Application Information

To be eligible for LLS, you must have:

• A doctoral-level degree in a laboratory related discipline (e.g., microbiology, molecular biology, organic chemistry, environmental chemistry, genetics, bioinformatics); other health professionals are welcome to apply, but must also hold a relevant doctoral-level degree, and
• A minimum of 2 years of post-graduate laboratory experience completed before the fellowship begins (e.g., serving as a laboratory scientist in clinical, public health, research, or industry laboratory), in addition to any laboratory work done as a part of graduate training, and
• U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident status

Contact the LLS program if you have any questions regarding eligibility.

Step 1:  Prepare your application materials early

• Review eligibility.
• Update your CV.
• Write your personal statement by answering these questions:
  • Why is the LLS program the next logical step for your public health laboratory career?
  • How will the LLS program complement your previous training and experience?
  • What are your career plans after graduating from the LLS program? How will LLS help you achieve them?
  • How do you plan to pursue your career plans if you are not accepted into LLS?
• Identify four people to write letters of recommendation on your behalf, following the guidelines on the Application Materials tab.
• Obtain copies of transcripts for all earned degrees.

Step 2:  Submit your application by the deadline

• Access the online application.
  • You may enter information in the online application before or at the same time as uploading required application materials. Be sure to save your application if doing these steps separately.
• Enter your personal statement and your CV into appropriate sections of the online application form.
• Enter email addresses for 4 people who will write letters of recommendation.
  • Confirm that recommendation writers receive the system-generated email.
  • Follow-up to ensure they submit their letters by the deadline.
• Enter the required information for each college/university in order to upload unofficial transcripts.
  • If accepted into the LLS program, official transcripts must be mailed to CDC by January 31 of the fellowship year.
• Submit your application after completing the online application and uploading all required materials. You will not be able to make changes after submitting your application except to update your contact information.
  • You will receive an email confirming receipt of your application. You may also print a copy of your application for your records.
• Refer to the Application Status tab to track your application.

The following application materials should be uploaded as attachments to your online application by the application deadline.

Letters of Recommendation

• Four letters of recommendation are required.
• At least 1 letter must be from a supervisor or faculty member of your school.
• Select individuals who are familiar with your academic achievements, aspirations, personal qualities, and professional attributes.
• Recommendations must be specific to your LLS application and dated within 6 months of submission.
• Provide recommendation writers with a copy of the Instructions for Letters of Recommendation[PDF – 2 pages], and tell them to expect a system-generated email from LLSapplication@cdc.gov with instructions for submitting their letter electronically.
• The recommendation writer must:
  • Sign and scan their letter of recommendation; save the letter as a PDF file
  • Click on the link provided in the system-generated email to upload their recommendation letter
  • Receive a system generated email from LLSapplication@cdc.gov indicating that the upload was successful

Transcripts: Required for all earned degrees

• Unofficial transcripts may be uploaded into the application until the applicant is notified of acceptance into the program.
  • You will be prompted in the online application form for your college/university education, which will enable you to browse and attach an unofficial PDF version of your transcript.
• For applicants accepted into the LLS program, you are required to send official transcripts by mail to:

  Laboratory Leadership Service
  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  1600 Clifton Rd., NE
  Mailstop E-92
  Atlanta, GA 30333

  • Official transcripts must be received by January 31 of the fellowship year.
• If your transcript is not issued by a U.S. institution:
  • Other proof of degree completion (e.g., certified copy of a diploma) must be submitted by the applicant.
  • Diplomas or other proof of degree completion must be provided in English.
• Do not send high school transcripts.

Click the button to check the status of your application.

Key Dates for Class of 2018

U.S. Citizens

US citizens accepted into LLS have the option to enter the program as either U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps or Civil Service.

U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps

The USPHS is one of the seven Uniformed Services. It is a specialized career system designed to attract, develop, and retain health professionals to accomplish its mission.

Incoming LLS officers must meet eligibility criteria for the Commissioned Corps:

• Be a U.S. citizen
• Be less than 44 years of age (at date of entry into LLS)
• Have a degree in an appropriate health-related discipline
• Meet medical standards (see partial list of disqualifying medical conditions[PDF – 29 KB])

Civil Service

Upon initial appointment, the Title-42 fellowship entry grade will be set comparable to the Federal Government General Schedule (GS) base pay rate equivalent of GS-12, step 3 regardless of previous experience and compensation. An additional locality pay for LLS fellows is based on the location of the official duty station.

U.S. Permanent Residents

Civil Service

U.S. permanent residents are eligible only for civil service. Upon initial appointment, the Title-42 fellowship entry grade will be set comparable to the Federal Government General Schedule (GS) base pay rate equivalent of GS-12, step 3 regardless of previous experience and compensation. An additional locality pay for LLS fellows is based on the location of the official duty station.