IPPHL Admissions

• Mid-career public health professional working in government, for a government initiative/partner, or government entity at the federal, regional, state, or provincial level in Africa. IPPHL defines mid-career as someone who has been working in the health sector (inclusive of clinical and community health work) for at least 7 years. 

• Responsible for the development of health policies and/or managing public health program(s) and accountable for the performance of said policies/programs. 

• Supervisory responsibilities, either individual staff or a team. 

• Able to link the focus of their work to at least one of the following Gates Foundation global priorities: 1. helping end the preventable deaths of mothers, babies and children, and 2. ensuring the next generation grows up without having to suffer from deadly infectious diseases. 

• Holds a degree related to public health or medicine.

• A citizen and resident of a country in Africa.

• Strong English-language skills, and the ability to articulate the various policy or program implementation challenges that they deal with in public health. 

Participation & Commitment

If accepted, you will be required to attend all live virtual and in-person components of the program including completing prep work for the session. See estimated time(s) below:

1. Orientation (March 16-18, 2027) – three (3) virtual live sessions: Introduction to the IPPHL program and your cohort, the policy project, executive leadership coaches, and the global IPPHL Network.
2. Independent Policy Prep (March 22 – April 16, 2027) – self-paced online preparation for sessions and policy project.
3. Policy Intensive (April 20 – June 3, 2027) – Fourteen (14) virtual live sessions: An average of 5-7 hours per week on programmatic assignments, such as reading case studies and articles, completing self-assessments, meeting with their executive coach and faculty advisor, and participating in the live online sessions.
4. Leadership Immersion (June 17 – 30, 2027) – TBD, Africa: 2 weeks of in-person experiential learning, workshopping, networking, and individual leadership development. Full attendance is required.
5. Launch & Learn (July 7 – August 27, 2027) – independent policy project work; three (3) virtual session touchpoints: Fellows begin applying the leadership, implementation, and policy frameworks in their places of work. The cohort convenes for three 90-minute sessions to check-in on progress with colleagues. Fellows finalize their written policy projects during these six weeks.
6. Capstone Seminar (September 3 – 8, 2027) – TBD, Africa: The cohort convenes in-person for the final after-action to assess progress and strategize how to move projects, agendas, and teams forward. Full attendance across all days is required.

Throughout your time in the program, you will complete a policy project that focuses on an implementation or policy challenge you are facing in your work. You will be paired with a faculty advisor who will support you in the development of your project and you will be asked to meet with your advisor for regular feedback.

You will also be paired with an executive coach from the Center for Creative Leadership for your leadership journey, identifying a personalized plan for continued leadership growth and development. You will be asked to complete a “360-evaluation” and other leadership style assessments, which will inform your understanding of your leadership strengths and growth areas. The 360-evaluation will involve soliciting feedback from your boss, peers, direct reports, and others.

Language Requirements

The program is currently conducted almost exclusively in English, with some light language support including offering executive coaching in multiple languages and translation of select program materials. While we are working on greater language accessibility, for now, we require that all incoming fellows have a command of English that will allow them to fully participate in the program. This includes engaging in discussions, following fast-paced and complex session content, completing written and reading assignments, and participating in advising sessions. Throughout the program, the IPPHL team is available to support fellows in their program journey as best as possible, and we welcome feedback on how to make the program easier to navigate.

Travel & Visa

Our 2026 in-person Leadership Immersion and Capstone programming will be held in Africa, with locations to be announced to the Cohort at the start of program. Fellows will be required to travel to attend both in-person components of the program. IPPHL will arrange and cover costs of travel and visas required for program attendance.

Technology Requirements

If admitted, participants must have access to a reliable device such as a desktop computer or laptop. Live course sessions, which are roughly three hours per week during the Policy Intensive, require stable internet, a webcam, speakers, and microphone. We understand the quality and availability of internet is not always certain and that this may affect participation in some sessions.

Applications for the 2027 Cohort will open on Tuesday, July 21, 2026 and close on Tuesday, August 11, 2026.

Applicants will be required to complete an online application form by the application deadline. Please be prepared to complete the following steps in the application to apply:

• Complete initial screening questions to determine eligibility.
• Complete personal information, employment history and education history questions.
• Answer 4 short essay questions limited to 1500 characters each.
• Invite your direct supervisor to complete a recommendation form directly through the application portal (please provide your supervisor sufficient time to complete their recommendation). Recommendations must be submitted by Thursday, August 13, 2026 to ensure a complete application packet for review.
• Attach your CV.

Please note that due to the rigorous multi-step review process, we are unable to provide extensions. We ask that all candidates submit their completed applications by the deadline indicated for the admissions cycle.

Program Questions: 

What type of degree is awarded at the end of IPPHL? 

• The International Program in Public Health Leadership is a non-degree, non-credit program offering participants a signed certificate of completion. 

What is the cost? 

• There is no application, tuition, or other program fee. IPPHL makes every effort to cover most direct costs associated with the program, including lodging and airfare for the two-week Leadership Immersion and the one-week Capstone Seminar. Participants are responsible for covering certain costs, such as visa fees and internet connectivity, and will receive limited financial support for these expenses either during or after the completion of the program. 

Eligibility Questions: 

Am I eligible to apply if I work for a for-profit organization, NGO, or IGO (including WHO, USAID, UNITAID, etc…)? 

• Our primary objective is to train individuals who work directly in or closely with the country’s government health system. Individuals working for IGOs, NGOs, or for-profit organizations who do not work closely/partner with the government on public health policies/programs do not fit the candidate profile and would not be eligible for the program. Individuals working for NGOs that partner with government on health delivery in a highly integrated way are eligible to apply for the program. 

Does my work need to directly link to one of the two Gates Foundation global priorities in order to be considered for the program? 

• The program is interested in candidates whose work aligns with two of the Gates Foundation’s global priorities: 1. helping end the preventable deaths of mothers, babies and children and 2. ensuring the next generation grows up without having to suffer from deadly infectious diseases. We are open to candidates working in a wide range of health areas as well as engaged in core health system strengthening activities who can connect their work to one of these overarching goals. 

I am originally from Africa but now live in the USA or other non-African country. Can I still apply for the program? 

• To be eligible for this program, applicants must be currently living and working in an African country. Applicants must also be citizens of an African country, though do not necessarily need to be working and living in the same African country as the country of their citizenship. 

Is the program only meant for employed individuals?   

• We require candidates to be employed and provide a recommendation from their direct supervisor at the time of application to the program. A large portion of the program relies on surveys and feedback from the participant’s workplace, as well as the ability to pull from current work situations, including for the development of their fellowship project. 

I do not have a public health degree, am I eligible to apply?   

• Our target candidates for the program are individuals with a medical background or a degree related to public health or another health-related field.  

I’m a University lecturer or professor, or an educator in a teaching hospital. Am I eligible to apply? 

• Our target candidates for the program are individuals who are currently working in their health ministries and responsible for managing public health program(s) with supervisory responsibilities. Candidates who meet these criteria while also working as lecturers, professors, or other educators are welcome to apply. Individuals who solely work as lecturers, professors, or other educators are not eligible for the program. 

I’m a full-time student pursuing a University degree, PhD or other advanced degree. Am I eligible to apply? 

• Full-time students are not eligible for the program. Those pursuing a degree part-time while also working in a role that aligns with IPPHL’s target candidate are welcome to apply for consideration, though will likely find it challenging to keep up with the intensive and high-paced nature of the program. 

Is there an English language test we need to take, or will we need to submit English language proficiency scores? 

• There is no official English language test, but participants will be required to demonstrate a high level of proficiency in English during the application process, including an interview should they be selected for one.