Q: Can I apply even if I have completed less than two semesters of graduate classwork by the application date, but will have finished two full semesters by the summer?

A: All individuals who will have completed two semesters of graduate classwork prior to their travel date are eligible.

Q: I have recently graduated, am I eligible for funding?

A: Recent public health graduates are eligible for funding. The NewAID Foundation seeks to encourage early-career public health scientists to follow their interests and continue work with neglected infectious diseases. Recent graduation is roughly defined as less than 2 years before the application date.

Q: I am a public health student studying in a country outside of the USA. Am I eligible for funding?

A: Unfortunately, no. We only provide funding for students studying at at school in the United States.

Q: Does The NEWAID Foundation have any contacts at institutions outside the United States which it would be willing to share with prospective applicants?

A: Currently, it is the responsibility of the applicants to locate sites for research.

Q: How much is each award?

A: Actual stipends may vary and are not guaranteed until notification is made in April-May. Students should budget for approximately $4,000 or less.

Q: How many awards will be given each year?

A: Numbers will vary from year to year and the final number of awards will not be decided until all applications have been reviewed.

Q: Can the money be used for research tools?

A: No stipulations are made as to how the money is spent.

Q: Can two applicants file together to work as co-researchers on the same project?

A: Yes. In the final section of the application, applicants may indicate that they are filing for two individuals by indicating at the top in large, bold letters: JOINT APPLICATION WITH XXX. Two applications must be submitted. Most importantly, APPLICANTS MUST SPECIFY in this space if they are simply seeking one award (e.g., $4,000) or if they want double the amount of a typical award (e.g., $8,000). Only exceptional awards will be given double the amount. Please email our organization before submitting a dual application to notify us.

Q: Where can the research be conducted?

A: Latin America, Asia, Africa, or Eastern Europe. Other areas will be evaluated on a case by case basis.

Q: I see that MD and PhD applicants aren’t eligible for the award. I have an MD or similar (ie MBBS) from a foreign institution and am now studying public health in the United States. Am I eligible?

A: Yes, we recognize that MD students in the United States have access to research funds that are not available to medical students and recent graduates from other countries. However, given your higher level of education and experience we tend to hold these applications to a higher professional standard and expect a very well constructed and thorough application.

Q: English is not my first language, can I still apply?

A: Absolutely. Applicants from all backgrounds are welcome to apply, and we favorably view applications where individuals are native speakers of the language in the countries where they will be working. However, it is important to note that we hope that all fellowship-funded projects can result in publication in peer-reviewed literature. A portion of our assessment of your ability to do this is based on the writing quality in the application. All applications are assessed by the same standards regardless of your first language, and applications that show problems with grammar and spelling are never considered for funding, so it is important to carefully review and edit all materials before submitting your application.