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“Bloomberg Fellowship” in this guide means the Bloomberg Fellows Program, run by the Bloomberg American Health Initiative at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. It pays for a Master of Public Health (MPH) or Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) degree for a person employed by an organization working on a US public health challenge, and in return the fellow commits to a year of service with that organization. Everything below is as described on the official program pages on 2026-10-29; programs change by cycle, so confirm the current terms before you apply.
This is a two-sided arrangement. The fellow applies, but so does the employer: a collaborating organization must sign on, and the scholarship is a grant that converts into a loan if the fellow does not meet its terms. The sections below set out those mechanics as a checklist.
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Suggested question: “Is the Bloomberg Fellowship the same as other Bloomberg programs?”
What it is and who runs it
The Bloomberg Fellows Program is run by the Bloomberg American Health Initiative at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The official page describes it as public health training for people in organizations tackling critical challenges facing the United States. The “collaborating organization” can be public or private and does not have to be a traditional public health organization.
The program is organised around five focus areas: addiction and overdose, environmental challenges, food systems for health, adolescent health, and violence.
Eligibility
For the MPH fellowship, the official MPH page lists these conditions:
- You are currently based in the United States and employed full-time by the collaborating organization, both when you apply and throughout your studies and service.
- The organization’s work, and your own work, is based in the United States.
- You are accepted to the Johns Hopkins MPH program.
- You are not already matriculated in an MPH or DrPH program, or in a dual or joint degree.
Non-US citizens may apply if they meet these criteria. The collaborating-organization page states that volunteers are not eligible to apply. Source: the official MPH fellowship page and collaborating organizations page, checked 2026-10-29.
What it funds or requires
What the scholarship covers
The fellowship is a full scholarship for an MPH or DrPH. For the MPH it covers fees and tuition for up to 80 credits, plus a stipend for travel, books, fellowship-related expenses and in-person courses in Baltimore, for both full-time and part-time fellows.
MPH formats
The full-time MPH is in Baltimore and runs 11 months, from late June to late May. The part-time MPH combines online and in-person study and typically takes two to three years, with the fellow working full-time at the partner organization. According to the 2025 FAQ sheet, the MPH must begin in June and the DrPH begins in August. DrPH fellows are embedded within their organizations.
Requirements while enrolled
- At least 5 in-person credits in Baltimore.
- Letter grades in all courses (no audit).
- A practicum or capstone with the collaborating organization in the focus area.
- A June orientation, typically virtual.
- Attendance at the annual Bloomberg American Health Summit, which is mandatory for fellows and their organizations.
Service obligation and repayment
After graduation the fellow must work full-time with the collaborating organization, in the focus area, for one year, starting within one year of completing the degree. The organization pledges to employ the fellow for at least one year; the collaborating-organizations page describes that pledge as not legally binding. If the terms are not met, the fellow must repay the full amount of the grant award within 180 days, and may arrange a loan of up to 15 years at 1% annual interest (MPH page and 2025 FAQ sheet).
For comparison with another service-linked award, see CASRAI’s guide to DOST-SEI scholarships and their return service obligation.
What the organization commits to
The organization completes a Collaborating Organization Form, provides a letter of commitment if its fellow is accepted, provides practice opportunities, and attends conferences and seminars. It bears no cost under the program and is not required to pay fellows while they are in class.
Application steps
- Confirm the organization is willing to collaborate and that its work fits one of the five focus areas.
- Apply to the MPH or DrPH program through the Schools of Public Health Application Services (SOPHAS).
- Submit the Bloomberg Fellows Program applicant form and the Collaborating Organization form. For 2026-2027 the official page points to Submittable; the 2025 FAQ sheet referred to a different platform, so expect the platform to change between cycles.
- Meet the deadline. The official page states applications remain open until 11:59 PM EST on December 1, 2026. The 2025 FAQ sheet states there are no late applications.
- If you are admitted to the degree program, the fellowship decision is communicated by email (March in the 2025 cycle).
Both the school admission and the fellowship application are needed: being admitted to the degree does not by itself make you a fellow.
Typical timeline phases
| Phase | What happens |
|---|---|
| Application window | SOPHAS application plus the fellowship applicant and organization forms (closing on the deadline the current page states). |
| Decision | School admission and fellowship decision notified by email (March in the 2025 cycle). |
| Commitment | Letter of commitment from the organization and the grant agreement. |
| Start | June for the MPH, August for the DrPH. |
| Study | Coursework with in-person credits in Baltimore, plus the practicum or capstone. |
| Service | One year of full-time work with the collaborating organization, starting within one year of finishing the degree. |
Common mistakes
- Applying as a volunteer. Volunteers are not eligible; the applicant must be a full-time employee.
- Changing employer after an offer. Per the 2025 FAQ sheet, the offer is rescinded if the fellow changes organization after the offer, after acceptance, during onboarding, before the start date, or within six months of starting. The applicant may reapply the next year with the new organization.
- Already being enrolled. Applicants already matriculated in an MPH or DrPH, or in a dual or joint degree, are not eligible.
- Treating the award as unconditional. It is a grant that converts to a repayable loan if the service terms are not met.
- Missing the deadline. No late applications are accepted, and the date and platform are cycle-specific.
- Assuming the pledge is binding on the employer. The organization’s commitment to employ the fellow is not legally binding.
Related programs
| Page | Why it is related |
|---|---|
| Bloomberg Philanthropies: research and public health grantmaking model | CASRAI’s guide to the philanthropy’s wider research and public health grantmaking. |
| Major early-career foundation fellowships in science | Other foundation-funded fellowships, compared. |
| DOST-SEI scholarships | Another scholarship with a return service obligation. |
For background terms, see research fellowship and foundation grant.
FAQ
Is the Bloomberg Fellowship the same as other Bloomberg programs?
No. This guide covers the Bloomberg Fellows Program of the Bloomberg American Health Initiative at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health only.
What does the Bloomberg Fellowship pay for?
A full scholarship for an MPH or DrPH. The MPH scholarship covers fees and tuition for up to 80 credits and includes a stipend for travel, books, fellowship-related expenses and in-person courses in Baltimore.
Can I apply on my own?
No. You must be employed full-time by a collaborating organization that also submits its own form.
What happens if I do not complete the service year?
You must repay the full grant within 180 days, or arrange a loan of up to 15 years at 1% annual interest.
Is it only for people at traditional public health organizations?
No. The collaborating organization may be public or private and does not have to be a traditional public health organization, but its work must be in one of the five focus areas.
Sources
- Bloomberg Fellows Program, official page (Bloomberg American Health Initiative), checked 2026-10-29.
- MPH fellowship page, checked 2026-10-29.
- Collaborating organizations page, checked 2026-10-29.
- Bloomberg Fellowship FAQ sheet (2025 cycle), checked 2026-10-29.
