Global One Health Fellows
The Global One Health Fellows program brings together an interdisciplinary cohort of graduate students from across the university. Through courses, networking, and opportunities for professional development, fellows broaden their knowledge in multiple domains of One Health while learning from peers and mentors to bring new perspectives that facilitate a deeper understanding in their field of study.
One Health is the idea that the health of people is connected to the health of animals, plants, and ecosystems. As the Earth’s population grows, people are living closer together, causing changes in climate and land use, increasing global travel and trade, and interacting with animals as food and companions. A One Health approach tackles health threats by looking at all angles – plant, animal, biodiversity, environmental, and human – and recognizes the interconnectedness of these systems with the goal of improving their health outcomes simultaneously.
Global One Health Fellows will receive one year of support, including a $34,000 stipend, insurance coverage, and tuition remission. They will join an interdisciplinary cohort of graduate students interested in global dimensions of health across humans, animals, plants, and the environment. Fellows will broaden their knowledge in multiple domains of One Health, while learning from peers and mentors from other disciplines to bring new perspectives that facilitate a deeper understanding in their field of study. Fellows will also benefit from professional development opportunities, including through networking, public engagement, career exploration, and interdisciplinary mentorship.
Who should apply?
Diverse perspectives stemming from natural and social sciences, humanities, engineering, natural resources, textiles, education, design, and management are critical in addressing global One Health challenges. As such, students spanning all of NC State’s colleges and programs are encouraged to apply. The Global One Health Fellows program will support highly interdisciplinary cohorts that bring together diverse perspectives and approaches, learn best practices in cross-cutting communication and team science, and apply this interdisciplinarity for the benefit of their research.
To be eligible for the Global One Health Fellows program, applicants must be current or incoming graduate students at NC State with One Health research that aligns with one or more of the following Global One Health Academy thematic areas: food and water solutions, infectious diseases, and/or climate change and health disparities. Ideal applicants will be early in their academic career (1st or 2nd year), but later-career graduate students are welcome to apply if they have at least one year remaining prior to completion of their degree.
Fellowship activities
Global One Health Fellows will participate in the following activities:
- 2-credit hour One Health: From Philosophy to Practice course in Fall 2024 (a one-of-its-kind interinstitutional course collaboratively led by NC State, UNC, and Duke and hosted at the NC Biotech Center in RTP)
- 1-credit hour Global One Health seminar course in Fall 2024
- Monthly professional development meetings
- Global One Health Academy Research Symposium in Spring 2025
- Fall and spring mixers for Fellows and their advisors
Opportunities to identify and work with interdisciplinary faculty co-mentors will be provided and strongly encouraged.
Application Materials
The application consists of four parts:
- Research Statement. The Research Statement must consist of the following sections. There are not specific length requirements for each section, but the Research Statement overall should not exceed 2 pages total (12 pt font), excluding references.
- Describe your current or intended research. The hypothesis and/or research objectives should be clearly stated, along with the methods for addressing the hypothesis/objectives. This section should provide enough detail that an expert in the field can assess the research plan, but should be accessible so that non-experts can understand the general plan and its significance.
- Explain how your research aligns with the One Health framework. This section should clearly demonstrate that the planned work is at the intersection of human, animal, plant, and/or environmental health (i.e., the research must move beyond the study of a singular component of health and explicitly acknowledge the interconnectedness of these health systems). Please also note how the research aligns with one or more of the following GOHA thematic areas: food and water solutions, infectious diseases, and/or climate change and health disparities.
- Personal Statement. Describe how the scientific and professional development opportunities offered to the Global One Health Fellows will complement your current research program and contribute to your career goals. This may be discussed in terms of what you will gain from the program, and what unique perspectives you will contribute to the interdisciplinary cohort. Limit 1 page total (12 pt font).
- Curriculum Vitae (CV). No page limit.
- Letter of recommendation. Your advisor should submit a letter of recommendation that speaks to your suitability for the Global One Health Fellows program and their support for you to fulfill the program requirements. They should also submit a copy of your full graduate school application, which helps us to get to know your background better. To be submitted separately, directly from your advisor.
Applicants will be assessed based on the strength of their current or proposed research, its alignment with Global One Health Academy priorities, and a holistic view of the applicant’s existing skills and their potential to contribute to and benefit from the Global One Health Fellows program. Applications will be reviewed by faculty members from broad disciplinary backgrounds, so should be written in a way that the content is accessible and compelling to an interdisciplinary group with expertise spanning the sciences, social sciences, and humanities.