Applications are open for the Fellowship in Outbreak Readiness for Global Health Protection (FOR-GHP), a 1.5-year professional development opportunity designed to strengthen outbreak preparedness, emergency response, and resilience among public health professionals in sub-Saharan Africa. The fellowship brings together international and African public health institutions to develop the skills and competencies needed to prepare for, prevent, and respond to health emergencies. Through a blended learning and multiplier approach, the programme aims not only to strengthen individual fellows but also to create a wider impact across public health organizations and systems. The initiative is particularly relevant for professionals working in public health who want to strengthen their expertise in health emergency preparedness and contribute to more resilient public health structures in their countries. The application deadline is 21 October 2026. About the FOR-GHP Fellowship The Fellowship in Outbreak Readiness for Global Health Protection is a collaborative initiative involving iACE Global Health at the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine (BNITM), the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET), the Robert Koch Institute, and Swiss TPH. The fellowship is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Health within the framework of the Global Health Protection Programme (GHPP). Its central objective is to strengthen workforce competency in health emergency preparedness, response, and resilience across public health structures in sub-Saharan Africa. The programme recognizes that effective outbreak response depends on having skilled professionals and strong institutions capable of identifying risks, coordinating interventions, communicating effectively, and maintaining essential public health functions during emergencies. What Participants Will Gain The FOR-GHP Fellowship provides participants with an opportunity to strengthen their professional knowledge and competencies in outbreak readiness and global health protection. The programme’s blended learning model is designed to combine different forms of learning, collaboration, and professional exchange. Fellows can engage with experts and colleagues while developing knowledge that can be applied within their own professional environments. The fellowship focuses on areas related to: Health emergency preparedness Outbreak readiness Emergency response Public health resilience Workforce competency development Global health protection Public health capacity strengthening Knowledge transfer and multiplication Rather than limiting its impact to individual participants, the fellowship uses a multiplier approach. Fellows can contribute to sharing knowledge and strengthening competencies among colleagues and within their respective public health structures. Who Can Apply? The opportunity is intended for professionals working in public health in sub-Saharan Africa. Applicants must be citizens of a country in sub-Saharan Africa and work in the public health sector. The fellowship may be particularly relevant to professionals whose work relates to outbreak preparedness, disease surveillance, epidemiology, health emergency response, public health programmes, or related areas. Candidates should carefully review the official application information to confirm all eligibility requirements and selection criteria before applying. The programme is designed for professionals who are motivated to strengthen their ability to contribute to health emergency preparedness and response and who can potentially share their knowledge within their institutions and professional networks. Why Outbreak Readiness Matters Disease outbreaks and public health emergencies can develop rapidly and affect communities, countries, and regions. Effective preparation therefore requires trained professionals who can respond quickly while coordinating with institutions, communities, and other stakeholders. Strengthening the public health workforce is an important part of building resilient health systems. The FOR-GHP Fellowship responds to this need by supporting competency development among public health professionals in sub-Saharan Africa. By combining international expertise with regional knowledge, the programme seeks to contribute to stronger preparedness and response capacities. The fellowship’s multiplier approach is particularly significant because participants can potentially use their newly developed knowledge to support colleagues and organizations beyond the fellowship itself. International and African Collaboration The programme brings together organizations with extensive experience in global health, tropical medicine, field epidemiology, disease prevention, and public health protection. iACE Global Health at the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine contributes expertise in global health and tropical medicine. AFENET is a major African network focused on strengthening field epidemiology and public health capacity across the continent. The Robert Koch Institute contributes expertise in infectious disease surveillance, public health protection, and health emergency preparedness. Swiss TPH brings extensive experience in global health, public health, tropical medicine, and health systems. Together, these partners create an international platform for strengthening outbreak readiness competencies among public health professionals in sub-Saharan Africa. Fellowship Duration and Learning Format The FOR-GHP Fellowship runs for 1.5 years. Its blended learning format is intended to make professional development accessible while connecting fellows across different countries and public health systems. The multiplier model also means that participants are expected to contribute to wider workforce competency development rather than keeping the knowledge and experience gained exclusively for themselves. This can make the fellowship especially valuable for professionals interested in leadership, institutional capacity strengthening, and long-term improvements in public health preparedness. Funding and Support The fellowship is funded through the Global Health Protection Programme (GHPP) by the German Federal Ministry of Health. The programme provides an international professional development platform supported by the participating institutions. Applicants should consult the official fellowship information for the complete details regarding financial support, participation arrangements, programme requirements, and any other conditions associated with the fellowship. How to Apply Interested public health professionals should review the official FOR-GHP Fellowship announcement and complete the application process before the deadline. Candidates should ensure that they meet the citizenship and professional requirements and carefully prepare all information requested in the application. Because the fellowship is designed for public health professionals in sub-Saharan Africa, applicants should clearly demonstrate their connection to the public health sector and their motivation to strengthen outbreak readiness and health emergency preparedness. Application Deadline The application deadline for the FOR-GHP Fellowship is: 21 October 2026 Eligible candidates are encouraged to begin the application process early rather than waiting until the final day. Applicants should also check the official programme information for any updates to the application requirements or selection process. Key Details at a Glance Fellowship: Fellowship in Outbreak Readiness for Global Health Protection (FOR-GHP)Duration: 1.5 yearsTarget group: Public health professionalsEligible region: Sub-Saharan AfricaNationality: Citizens of countries in sub-Saharan AfricaFocus: Outbreak readiness, health emergency preparedness, response, and resilienceFormat: Blended learning and multiplier approachPartners: iACE Global Health/BNITM, AFENET, Robert Koch Institute, and Swiss TPHFunder: German Federal Ministry of Health through the Global Health Protection ProgrammeApplication deadline: 21 October 2026 Conclusion The FOR-GHP Fellowship 2026 offers public health professionals from sub-Saharan Africa an opportunity to strengthen their competencies in outbreak readiness, health emergency preparedness, response, and resilience. With support from leading African and international public health institutions, the 1.5-year programme combines professional learning with a multiplier approach intended to extend its impact across public health structures. Public health professionals who are citizens of sub-Saharan African countries and are committed to strengthening health emergency preparedness are encouraged to explore the opportunity and submit their applications before 21 October 2026. VISIT HERE TO APPLY For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and WPChannel Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding. 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