Fellows & Scholars at 20: One program, 20 years, global impact | FIC

Fellows & Scholars at 20

 

Over the past two decades, Fogarty's Global Health Fellows & Scholars program has influenced the careers of hundreds of young scientists, sparking their interest in global health by enabling them to conduct hands-on research in developing countries. Many have emerged committed to pursuing global health careers and with initial study results that have formed the basis for fundable grant applications. The program’s impact has reached around the globe while transforming the lives of many of its over 1,450 alumni.

A truly global experience

Forty-eight countries hosted at least one research site from 2004 to 2021. The number of sites and countries expanded during each cohort. The first, the Fogarty-Ellison Overseas Fellowship in Global Health and Clinical Research Training, had sites in 15 countries. Fogarty International Clinical Research Scholars and Fellows Program expanded to 24 countries. In 2012, trainees were scattered across 34 countries. Starting in 2017, this expanded to 39 countries. In the first LAUNCH cohort, alumni trained in 27 countries. Due to economic shifts and NIH requirements, some countries which participated in earlier years have had no fellows or scholars in recent years.
 

World map with the 48 countries which hosted at least one research site from 2004 to 2021

Fogarty International Center Countries of Study: Forty-eight countries hosted at least one research site from 2004 to 2021. Due to economic shifts and NIH requirements, some countries which participated in earlier years have had no fellows or scholars in recent years. High-resolution image [JPG, 3 MB]

Expanding reach and impact with support from NIH partners

The Fellows & Scholars program grants are leveraged with generous support—financial and otherwise—from many NIH Institutes and Centers, which greatly expands the reach and impact of the program to advance science and build the next generation of global health leaders.

Bar graph showing the total funding to the Fellows & Scholars program by Fogarty (FIC) and NIH Partners, 2004-2021

Fogarty International Center Total Funding By Fogarty (FIC) and NIH Partners, 2004-2021: The Fellows & Scholars program grants are leveraged with generous support—financial and otherwise—from many NIH Institutes and Centers, which greatly expands the reach and impact of the program to advance science and build the next generation of global health leaders. High-resolution image [JPG, 1 MB]

Ensuring an equitable experience

As part of Fogarty's goal to build future leaders in global health research, the Fellows & Scholars program has always included trainees from both the U.S. and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In earlier iterations of the program, LMIC participants were only able to work in their country for the duration of their project. To ensure a more equitable training experience, the LAUNCH program now brings LMIC trainees to the U.S. for short-term research training experiences.
 

Bar graph showing the total number of both US and LMIC scholars/fellows enrolled in the program each year from 2004 to 2021

Fogarty International Center Percentage of U.S. and LMIC Trainees Over Time: As part of Fogarty's goal to build future leaders in global health research, the Fellows & Scholars program has always included trainees from both the U.S. and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). High-resolution image [JPG, 1 MB]

20 years of growth

Fogarty's Global Health Fellows and Scholars program has grown from its modest beginnings with only 35 scholars at 14 research institutions to supporting over 100 scholars at over 60 research institutions and sites each year. 
 

Graphic of timeline of teh Fellows and Scholars program

Fogarty International Center Timeline of Fogarty Global Health Fellows and Scholars, 2004-2023:Now in its 20th year, the Global Health Fellows and Scholars program has been known by many names, mirroring its evolution in priorities, demand, and opportunities for greater impact. High-resolution image [JPG, 1 MB]

Updated April 6, 2023