The PIDS Vaccine Advocacy Fellowship Program: Training the Next Generation of Pediatric Vaccine Policy Leaders is a structured, 12-month program designed to equip pediatric infectious diseases fellows with the scientific, regulatory, and communication skills necessary to lead vaccine advocacy and public policy. Our initiative addresses the urgent need for informed physician advocates to combat declining childhood immunization rates and influence vaccine-related policy at local, state, and federal levels.
The award funds may be used at the recipient’s discretion for expenses such as salary support, supplemental coursework or conference fees related to advocacy, publication costs, additional travel expenses beyond what is already covered by PIDS, or other necessary expenses. Indirect costs and health insurance are not permitted.
This program is possible thanks to a generous grant provided by Pfizer.
The application deadline has passed.
Program Objectives
- Endow pediatric ID fellows with deep expertise in vaccinology, public policy, and advocacy.
- Provide fellows with tools to engage effectively with policymakers, media, and the public.
- Strengthen the pipeline of physician-scientists who can lead efforts to restore and improve childhood immunization rates.
Eligibility
- Candidates must be current PIDS members.
- Applicants must be a second- or third-year fellow in a U.S. accredited Pediatric Infectious Diseases fellowship training program.
Support
- Provides $15,000 support for one year (to commence on or around October 1, 2025).
- Fellows will participate in didactic education in vaccine science with monthly seminars in topics such as immunology, vaccine design, regulatory pathways for vaccine approval, policy framework, global vaccine equity, and more.
- Fellows will work with PIDS Education Committee and Comprehensive Vaccine Education Program (CVEP) Subcommittee in revising the PIDS vaccine education modules.
- Fellows will also contribute to educational content for clinician and public audiences.
- Fellows will participate in media training to learn how to communicate effectively with news media, practice interviews and message framing, and develop confidence in speaking publicly across various channels.
- Fellows will have access to professional advocacy training, participate in workshops with policy directors and lobbyists, engage in at least one legislative advocacy day, learn to craft policy briefs, and deliver official testimony.
- Travel, advocacy and media training costs will be covered by PIDS through the program.
Application and Selection
All eligible applications will be reviewed by a panel of experts in pediatric infectious diseases advocacy. Applicants will be evaluated based on relevance of their interests, prior experience and overall fit for the program.
Award decisions are expected to be finalized by September 30. For the inaugural cohort, PIDS anticipates to select between 2-4 fellows.
Required Application Materials
- Completed online application form
- Biosketch in current NIH format (5-page limit)
- Personal statement (1-page limit)
- Statement on advocacy experience (1-page limit)
- Letter of support from applicant’s division director or fellowship program director
Completed materials must be submitted as a single .pdf file through the online portal by 11:59 p.m. PT, Tuesday, September 16.
