Year 1: Global Leadership & Research Accelerator

Fellows will build critical leadership skills that propel real change and conduct research tackling urgent health challenges—discover how the Fellowship empowers you to transform healthcare.

***DEADLINES ARE APPROACHING FOR 2025 FELLOWSHIP PLACEMENT***

Leadership & Research Skills Focus

Global Leadership

Your program begins by developing the leadership skills you need to excel during the Fellowship—and well beyond. Becoming a leader fuels the capacity to drive change for your career and those you serve.

The Forum Experience

All Fellows join a close-knit mastermind group of 6–8 peers from campuses nationwide, to both collaborate on their Fellowship projects and expand their professional success together

Research & Innovation

Fellows begin their research by gaining a thorough perspective of the health systems & cultural context in their chosen region, while simultaneously crafting solutions to enhance the status quo.

Year 1 Research Process

How College Credit is Earned

Global Leadership
1.0 Credits

We'll push you to develop an inquiring mind, a bias towards action, and resilience. At the end of the mini-course, you will be asked to gather and reflect on what you have learned to create your own "manifesto."

Forum Experience
1.0 Credits

The Forum Experience is a curated group of peers who meet bi-weekly over the course of 20 weeks to support each other’s personal and professional growth. Fellows must complete 75% of their meetings to earn credit.

Research Foundation
2.0 Credits

Fellows will gain local cultural context and understanding for their project country's healthcare system infrastructure while also beginning the innovation process with a submitted capstone project.

"Today's students can do more than just review case studies. The CGHS Fellowship program is the first of its kind that truly activates students to make a real impact that today's global communities so desperately need."
Ben Erker
Director of Impact & Evaluation, Global Brigades

Unparalleled Peer Networking Opportunities

CGHS Fellow Welcome Event, Marquette University 12/24

Chapter Events

Exclusive gatherings for Fellows to connect, collaborate, and engage in hands-on workshops, networking sessions, and impactful project discussions right on campus

The Forum Experience

All fellows will join their own personal mastermind group to work on their projects and propel one another for career success

Immediate Global Networking

From your first day you will be directly connected to members nationwide through online networking events, virtual summits, and our national conference

We get these questions a lot. Here are our best answers...

We’ve designed the Fellowship to fit seamlessly with a full undergraduate courseload, ensuring it’s manageable for busy students. The time commitment for the program is 1-2 hours per week. 

University-based fellowships are funded by your tuition, and similarly, our program fees support the costs of delivering a high-quality, hands-on Fellowship experience. The difference? Our Fellowship program offers the same impactful opportunities at a fraction of the cost compared to university tuition.

The Global Impact Fellowship program may be new to some University Chapters, but a variation of it was previously implemented through our partner, Global Medical Brigades®, at over 200 universities. The Global Impact Fellowship is an evolution of that program, now featuring a dedicated Chapter to provide students with a more focused and impactful journey.

No, travel is not required. However, all Fellows will have the option to complete a site visit to their assigned projects region in the second year of their Fellowship. This is an optional program feature. 

CGHS is accredited by Array Global, the parent organization that partners for co-accreditation with WASC (Western Accrediting Commission for Schools)  and MSA-CCS (Middle States Association – Commission for Colleges and Schools), both listed on the DAPIP (Database of Accredited Post-Secondary Institutions and Programs)

Nominated students are those on a health-related track or those who have shown a strong commitment to academic success. Our focus is on making a tangible impact in global communities in need, and we seek students who are ready to dedicate themselves to doing the work required to drive meaningful change.

Program fees directly support creating a remarkable, hands-on educational experience. This includes the planning and resources needed to deliver real-world healthcare projects, personalized mentorship, and leadership training. Fees also help fund on-campus events and activities, ensuring you gain valuable skills and connections throughout the program.

The program is designed with financial inclusivity in mind, priced at just $199— a fraction of traditional tuition—while offering an enriching, hands-on experience outside the classroom. Although we don’t offer traditional financial aid, students can start with a low monthly payment of $29, with the flexibility to cancel at any time, allowing them to explore the program and decide if it’s the right fit.

Any individual may apply to complete the Global Impact Fellowship. Students who have received an invitation are permitted to enroll without an application. Students who are admitted without an on-campus chapter will complete their program as a member of the Global Chapter which has it’s own live events & networking. 

We do not offer traditional financial aid or scholarships, but we’ve designed our program fees to be financially inclusive and as low as possible. Our all-inclusive monthly fees are a small fraction of typical tuition costs, ensuring accessibility while providing exceptional value for hands-on, real-world healthcare experience.

Fellowship Benefits

Healthcare career-focused tools and resources to help our Fellows drive success

Gain Real Research Experience

Show graduate schools and employers your commitment to global health by completing research to innovate solutions supporting communities-in need

Real Credentials

After the first year is completed, Fellows will will earn a Certificate for in Global Healthcare and a Google ® Certification for Project Management

Recommendation Letter

A recommendation letter will be provided from qualified executives, medical professionals, or a University advisor

Honors Fellow Designation

After submitting a final these in year 2, Fellows will receive Honors Fellow designation

Earn College Credit

Fellows have the option to complete an accredited version of the program to earn credits (4.0) for each year of the program they complete

Global Networking & Career Resources

Fellows immediately join a collaborative & global community, including local events, a national networking conference, and career planning tools