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The CDC EIS (Epidemic Intelligence Service) is a two-year, post-doctoral applied epidemiology training program run by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its officers, known as CDC’s “disease detectives,” investigate and respond to public health threats in the United States and internationally. The most common reason strong candidates fail to qualify is an eligibility detail: an MPH alone does not qualify. This guide gathers the profession-by-profession eligibility rules and the date cut-offs that CDC publishes on separate pages into one place. Everything below is as described on the official CDC EIS pages on 2026-10-29; the program changes from year to year, so confirm current rules on those pages before applying.
What it is and who runs it
EIS is described by CDC as its globally recognized applied epidemiology training program. CDC states that it was established in 1951 and has trained over 4,100 disease detectives. It is a two-year post-doctoral training program for health professionals interested in the practice of applied epidemiology. Officers learn from and work alongside subject matter experts while investigating real public health problems. For background on the discipline itself, see our guide to what epidemiology is and the broader public health field.
CDC says it seeks applicants from a variety of disciplines, experiences, backgrounds and perspectives. Selection involves virtual interviews, and outside Selection Advisors review applications and take part in the process; CDC states that reviewers are trained for a standardized, fair process.
Eligibility
CDC’s eligibility page states that an MPH is not a qualifying degree for EIS and that, in most cases, a doctoral-level degree is required. Applicants must also be willing to relocate to an assigned location, and CDC says they must be willing to move to Atlanta at a minimum. The table summarizes the profession-specific rules as the page describes them.
| Applicant background | Degree and license requirement (per CDC) | Date to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Physicians (MD, DO, MBBS) | Active, unrestricted US medical license by the application date. ACGME residents may apply with a training license but need an unrestricted license by the EIS start. | Application date; EIS start |
| Veterinarians (DVM, VMD) | Degree completed and license active and unrestricted. | Degree by July 1 of the application year; license by September 1 |
| Nurses and physician assistants (BSN, MSN, MPAS, DNP) | At least a BSN, plus an active, unrestricted US license. | License by the application date |
| Dentists and pharmacists (DDS, DMD, PharmD) | Doctoral clinical degree plus an active, unrestricted license. | Active license required |
| Doctoral scientists (PhD, DrPH, ScD) | Typically in public health or a related field such as epidemiology, biostatistics or behavioral sciences; other disciplines are considered. CDC invites applicants who are unsure to email [email protected]. | Thesis or dissertation defended before March 31 of the year entering EIS |
For clinical and veterinary applicants, CDC strongly encourages either an MPH (or equivalent) with epidemiology and quantitative coursework, or at least one year of full-time public health work. This is encouraged, not a substitute for the doctoral-level degree.
Non-US applicants
CDC says permanent residents must contact [email protected] before applying, and a Green Card must be valid for the full two-year appointment. The page also states that EIS currently cannot process applications from non-citizens who lack permanent resident status.
What it requires
EIS is a two-year commitment, not a one-off grant. CDC’s eligibility page says that, if selected, you are required to move to the location of your position, and that applicants must be willing to move to Atlanta at a minimum. CDC’s eligibility page also mentions an annual EIS conference, usually held in late April or early May; the 2026 conference is virtual.
Application steps
The CDC application page describes this sequence:
- Access the online application.
- Enter the email addresses of three recommenders (the system has a reminder feature).
- Enter institution information and upload unofficial transcripts.
- Clinical applicants upload their license; applicants upload TOEFL results unless exempt.
- Submit. After submission, only contact information can be changed.
Materials checklist
- Application information: education, training, work and volunteer experience, publications, presentations, grants and honors.
- Personal statement: a 300-word limit per prompt.
- Three standardized recommendation letters: two must come from people who are not CDC employees; letters are in English, and narrative letters and the MSPE are not accepted.
- Transcripts: unofficial at application; degrees from outside the US need a credentialing evaluation.
If accepted, official transcripts must reach CDC by January 31 of the year entering EIS.
Typical timeline phases
CDC’s pages describe phases rather than a single published calendar, and the application window is announced per class year (CDC’s about page lists the Class of 2027 application period as closed). Use the official page for the current window. The phases run in this order:
- Preparation: confirm degree, license and residency status; line up three recommenders.
- Application period: online submission with transcripts, statement and letters.
- Review and virtual interviews: outside Selection Advisors take part.
- Offer and paperwork: official transcripts due January 31 of the entry year; dissertation defense before March 31 for doctoral scientists.
- License confirmation: veterinary and resident-physician license deadlines fall before the start.
- Start of the two-year appointment.
Common mistakes
- Applying with an MPH as the only degree. CDC states it does not qualify.
- Missing a license or degree date. Veterinarians need the degree by July 1 and an unrestricted license by September 1; doctoral scientists must defend before March 31.
- Sending the wrong kind of recommendation. Narrative letters and the MSPE are not accepted, and two of the three letters must come from non-CDC employees.
- Exceeding the statement limit. The limit is 300 words per prompt.
- Assuming edits are possible after submission. Only contact information can change.
- Applying as a non-citizen without checking status. Permanent residents should contact CDC first; applicants without permanent resident status cannot currently be processed.
Related programs
These CASRAI pages cover neighboring topics for people weighing training and fellowship paths. They describe different programs; each has its own eligibility rules.
| Page | What it covers |
|---|---|
| What is epidemiology? | The discipline EIS trains officers to practice. |
| What is biostatistics? | The quantitative field behind epidemiologic analysis. |
| Outbreak investigation steps for hospitals | How outbreak investigations are structured in a hospital setting. |
| Postdoctoral fellowship | The general term for post-doctoral training appointments. |
| Early-career foundation fellowships compared | Other fellowship routes for early-career researchers. |
FAQ
Does an MPH qualify me for EIS?
No. CDC states that an MPH is not a qualifying degree and that, in most cases, a doctoral-level degree is required. An MPH is encouraged for clinical and veterinary applicants, in addition to their doctoral clinical degree.
How long is the program?
Two years, as a post-doctoral training program.
Can non-US citizens apply?
Permanent residents can, but must contact [email protected] before applying, with a Green Card valid for the full two-year appointment. EIS currently cannot process applications from non-citizens without permanent resident status.
How many recommendation letters are needed?
Three standardized letters, two of them from non-CDC employees. Narrative letters and the MSPE are not accepted.
Do I have to move?
Yes. Applicants must relocate to their assigned location and be willing to move to Atlanta at a minimum.
Sources
- CDC, About EIS, https://www.cdc.gov/eis/php/about/index.html, checked 2026-10-29.
- CDC, EIS eligibility, https://www.cdc.gov/eis/php/participants/eligibility.html, checked 2026-10-29.
- CDC, EIS application, https://www.cdc.gov/eis/php/participants/application.html, checked 2026-10-29.
