Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Fellowship 2027
Overview
The Global Burden of Disease Fellowship 2027 is a cohort-based postdoctoral training program lasting two years, with the possibility of a third-year extension based on performance and funding availability. Based at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington in Seattle, the program engages early-career researchers in health metrics by contributing to global health loss measurements. Fellows spend the first year learning GBD in depth and rotating through research teams, and the second year working more independently to lead methodological improvements and analyses. Program elements include an intensive boot camp, a monthly journal club, seminar presentations, short training courses, and faculty mentorship. International applicants are eligible, and visa sponsorship is available for those who can obtain a visa and be onsite by the start date in September 2027.
Who can apply
Applicants must hold a PhD, MD, DPhil, or a foreign equivalent with a strong foundation in quantitative methods from fields such as epidemiology, demography, biostatistics, medical sciences, health policy, economics, mathematics, computer science, statistics, or related disciplines. Current doctoral students are permitted to apply provided they complete their degree prior to the start date. Candidates must be no more than five years past their most recent degree and have no more than three years of prior postdoctoral experience as of the start date. Furthermore, applicants must have research experience involving data analysis and statistical methods, strong programming skills in R or Python, and working familiarity with GBD concepts and terms. This is a full-time, in-person position where fellows cannot be enrolled in another program or hold another position simultaneously.
What you get
Fellows receive an annual salary schedule set at 105,000 USD for the first year, 108,156 USD for the second year, and 112,488 USD for the third year if extended. In addition to compensation, participants receive a benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, retirement plans, transportation and fitness perks, and tuition exemption.
How to apply
Applicants must submit a curriculum vitae, responses to four short-essay questions covering their research, contribution to GBD, production work, and reasons for pursuing the fellowship now, along with the names and contact details of three professional or academic references.
Key dates
The application deadline is December 21, 2026, and the program begins in September 2027.