Global Health Established Field Placements (GHEFP)

Global Health Established Field Placement (GHEFP) awards were developed to inspire students to enter into global health research and practice careers by providing international cross-cultural field experience. This program is a great opportunity for graduate students at Johns Hopkins to gain international experience in low- and middle-income countries.

Selected students will be awarded a grant of $3,500* from the Center to defray travel and basic living costs. Placements vary in length, with a minimum of eight weeks.

Awardees assist at the overseas site for the agreed time period. The placement site is not required to pay the student or contribute financially, though some choose to do so. Placement site faculty provide supervision and guidance on locating suitable housing and living in-country

*Actual award dollar amount may vary as awards may be subject to tax depending on your country of residence.

GHEFP 2024 Info Session

There will be an optional 2024 GHEFP Info and Q+A session on January 12, 2024 from 12:00pm-1:00pm to share a brief overview of the program and to answer any questions you may have as you complete your applications. 

Please register here for the session.

How to Apply

Step 1: Review placement opportunities 

2025 GHEFP Placements will be announced in January 2025.

Please see the list of GHEFP 2024 placements here. 

Step 2: Understand the matching process

Please note:

• JHU Faculty members cannot offer you a placement. Only the Center for Global Health can formally offer placements based on match suitability. 
• You may change your preferences only once and must schedule a conversation with the student program coordinator to make this change.
• Some faculty members elect to interview candidates for their sites, others do not. If you are scheduled for an interview, consult these guidelines in preparation. 

Step 3. Complete and submit all components of the application before the deadline 

1. Prepare your applications for each site.

• Download and save the “Application Form”. You will complete one form for each site to which you apply. Section 1 of the Application Form should be filled out identically for each site, and Section 2 should be written specifically with each site in mind. 
• Obtain a copy of your transcript (unofficial transcripts via the SIS website are acceptable).
• You may prepare a CV for submission (not required, but recommended)

2. Create a single application PDF document for each site.

• Combine your Application Form, Transcript, and CV (optional) into one single PDF per site, in that order.
• Name your file using the following naming convention:  StudentLastName_StudentFirstName_SiteNumber_Application
  (Example: Smith_Jane_456_Application)
  ***We will not accept files that are not named according to this convention. ***
• Upload each PDF document to the google form application.

3. Complete and submit the google form with your personal information, site  preference rankings, and uploaded applications for each site.

• Students are allowed to apply for up to three placements in priority order. If you are applying to fewer than three sites, please email the Student Program Coordinator (bsph.ghgrants@jhu.edu) to discuss this decision.

4. Obtain one letter of recommendation from your Hopkins advisor or another faculty member at Hopkins. 

• The same general recommendation form will be submitted to all 3 sites on your behalf.
• Your recommender should name the file: StudentLastName_StudentFirstName_LOR (Example: Smith_Jane_LOR)
• Your recommendation must be submitted by your recommender via email to bsph.ghgrants@jhu.edu by February 7, 2025 at 11:59pm EST.

Step 4. Faculty review and potential interviews.

Sites have the opportunity to interview applicants if they wish. Interviews will occur between February 11-March 15, 2025. If you are not contacted for an interview, do not worry. Not all sites feel the need to interview candidates. 

Step 5. Opportunity to change site rankings

Students have the opportunity to change their preferences ONCE and must schedule a conversation  with the student program coordinator to make this change by March 13, 2025 at 5:00pm EST

Step 6. Matching and Awards

The Center for Global Health will notify students of their award status in March.

Checklist for GHEFP award awardees

Prior to travel, students selected for our programs must pass the online course International Travel Preparation, Safety and Wellness (220.600.81) through the Department of International Health. 

Awardees must submit the following items to Dropbox 

• Faculty Student Agreement (FAS)
• CGH Overseas Travel Release Form
• Fill out CGH Travel Registry as soon as travel plans are confirmed
• CGH Personal Health Info and Checklist (complete, send a copy to your emergency contact in the US, and retain both electronic and hard copies for your travel)
• New Hire Information Sheet 

All grant recipients must fulfill program reporting requirements and participate in in Global Health Day (Date to be announced). 

Questions?

Check out the FAQ or contact the Student Program Coordinator: bsph.ghgrants@jhu.edu