EPIET - European Programme for Intervention Epidemiology Training

EPIET Fellowship

When can I apply to the fellowship?: Every year, between the December and January/February. The announcement is placed on the EPIET Website - in the "Apply"-section, in the Lancet, the Lancet Infectious Disease issue in December and on the various websites from our partners.
If I am a citizen from "outside" the European Union, can I apply anyway to the programme?: The Programme is restricted to applicants able to prove having the nationality of one EU member state, Norway or Switzerland.
What are the professional prerequisite to apply to the EPIET programme?: Please see part on "Requirements and desirable qualities of candidates for the fellowhip" in the "Apply to EPIET"- section.
How long does the selection process take?: About 5 months, the final selection is made in May/June during a face-to-face interview session. This should allow you to notify your current employer three months before the beginning of the EPIET programme. Please see the "Selection"-section for more details.
When does the EPIET fellowship start?: The EPIET programme starts with a three-week Introductory course usually held in late September early October. Afterwards, EPIET fellows will reach their hosting country according to their contract and previously undertaken agreement with the hosting institute/supervisor.
As EPIET fellows, are we entitled to paid leave/sick leave/insurance?: Generally, EPIET fellows have a number of days of annual leave, but these issues are regulated in detail by respective ECDC and/or host institutions regulations.
If I am selected, will I receive a salary during the two-year training?: All EPIET fellows receive a salary during the 2 year training. Three sources of funding are available: funding from the sending country, funding from the hosting country, or ECDC funding. Salaries vary according to salary payrolls used in each hosting institute. The number of salaries available, therefore the number of EPIET fellows accepted in the programme, varies each year according to financial resources provided by ECDC and member states.
What is the EPIET working language?: EPIET courses and modules are held in English. Therefore a working knowledge of English is a prerequisite. In addition fellows have to learn the language of their country of assignment. Time and funding are devoted to that purpose during the first three month of the training.
Do I have to spend the 2 years in the same hosting institute?: Yes. Two years is the necessary time to learn the language, know the environment and develop research, surveillance and investigation activities as requested.
What is the best way to enquire about, and to select, a training site for my two-year training?: If you are short-listed for the second round of the selection in the EPIET programme, you will receive a list of all potential training sites. This will include names and contact details of supervisors and other trainers on site.
How is supervision of EPIET fellows carried out?: EPIET fellows are supervised by host institute supervisors and trainers who on a daily basis guide EPIET fellows in their various activities (Surveillance, investigation, research). In addition EPIET coordinators provide distant supervision and review all documents (protocol, reports, manuscripts, presentations) developed by EPIET fellows.
Can I attend university courses (MpH, PhD) during my EPIET two-year training?: No. The EPIET training is a full time job. It would be inefficient and detrimental to both, to try to attend an MpH course and to carry out EPIET activities at the same time.
How frequently do EPIET fellows and coordinators meet during the two-year programme?: During the two-year programme fellows have to attend an Introductory course (3 weeks), at least four one-week training modules, two one-week sessions to prepare the EPIET annual scientific seminar, and two scientific seminars. Overall, EPIET fellows and coordinators meet once per trimester on a rotative basis in one of the EU member states.
Do I have to pay myself to participate in the modules arranged during the training programme?: No, as part of the training programme, your participation in the different modules will be funded and organised by the EPIET Programme Office.
As EPIET fellow, will I have the opportunity to participate in international missions in developing countries?: The EPIET programme is a European training programme, therefore the training is supposed to be carried out within the European Union. However, fellows may be involved, if desired, in international missions with other organization (i.e. WHO, MSF, Epicentre, etc), but this is NOT one of the objectives of the programme, and fellows have to achieve their training objectives mainly in the hosting countries.
Is there a diploma issued by the EPIET programme at the end of the two-year training?: The EPIET programme delivers a certificate co-signed by the EC/ECDC, the EPIET coordinators and host institute supervisors in EU. This is not an academic diploma. EPIET fellows can also use their two-year training to validate part of other academic diplomas or national accreditations. This varies according to universities and countries. EPIET fellows are encouraged to contact universities and national accrediting bodies early during their two-year training.
Is EPIET providing a job after the two-year training?: No. The EPIET programme does not ensure job security for fellows at the end of their training. However, all fellows trained so far in the EPIET programme have found positions as epidemiologists at regional, national or international level.
Are moving expenses to the hosting country reimbursed by the EPIET office, or I will move at my own expenses?: Moving expences, both moving to and from the hosting country, are reimbursed within a certain budget.
Will I receive help and assistance in looking for an accommodation in the hosting country?: Once you know where you are going to spend your two-year training, you may want to contact the staff at the hosting institute and they will support you in looking for an accommodation (i.e. indicating a website for "places to rent", give you any other possible suggestion and help)

EPIET Introductory course

I am interested in participating in the Introductory Course, how do I apply?: You can apply from April/May every year. The details on how to apply are placed on the EPIET website in the Introductory course-section. The selection of the participants takes place at the beginning of June, and the final answer will be given to all the candidates by the second half of June.
If I am not a European citizen, can I apply to the EPIET Introductory Course?: Yes, you are very welcome to do so. Each EPIET course hosts 15 EPIET fellows and 20 external participants. For external participants, the selection committee will first select citizens from the European Union and then participants from outside the EU.
If my country/institute cannot fund my participation in the Introductory Course, how can I get external funding?: You must look for your own funding. The EPIET Programme can unfortunately not offer scholarships for the EPIET Introductory course. You can contact the various WHO offices in your region, various foundations, etc. The list of institutes/organisations willing to fund participants varies every year. Such a list is not available from the EPIET programme office.
How much is the participation cost to the Introductory course?: The fee vary from year to year, depending where the course takes place. Please see the Introductory course-section for the latest details regarding the participation fees or contact the EPIET Programme Office
When do I pay the fee?: The fee is payable on acceptance as participant to the course. Do NOT send any money before that. The details for payment will be given to you when your selection has been confirmed.
How can I get reimbursed if I cancel my participation to the EPIET Introductory course?: Reimbursement can be made for cancellations made at least two weeks before the course starts. No reimbursement can be made to cancellations with less notice than this.





	EPIET - FAQ Here you can find answers to the most Frequently Asked Questions about the EPIET Fellowship Programme (two-years) and the EPIET Introductory course (three-weeks). If you can not find the answer to your question below or if you have suggestions for other questions, please do not hesitate to contact the EPIET Programme Office. EPIET Fellowship When can I apply to the fellowship? Every year, between the December and January/February. The announcement is placed on the EPIET Website - in the "Apply"-section, in the Lancet, the Lancet Infectious Disease issue in December and on the various websites from our partners. If I am a citizen from "outside" the European Union, can I apply anyway to the programme? The Programme is restricted to applicants able to prove having the nationality of one EU member state, Norway or Switzerland. What are the professional prerequisite to apply to the EPIET programme? Please see part on "Requirements and desirable qualities of candidates for the fellowhip" in the "Apply to EPIET"- section. How long does the selection process take? About 5 months, the final selection is made in May/June during a face-to-face interview session. This should allow you to notify your current employer three months before the beginning of the EPIET programme. Please see the "Selection"-section for more details. When does the EPIET fellowship start? The EPIET programme starts with a three-week Introductory course usually held in late September early October. Afterwards, EPIET fellows will reach their hosting country according to their contract and previously undertaken agreement with the hosting institute/supervisor. As EPIET fellows, are we entitled to paid leave/sick leave/insurance? Generally, EPIET fellows have a number of days of annual leave, but these issues are regulated in detail by respective ECDC and/or host institutions regulations. If I am selected, will I receive a salary during the two-year training? All EPIET fellows receive a salary during the 2 year training. Three sources of funding are available: funding from the sending country, funding from the hosting country, or ECDC funding. Salaries vary according to salary payrolls used in each hosting institute. The number of salaries available, therefore the number of EPIET fellows accepted in the programme, varies each year according to financial resources provided by ECDC and member states. What is the EPIET working language? EPIET courses and modules are held in English. Therefore a working knowledge of English is a prerequisite. In addition fellows have to learn the language of their country of assignment. Time and funding are devoted to that purpose during the first three month of the training. Do I have to spend the 2 years in the same hosting institute? Yes. Two years is the necessary time to learn the language, know the environment and develop research, surveillance and investigation activities as requested. What is the best way to enquire about, and to select, a training site for my two-year training? If you are short-listed for the second round of the selection in the EPIET programme, you will receive a list of all potential training sites. This will include names and contact details of supervisors and other trainers on site. How is supervision of EPIET fellows carried out? EPIET fellows are supervised by host institute supervisors and trainers who on a daily basis guide EPIET fellows in their various activities (Surveillance, investigation, research). In addition EPIET coordinators provide distant supervision and review all documents (protocol, reports, manuscripts, presentations) developed by EPIET fellows. Can I attend university courses (MpH, PhD) during my EPIET two-year training? No. The EPIET training is a full time job. It would be inefficient and detrimental to both, to try to attend an MpH course and to carry out EPIET activities at the same time. How frequently do EPIET fellows and coordinators meet during the two-year programme? During the two-year programme fellows have to attend an Introductory course (3 weeks), at least four one-week training modules, two one-week sessions to prepare the EPIET annual scientific seminar, and two scientific seminars. Overall, EPIET fellows and coordinators meet once per trimester on a rotative basis in one of the EU member states. Do I have to pay myself to participate in the modules arranged during the training programme? No, as part of the training programme, your participation in the different modules will be funded and organised by the EPIET Programme Office. As EPIET fellow, will I have the opportunity to participate in international missions in developing countries? The EPIET programme is a European training programme, therefore the training is supposed to be carried out within the European Union. However, fellows may be involved, if desired, in international missions with other organization (i.e. WHO, MSF, Epicentre, etc), but this is NOT one of the objectives of the programme, and fellows have to achieve their training objectives mainly in the hosting countries. Is there a diploma issued by the EPIET programme at the end of the two-year training? The EPIET programme delivers a certificate co-signed by the EC/ECDC, the EPIET coordinators and host institute supervisors in EU. This is not an academic diploma. EPIET fellows can also use their two-year training to validate part of other academic diplomas or national accreditations. This varies according to universities and countries. EPIET fellows are encouraged to contact universities and national accrediting bodies early during their two-year training. Is EPIET providing a job after the two-year training? No. The EPIET programme does not ensure job security for fellows at the end of their training. However, all fellows trained so far in the EPIET programme have found positions as epidemiologists at regional, national or international level. Are moving expenses to the hosting country reimbursed by the EPIET office, or I will move at my own expenses? Moving expences, both moving to and from the hosting country, are reimbursed within a certain budget. Will I receive help and assistance in looking for an accommodation in the hosting country? Once you know where you are going to spend your two-year training, you may want to contact the staff at the hosting institute and they will support you in looking for an accommodation (i.e. indicating a website for "places to rent", give you any other possible suggestion and help) EPIET Introductory course I am interested in participating in the Introductory Course, how do I apply? You can apply from April/May every year. The details on how to apply are placed on the EPIET website in the Introductory course-section. The selection of the participants takes place at the beginning of June, and the final answer will be given to all the candidates by the second half of June. If I am not a European citizen, can I apply to the EPIET Introductory Course? Yes, you are very welcome to do so. Each EPIET course hosts 15 EPIET fellows and 20 external participants. For external participants, the selection committee will first select citizens from the European Union and then participants from outside the EU. If my country/institute cannot fund my participation in the Introductory Course, how can I get external funding? You must look for your own funding. The EPIET Programme can unfortunately not offer scholarships for the EPIET Introductory course. You can contact the various WHO offices in your region, various foundations, etc. The list of institutes/organisations willing to fund participants varies every year. Such a list is not available from the EPIET programme office. How much is the participation cost to the Introductory course? The fee vary from year to year, depending where the course takes place. Please see the Introductory course-section for the latest details regarding the participation fees or contact the EPIET Programme Office When do I pay the fee? The fee is payable on acceptance as participant to the course. Do NOT send any money before that. The details for payment will be given to you when your selection has been confirmed. How can I get reimbursed if I cancel my participation to the EPIET Introductory course? Reimbursement can be made for cancellations made at least two weeks before the course starts. No reimbursement can be made to cancellations with less notice than this.
This website -www.epiet.org- is hosted by SMI and updated by ECDC, Sweden.

EPIET - FAQ

EPIET Fellowship

EPIET Introductory course