The ASPH/NHTSA Public Health Fellowship, a collaborative effort between the Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), is a unique training opportunity offered to graduates of accredited schools of public health.The selected fellow will work with national experts in injury prevention and motor vehicle and highway safety issues to examine the causes and etiology of motor vehicle crashes and injuries.

NHTSA´s mission is to save lives, prevent injuries and reduce economic costs due to road traffic crashes, through education, research, safety standards and enforcement activity. The agency develops, promotes and implements effective educational, engineering, and enforcement programs to prevent injuries and deaths and reduce economic costs associated with the nation’s roadways. NHTSA provides leadership to the motor vehicle and highway safety community through the development of innovative approaches to preventing roadway crashes and resulting deaths and injuries. NHTSA spearheads innovative research and data analysis critical to motor vehicle and highway safety and leads the nation by setting the motor vehicle and highway safety agenda.

What does the Fellowship offer you?
The selected fellow will work with experienced professionals in NHTSA to learn all components of the comprehensive approach to traffic safety; develop a thorough understanding of the shared missions between public health, traffic safety and injury prevention; and experience working within a Federal agency on projects affecting the public health of the entire Nation.

When and where are the Fellowships offered?
The fellowship position is a full-time opportunity for a one year period. The fellowship may be extended for a second and possibly third year, pending available funding and mutual agreement by the fellow, DOT/NHTSA, and ASPH. The fellowship position will be located at the U.S. Department of Transportation Headquarters (DOT), Washington, D.C. The selected applicant will be required to relocate to the fellowship location. Relocation expenses will not be reimbursed.

Eligibility
To be eligible, students must have received an MPH or Doctorate degree prior to the beginning of the fellowship (no later than August of the application year).  Early career professionals with MPH or Doctorate degrees (within 5 years of graduation) may also apply for the fellowship program. Applicants must have received their degree(s) from an ASPH-member, CEPH-accredited, graduate school of public health (click here), as well as be a U.S. citizen or hold a visa permitting permanent residence in the U.S., to be eligible for the fellowship program.  Certification in Public Health (CPH) preferred (http://www.nbphe.org/)

Fellowship Stipend
The fellow will receive an annual stipend paid in semi-monthly installments.  In addition, the fellow will have access to sufficient allowance to offset the costs of health insurance premiums and fellowship-related travel and training expenses.

The fellow is responsible for his/her own move to and from the fellowship site (relocation expenses are not covered).  The fellow is also required to maintain his/her own health insurance while in the fellowship program.

How are Fellows selected?
All applications to the fellowship program will undergo a technical review process by NHTSA staff based on the following criteria: quality of essay, strength of credentials, previous professional experience; and letters of recommendation. Finalists will then be evaluated to assess which of the candidates applying for the project is most suited for the fellowship.

How do I apply to the program?

There are two components to the application process, the online application and hard copy documents that must be mailed to ASPH in ONE package. The following lists all documents required to apply:

1. An essay (1500 word max) for each training area to which you are applying explaining your interests, strengths and qualifications for that position and how it will benefit your long-term career plans in the field of public health.
2. Resume/CV.
3. Two references - Name, email and phone number.

1. Two Generic Letters of Recommendation (from the references provided in the online application). Must be on a letter head with contact information and original signature. Does not need to be in a sealed envelope. Please request your recommenders to not fold or staple recommendation letters.
2. Signature Page available upon submitting the online application. You will need to print, and sign. Please do not fold or staple pages.
3. Official Graduate Transcripts (School of Public Health only). This will need to be in a sealed envelope issued by your school.
4. A copy of your Green card, if you are not a US Citizen.