application will not be reviewed until a recommendation has been submitted, applicants should not leave this requirement until the last minute.

Apply early

The opportunity uses rolling review. Submitting a complete application early may therefore be preferable to waiting until the final deadline.

CONCLUSION

The CDC Advancing Active People, Healthy Nation Through Science – Physical Activity Fellowship is a specialized research and training opportunity for eligible U.S. citizens with a recent or forthcoming master’s or doctoral degree in a relevant discipline.

The fellowship combines public health research, physical activity promotion, community design, policy analysis, implementation science, evaluation, data analysis, scientific writing, and evidence translation. Participants will have the opportunity to work with multidisciplinary professionals while contributing to initiatives connected to CDC’s Active People, Healthy Nation campaign.

With a full-time initial appointment of one year, a participant stipend, opportunities for professional development, and potential exposure to peer-reviewed research and national public health initiatives, the fellowship can be particularly valuable for graduate-level researchers seeking experience in applied public health science.

However, applicants should pay close attention to the eligibility requirements. The opportunity is restricted to U.S. citizens, requires a qualifying master’s or doctoral degree obtained within the past 60 months or anticipated by January 27, 2027, and requires a complete application containing the application form, transcripts, current CV/resume, and at least one educational or professional recommendation.

Most importantly, applicants should remember the September 11, 2026, 3:00 PM Eastern Time deadline and the fact that applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Preparing and submitting a complete, carefully tailored application early can help ensure that the application is available for consideration.

Discover more global Fellowship opportunities on OFY HERE