Thomas Francis, Jr., Global Health Fellowship

Overview | Eligibility and Application Process | Selection Process | Application Information | Project Description |Recipients | Contact Information

Overview

The Thomas Francis, Jr., Global Health Fellowship provides financial assistance to graduate or professional students across disciplines at UW to do problem-solving practica in other cultures, usually developing countries. The endowment was established in memory of Dr. Thomas Francis, Jr., a notable physician, virologist, and epidemiologist. He was instrumental in teaching Jonas Salk the methodology of vaccine development, which ultimately led to the polio vaccine.

The fellowship, started in 2008, has been awarded to students in law, geography, public health, social welfare, engineering, public policy, epidemiology, and statistics. Students have studied in Bolivia, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Mexico, Senegal, Switzerland, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Uganda.

Eligibility and Application Process

  1. Eligible students may be enrolled in any graduate or professional school at the University of Washington and must submit a project proposal that addresses a global health issue or problem.  Projects should be one month to three months in length and must be completed by the end of Winter Quarter 2010. The Fellowship of up to $4,000USD can be used to support student travel costs, including room and board, travel health preparation, travel insurance, and/or supplies for a particular global health project. The Fellowship cannot be used to cover tuition costs, school supplies, conference attendanc,e or other non-project related expenses.

    In order to be eligible you must:

    • Be enrolled in a full-time graduate school or graduate-level professional degree program at the University of Washington (undergraduates, recent graduates, and medical residents are NOT eligible)

    • Identify an international experience, host organization (local or global) and host organization supervisor

    • Identify a University of Washington faculty mentor to assist you with the development of a project and connect the experience to your academic program and career goals

    • Submit via e-mail, a completed Thomas Francis, Jr., Global Health Fellowship application WITH supporting documentation by Wednesday, March 11, 2010 to ghrc@u.washington.edu. 

    • Supporting documentation must include: a signed Statement of Commitment from your host organization supervisor, a Letter of Commitment from your University of Washington faculty mentor, a copy of your current resume (no more than three pages) and a recent “unofficial” copy of your University of Washington transcript. (Please send all documents via email.)

Selection Process

Applications will be scored based on the strength of the proposal, the relevance to global health, and the applicant’s academic and career goals, the significance to the host organization and the commitment by the host organization supervisor, and a University of Washington faculty mentor.  Fellowship recipients must meet all program deadlines, attend a travel preparation orientation and participate in other Thomas Francis, Jr., Global Health Fellowship activities.

Application Information

Required Materials:

All materials must be submitted via email to ghrc@u.washington.edu

Application Deadline: March 11, 2010

  1. Thomas Francis, Jr., Global Health Fellowship application (Application Form)
  2. Current resume (no more than three pages)
  3. Recent unofficial UW transcripts
  4. Statement of Commitment from your host organization supervisor
  5. Letter of Commitment from your University of Washington faculty mentor
  6. Project description (1-2 pages)
  7. Budget: proposed expenses for travel and project related expenses up to $4,000USD.

Project Description

Project Description: 1-2 pages maximum covering the following topics

  • Statement of the problem addressed by this project (1-2 sentences max.)
  • Background on project and details of activities
  • Significance and potential benefits to the host organization
  • Significance to academic /career goals and past experience that prepares you for this project
  • Objectives and methods for completing the project
  • Timeline for travel and completion of project

Recipients

2008 Thomas Francis, Jr., Fellowship winners
Slideshow of 2008 fellows

Contact Information

Please submit questions about the Thomas Francis, Jr., Global Health Fellowship to dwade@u.washington.edu and application materials to: ghrc@u.washington.edu

 

Jill Brunner Scott, concurrent law/Master of Public Health student, worked with the International Health Regulations Secretariat at the World Health Organization in Switzerland.
Lillian Benjamin, a MPH student, pursuing a master’s in International Studies, and a certificate in International Development Policy and Management worked with a Gabon hospital’s community health outreach program.