Healthy Food Policy Fellowship

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Am I eligible for this fellowship?

  The Healthy Food Policy Fellowship program is open to candidates who meet the following selection criteria:

   

  • Reside in one of the focus countries: Ghana, Kenya, Vietnam, Uganda, Indonesia. (“Reside” includes people who are non-citizens of a country and who have long-term residency in that country.)
  • Demonstrate a commitment to improving public policy for a healthier food environment in their country of residence.
  • In the process of applying, or already accepted, to a Ph.D. for the upcoming semester in a field that will allow them to contribute to healthier food environments through public policy—health economics, nutrition, marketing, food access, health behavior or other relevant disciplines—from a university that meets the desired combination of theoretical coursework and practical, field-based research.
  • Have a background in healthy food policy or experience in one of the aforementioned academic areas of interest.
  • Have no conflict of interest, including no affiliation with sugary drinks, ultra-processed foods, alcohol, or tobacco industry. Read more under “Disclaimers” below.
• What level of financial support is available through this fellowship?

  The fellowship will cover tuition, living expenses (only rent, local public transport and utilities), health insurance (in most cases it should be the plan recommended by school, and is limited only to the fellow, and not dependents), travel and one-time costs such as a laptop, software and books.

• Will fellowship recipients be expected to conduct research?

  Vital Strategies is seeking applicants who are passionate about sharpening their ability to design research studies, lead research projects, and analyze and present results. Applicants who can demonstrate that they will be pursuing studies that include a combination of classroom theory and field-based research will be favorably considered.

• Once I complete my studies, how could I use my research skills? 

  National, subnational and local public health systems, government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, universities, and other entities are in need of highly qualified people to help them develop policies and programs related to building systems that improve people’s diets and create healthier food environments.

• Can I apply if I am not from one of the focus countries?

  At this time, only applicants from or residing in Ghana, Kenya, Vietnam, Uganda or Indonesia will be considered.

• Whom can I contact if I have questions about my application?

  Send an email to:  fellowships@vitalstrategies.org. 

• Disclaimers

  Sugary Drinks and Ultra-Processed Foods Affiliation

  Fellowship applicants confirm that they do not have an affiliation with the sugary drinks or ultra-processed food industry, its agents or associates, and have not had such an affiliation in the two years prior to their application; and that they currently do not accept and shall not accept financial or other support from any sugary drinks or ultra-processed food product manufacturer or the parent, subsidiary, or affiliate of a sugary drinks or ultra-processed food product manufacturer until at least five years after the completion of education. Failure to comply with this clause will constitute grounds for terminating the fellowship and require the return of any funds awarded under the fellowship.

   

  Tobacco Affiliation

  Fellowship applicants confirm that they have not had any business relationship with or knowingly received payment or other support from any tobacco product manufacturer or wholesaler, or from any e-cigarette or vaping manufacturer or wholesaler (“These Industries”), or any parent, affiliate, subsidiary, organization, or foundation with majority support from These Industries, or any person, interest group, advocacy organization, or other business or organization (other than a law firm, advertising agency, or accounting firm) that represents the interests of the Tobacco Industry (collectively, “These Affiliates”) in the past two years prior to their application. Fellowship applicants and nominators currently do not accept and shall not accept financial or other support from These Industries or These Affiliates until at least five years after the completion of education. Failure to comply with this clause will constitute grounds for terminating the fellowship and require the return of any funds awarded under the fellowship.

   

  Alcohol Affiliation

  Fellowship applicant confirms that they do not have an affiliation with the alcohol industry, its agents or associates, and have not had such an affiliation in the two years preceding this application. Applicant also confirms that they do not currently accept and will not accept financial or other support from any alcohol manufacturer, or the parent, subsidiary or affiliate of such a manufacturer, until at least five years after completion of their education. Failure to comply may constitute grounds for terminating the Fellowship and requiring the return of funds awarded under the Fellowship.

   

  Non-Discrimination

  Vital Strategies does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, religion/creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, sex/gender, gender identity, nonconformity, presentation or expression (including cisgender, transgender, non-binary or intersex status), sexual or reproductive health decisions, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions), domestic partnership status, caregiver status, alienage or citizen status, disability, genetic information, familial status, marital status, or domestic violence victim status, arrest or conviction record, credit history, salary history, unemployment status, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local laws. This nondiscrimination policy encompasses the operation of all its programs and activities, including this fellowship.

   

  Conflict of Interest

  In the event that a potential conflict of interest arises during the fellowship process, Vital Strategies commits to deal with each conflict of interest in as open and appropriate a way as possible.