Undergraduate Gap Year and Fellowship Opportunities

Program NameDegree TimingDeadlinesProgram DescriptionTopic
AAMC Post-baccalaureate ProgramsAfter graduating with bachelors degreeVariedGap year programs designed to assist in the transition to med schoolMedicine
AmeriCorpsDuring or after graduation with a bachelors degreeVariedA network of national service programs, made up of three primary programs that each take a different approach to improving lives and fostering civic engagement. Members commit their time to address critical community needs like increasing academic achievement, mentoring youth, fighting poverty, sustaining national parks, preparing for disasters, and more.Public health, environmental health, policy, community engagement, advocacy, health disparities
Ashoka FellowsAfter graduating with bachelors degreeRollingEntrepreneurial solutions to social problemsSocial Entrepreneurship
Association of Public Health Lab FellowsAfter graduating with bachelors degreeVariedResearch scientist trainingBiostatistics, Epidemiology, Environmental Health, Maternal and Child Health
Boren Scholarships and FellowshipsDuring undergraduate degree or prior to starting a graduate degree (must have admission to graduate program)JanuaryBoren Scholarships provide funding for US students to study less commonly taught languages in regions critical to U.S. National Security, typically coupled with a research project specific to that region or location. 6-12 month program length. Funded by the U.S. Department of DefenseResearch in any field
CDC FellowshipsAfter graduating with bachelors degreeVariedPublic health training fellowships in a variety of fields.Evaluation, Epidemiology, Environmental Health
Emerson National Hunger Fellows ProgramAfter graduating with bachelors degreeOctoberrains and inspires new leaders in the movement to end hunger and poverty in the United States. Fellows gain vital first-hand experience through placements with community-based organizations across the country as well as policy-focused organizations in Washington, D.C.Policy, Health Disparities
FamiliesUSA Viller & Wellstone FellowsAfter graduating with bachelors degreeVariedFederal experience in health care advocacy and justice.Health Equity
Fulbright U.S. Student ProgramAfter graduating with bachelors degreeSeptemberhe Fulbright U.S. Student Program is designed to give recent Bachelor’s graduates, Master’s and Doctoral candidates, young professionals, and artists opportunities for personal development and international experience. Projects may include English teaching assistantships, independent research, or university coursework or degree programs.Research in any field
Global Health CorpsAfter graduating with bachelors degreeFebruaryCommunity of emerging leaders for toward health equity.Health Equity
Herbert Scoville Jr. Peace FellowshipAfter graduating with bachelors degreeJanuaryNational fellowship program that provides recent college and graduate school alumni with the opportunity to gain a Washington perspective on key issues of peace and security.Environmental Health, Policy, Climate Change
Leland International Hunger FellowsAfter graduating with bachelors degreeEarly fall semesterTrains emerging leaders in the movement to end hunger worldwide. Each class of twelve to fifteen dedicated fellows develops the tools and skills they need to become effective change agents, advancing the goal of a hunger-free world by strengthening host organizationsPolicy, Health Disparities
National Academies Policy FellowshipsAfter graduating with bachelors degreeVariedFederal government fellowships for scientific career developmentResearch in variety of scientific fields
Office of Personnel Management (U.S. Federal Government)During undergraduate degree or immediately after graduatingVariedThis Program is designed to provide students enrolled in a wide variety of educational institutions, from high school to graduate level, with opportunities to work in agencies and explore Federal careers while still in school and while getting paid for the work performed. Students who successfully complete the program may be eligible for conversion to a permanent job in the civil service.Health policy, Population health, Biostatistics
Peace CorpsAfter graduating with bachelors degreeRolling2-year service commitment in high-need location overseas, working in a specific sector of need identified by the host countryHealth, Community Development, Agriculture, Environmental Health, Education, Youth Development
Teach for AmericaAfter graduating with bachelors degreeFall semesterTop college graduates serve as teachers for 2-year commitment in low-income communities.Education, Community Development
United Nations FoundationDuring undergraduate degree or immediately after graduatingVariedAs a UN Foundation intern, you play a critical role in supporting our work. If you are enrolled in a degree-seeking program or a recent graduate (less than eight months), you can apply!Policy, Advocacy, Communications, Data Management, Community Outreach
U.S. Public Health Commissioned Corps Internship ProgramDuring undergraduate degreeSummerStudents participating in JRCOSTEP work in the same exciting Federal agencies and programs as active duty Commissioned Corps officers. Typical assignments vary from 31 to 120 days during official school breaks.Engineering, Environmental Health, Pharmacy, Nursing
White House FellowsAfter graduating with bachelors degreeNovemberFirst-hand experience in policy, leadership, and public service with 1-year of service in the White House Policy, Leadership, Public Service