Fellows program

Guidance

To be eligible for the International Maternal Newborn Health Conference (IMNHC) Fellowship Program, candidates must meet ALL requirements below:

• Be between 18 and 35 years old on 8 May 2023
• Have 5 years or less of professional experience in maternal and/or newborn health
• Have a minimum of a professional degree (e.g., associate’s degree)

The application process:
Applications for the Fellowship Program are open from 1 December 2022 to 4 January 2023. The application has three components:

1. Responses to questions: Applicants should respond to the following questions during the application process. Responses can be submitted either in written format (an essay of no more than 1,200 words) or in video format (an MP4 file, maximum 3 min. in length).
   • Tell us why you are interested in joining the Fellowship Program, explaining both how this program will enhance your professional development AND what experience or perspective you will bring to the program. Please also speak to what you will bring to the co-creation workshop to design the future iterations of the Fellowship Program.
   • What does this year’s conference theme—Together 2023—mean to you? Applicants are encouraged to consider ways in which their work in MNH will support this theme.
2. Submit an updated CV/Resume (PDF format)
3. Submit a letter of reference (PDF format): This may be written by a peer, colleague, educator, or supervisor, with contact information included.

Kindly note that while IMNHC 2023 Fellowship Program activities will be conducted in English, application materials can be submitted in English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish. IMNHC will include translations for select sessions in English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Selection criteria:

The IMNHC organizers will use the following questions to guide the evaluation of Fellowship Program applications:

• How well does the applicant demonstrate how the Fellowship Program will enhance their professional development goals and objectives?
• Does the applicant’s experience and/or education add a valuable perspective to the Fellowship Program?
• Does the applicant demonstrate a deep understanding of the conference theme, Together 2023, and how it contributes to their work in maternal newborn health?
• Does the applicant demonstrate strong potential for leadership in maternal newborn health, based on their experience and education?
• Does the letter of reference provide evidence of strong interpersonal skills and leadership qualities?

In reviewing the applications for the Fellowship Program, the IMNHC organizers will also seek to ensure that the group as a whole is diverse and representative, with particular respect to geography, gender, and diversity of experience. As such, secondary criteria that prioritize a balanced Fellowship cohort overall will also be utilized.