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Welcome to APHL’s Application Portal, where you can apply for the many different learning and leadership opportunities provided through APHL. Our mission to create a healthier world through quality laboratory systems starts with you!

Before You Begin

To apply, you will need to have an APHL online account. If you do not have an account, you can create one by clicking "create account" in the top right.

Choose the program for which you are applying from the tabs above. Pay attention to the open and close dates of the application periods for each program.

Thank you for choosing to join our mission of shaping national and global health outcomes by promoting the contributions of public health laboratories and continuously improving the public health laboratory system and practice. If you have questions about the application and submission process, please contact the email for the program to which you are applying or info@aphl.org.


How To Apply

  1. Create your APHL online account, if you do not have one already.
  2. Click "User Login" to log into the application portal with your email address and password.
  3. Create your online application and select the program you are applying for from the drop down.
  4. Save your application often as a draft throughout the application process. You will not be able to submit the application as final until all required information within the application is provided.
  5. Before clicking the “Submit as Final” button, please review your entire submission to confirm your responses, that all uploaded materials are correct and that your references have submitted their responses. Once your application is submitted as final, you will not be able to make further updates.

Privacy statement

Application information will be used solely for the selection, matching and placement of fellows and will be disclosed only to members of the selection committee, the interviewing mentor(s) and APHL and CDC representatives responsible for program administration. Aggregate data based on the application materials may be used to evaluate the direction and progress of the programs. There will be no attribution of data specific to individual applicants. Once accepted into the Public Health Laboratory Fellowship Program, an applicant will be expected to grant APHL and CDC a right to print and disseminate the names and photographs of fellows for use in program marketing, publications or other materials. APHL is an equal opportunity employer, and its Public Health Laboratory Fellowship Program welcomes applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, veteran status, disability, age, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Please see the APHL Data Sharing Policy for more details.

The Emerging Leader Program (ELP) ignites the potential of laboratory professionals to create a lasting impact. Our program seeks out laboratory scientists from state, local, environmental, and agricultural laboratories, brimming with leadership potential and exceptional qualities, ready to embrace strengths, unlock hidden potential, and thrive on constructive feedback.

Throughout the year-long journey, ELP participants immerse themselves in a dynamic program designed to strengthen leadership skills, foster team building, and cultivate vibrant social and professional networks. Together, we tackle the ever-evolving challenges and opportunities within public health laboratories.

And the journey doesn’t end there! Upon completion of the program, participants continue to connect with past cohorts, ensuring the ongoing impact of ELP and fostering relationships across regions to expand their network.

Vision

By the end of the program, participants will have honed their leadership skills, strengthening their proficiency in a wide range of essential competencies, which may include:

  • Skills necessary to advance into managerial and supervisory roles
  • Mastery in delegation and task management
  • Strengthened motivation, teamwork, and collaboration skills
  • Effective mentoring and coaching techniques
  • Heightened emotional intelligence for effective leadership
  • Improved stakeholder relations and advocacy skills
  • Advanced proficiency in conflict resolution and problem-solving strategies
  • Strategic thinking refined to navigate complex challenges
  • Expertise in change management methodologies
  • Refined communication skills for impactful leadership
  • Proficient resource management techniques
  • And an extensive range of additional skills vital for successful leadership

Expectations

  • Attend up to three in-person trainings
  • Attend monthly virtual skills-based training sessions
  • Complete pre-meeting and post-meeting assignments
  • Participate in a virtual peer-to-peer coaching program
  • Collaborate on a project addressing a critical laboratory workforce challenge, which may require additional in-person meetings, virtual meetings and offline work
  • Participate in the Emerging Leader Community of Practice (an online forum)

2024-2025 Timeline

  • April 9, 2024: ELP Application Launch
  • May 19, 2024: ELP Application Closes
  • June-July 2024: ELP Application Review and Selection Process
  • July 2024-August 2024: Announcements Regarding Selection of Incoming ELP Cohort
  • September 2024: In-person Orientation and Project Selection
  • October 2024: ELP Project Development
  • November-December 2024: Launch of Coaching Experience, Virtual Sessions, Activities and Assignments
  • January 2025: Second In-person Meeting and Project Pitch
  • February 2025: Virtual Session, Activities and Assignments
  • March 2025: In-person Meeting and Team Building (Rowing Activity)
  • April 2025: Virtual Session, Activities and Assignments
  • May 2025: APHL Annual Conference where ELP will give project presentation.
  • June-July 2025: Virtual Session, Activities and Assignments
  • August 2025: Final ELP Evaluation & Graduation

APHL accepts participants from Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Public Health Agency of Canada. However, those entities maintain their own application and selection process. If you belong to one of those entities and are interested in participating in the Emerging Leader Program, please contact your supervisor instead of applying directly through APHL.

Although the Emerging Leader Program currently does not accept international applicants, APHL's Global Health Program works with countries all around the world to build strong and resilient national laboratory systems. For more information contact our Global Health Program at global.health@aphl.org.

To learn more about the ELP program and application process, please visit the APHL Emerging Leader Program Webpage.


Contact

For questions about ELP, including eligibility, selection process and other details, contact Leadership@aphl.org

Program Requirements and Benefits


  • The University of Iowa certificate program is a 12-month commitment. The program will be completed asynchronously online for the fall and spring semesters and will require two separate 1-week in-person laboratory courses during the summer session. If admitted to the program, awardees will receive scholarship support for tuition, books and travel and will need to apply to the University of Iowa College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in conjunction with university staff.
  • Program participation requires a B or better in all courses for continued scholarship support.
  • The program consists of graduate-level coursework and, if admitted to the University of Iowa, scholarship awardees are expected to act responsibly and behave professionally with faculty and other students.
  • Scholarship awardees must maintain enrollment with the University of Iowa and employment at a state, local or territorial laboratory during the program's duration and are expected to continue to support the PHL community after completion of their program of study.
  • By receiving scholarship support through APHL, awardees are expected to participate in the APHL Radiochemistry Community of Practice and as a mentee in a radiochemistry certificate mentorship with APHL Radiochemistry Advisory Group members.
  • After completion, awardees are expected to complete a brief survey to provide feedback on the certificate program, its impact on your jurisdiction’s radiochemistry program, and other APHL radiochemistry initiatives.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

  • be authorized to work in the US and be 18 years of age or older.
  • have completed eight hours (two semesters) of undergraduate chemistry coursework.
  • have completed a BA/BS degree with a grade-point average (GPA) of at least 2.50 on a 4.00 scale.
  • be a permanent employee at a state, territorial, or local public health, environmental or agricultural laboratory.
  • have worked for the laboratory at least one year before starting the program.
  • have laboratory director approval to participate in the program.

  • Laboratory director approval for course participation, including summer travel away from the laboratory for two separate in-person course weeks at the University of Iowa
  • One professional reference (laboratory director or manager) willing to provide a short narrative on the applicant’s qualifications and the laboratory’s needs.
  • Unofficial undergraduate college-level transcript
  • Current resume

If you do not have an account with APHL, please use either a permanent personal or permanent professional email address to create account now.

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Contact Us

Association of Public Health Laboratories
7700 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1000
Bethesda, MD 20814
Phone: 240-485-2745

For questions about ELP, including eligibility, selection process and other
details, contact Leadership@aphl.org.

For questions about the Radiochemistry Certificate Program Scholarship 
please contact eh@aphl.org.

All other questions including issues with the application please contact info@aphl.org.

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