Global Health
Experiential Fellowship
A 5-week, in-person global health research + fieldwork fellowship in rural Uganda for early-career trainees. Community-engaged projects and tangible research outputs.​​​​
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Work in mixed Ugandan + U.S. teams on a community-engaged research project
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Experiential training in global health research methods + implementation science
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Tangible outputs (analysis + conference-ready presentation; potential manuscript co-authorship)
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All-inclusive in-country experience with full program support (housing, meals, transport, and on-the-ground team)
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Optional: Shared Clinical Learning at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital
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Program Leadership: Yang Jae Lee, MD (Principal Investigator; University of Washington)
Robert Rosenheck, MD (Co-Principal Investigator; Yale University)
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Evidence: Program evaluation published in SSM–Mental Health
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​Watch the 2-minute overview
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​​​​​​What is GHEF?
The Global Health Experiential Fellowship (GHEF) is a five-week, in-person program in rural Uganda for motivated early-career applicants—undergraduate, graduate, and medical students, gap-year trainees, and early-career professionals seeking structured global health research + fieldwork. Fellows work in mixed teams with Ugandan and U.S.-based trainees on community-engaged research projects addressing key topics in global health.
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How the program works
GHEF combines experiential training in global health research methods and implementation science with on-the-ground fieldwork. The fellowship emphasizes equitable global health practice through collaboration, mutual respect, and community partnership.
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Evidence + outcomes
The program’s impact is described in a peer-reviewed program evaluation published in SSM–Mental Health, which found growth in career development, research skills, and cultural exposure among both Ugandan and international fellows. The publication was co-authored by leaders in global health education, including Dr. Robert Rohrbaugh (Yale), Dr. Adam Brown (The New School), and Dr. Brandon Kohrt (George Washington University).
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Optional: Shared Clinical Learning (SCL)
Fellows may also choose to participate in Shared Clinical Learning (SCL) at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital, shadowing Ugandan physicians and gaining exposure to healthcare delivery in resource-limited settings. GHEF fellows may join SCL before or after their reserach placement in Mpunde, or extend their stay.
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Applications for the 2026 Summer Global Health Experiential Fellowship are open.
Have questions about GHEF?
Join our monthly Q&A sessions with the GHEF leadership as they share insights, advice, and real experiences from the field.
No registration needed—just click the Google Meet links below and drop in whenever you’re ready.
Wednesday, January 21, 2026 — 10:00–11:00 AM EST. Join here.
Tuesday, February 24, 2026 — 10:00–11:00 AM EST. Join here.
Thursday, March 19, 2026 — 10:00–11:00 AM EDT. Join here.
Watch GHEF Stories and Daily Life from Uganda
See real moments from the Global Health Experiential Fellowship through our @empowerthroughhealth Instagram Stories — featuring daily life, fieldwork, and trips from our fellows in Uganda.
And watch our past info session to learn more!
Equity and Skill-Building
GHEF is designed to be skill-building, not service tourism. Fellows work in mixed Ugandan + U.S. teams with shared mentorship and contribute to community-engaged projects that are locally grounded.
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What equity looks like in practice
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Mixed teams with Ugandan and U.S.-based fellows and trainees
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Uganda-based program staff involved in project leadership and day-to-day mentorship
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Community-engaged research aligned with local priorities and long-term partnerships
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Ugandan fellows attend cost-free, supporting equitable participation and shared learning
Scholarly outputs
In 2023, ~80% of fellows became co-authors on peer-reviewed publications from their GHEF projects. Authorship follows ICMJE criteria and varies by project and contribution.​​
Yasmiere Burke
GHEF 2025
"This was my first time working with qualitative research. I think it was amazing to see how stories could cultivate research. Public health in that way is one of my favorite sciences"
Mercy Masika Masitula
GHEF 2025
"I have been able to gain new experiences and learn about the health dynamics in rural settings. I have made new friends, learnt new research skills and above all my desire to cause impact in local communities has been ignited."
Ethan Chang
GHEF 2024
"I'm so glad I decided to come and that I applied... I've learned a lot while being here, in particular, the Ugandan lifestyle, which is completely different from the lifestyle I know at home."
Lindsey Skole
GHEF 2021
"I learned so much about myself, learned about the world around me, learned so much about the best way to conduct research and make a difference in the world of global health."
Anoop Sunkara
GHEF 2021
"My experience completely changed my persepctive on global health and through conversations with village members I learned the importance of working hand-in-hand with the community you are serving."
Talia Wagner
GHEF 2024
"Coming away from this, I had not done any sort of qualitative research before, so just kind of getting a handle on what that really looks like and doing that sort of research is probably one of the biggest things I’ve learned in the context of this program."