Program Information

These are two-year fellowships funded by the HRSA’s Maternal and Child Health Bureau federal grant, Strengthening the MCH Public Health Academic Pipeline, with particular foci on research pertaining to maternal/infant health, child/adolescent health, women’s health, sexual/reproductive health, family/community violence, and unintentional injury.

Fellows will be mentored by matched research faculty and develop plans for professional growth. In addition, the postdoctoral fellows will have the opportunity to collaborate with MCH faculty and postdoctoral fellows in other MCHB-funded programs, as well as with Title V and other MCH organizations and partners locally, regionally, and nationwide. Postdoctoral MCH research fellows will also participate/lead classes and seminars. Support for professional conferences and other dissemination activities will be provided. Fellows will teach one or two graduate classes per year and be expected to further their research by developing grant proposals with faculty and publishing them in the peer-reviewed literature, in addition to collaborating with ongoing MCH faculty research.

For all other questions specific to this program, you can contact Dr. Ellen Daley.

Purpose

The University of South Florida’s Center of Excellence in Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Education, Science and Practice, is one of 13 programs nationwide funded by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB). USFs CoE’s purpose is to (1) provide didactic and experiential public health training and support in MCH for graduate and post-graduate trainees; and (2) advance MCH workforce capacity in science, research, practice, and policy, including provision of technical assistance. Our mission is to produce an MCH workforce who will be change-ready leaders equipped with the necessary tools to address contemporary and emerging MCH issues; promote healthier children, families, and communities; and address differences in MCH outcomes across populations.

While many of USF’s Center of Excellence in MCH activities across the education, science and practice pillars are available to and in collaboration with all students, faculty and health professionals/community members, a small cohort of master- and doctoral-level students are selected as MCH Scholars into a specialized program. These scholars complete an enhanced curriculum, including leadership seminars, training opportunities, and mentorship in MCH research, program implementation, and/or evaluation. Furthermore, through didactic, experiential and mentorship opportunities, MCH Scholars pursue other leadership, professional development, and skill building activities that are tailored towards their professional goals and interests.

Award

Students who are selected as MCH Scholars will receive a stipend (approximately $21,000) to be divided over the 2-semester program, travel support to attend conferences and meetings, and individualized academic mentoring in leadership and translational MCH work. Although tuition is not covered, nor are fees that students are responsible for, students may use the stipend award for their tuition and/or other cost of living expenses.

Please note, the final stipend amounts may vary based on each student’s financial aid limits and existing account balances with the University. The scholarship funds are dispersed through USF Financial Aid. The scholarship from this MCH Scholars Program may impact your current financial aid award package. Please contact financial aid directly to learn how, if at all, you will be impacted.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants for the MCH Scholars Program must meet the following requirements:

• Due to the nature of the funding mechanism, applicants must be U.S. citizens, non-citizen nationals, or permanent residents.

• Hold a baccalaureate degree or equivalent.

• Be in good academic standing and maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

• Be enrolled in coursework or thesis/dissertation credits each semester (Fall 2026, Spring 2027) as part of their USF College of Public Health (COPH) master-level or doctoral-level degree program.

• Demonstrate a clear commitment to and focus in MCH.

Students from across all graduate degree programs and concentrations within the USF College of Public Health (MPH; MSPH; MHA; PhD; DrPH) with an MCH focus are eligible to apply. Because selection for this competitive scholar program is highly based on MCH leadership experience and potential, students in their second year (or greater) more closely fit the criteria. However, newly admitted students with significant prior MCH experience and future leadership potential can apply. Students are strongly recommended to plan to take courses in the MCH concentration if they have not yet taken any.

Program Requirements

Selected scholars will complete an enhanced curriculum. The MCH Scholars Program requires significant commitment of time and effort, approximately 20 hours per week. Students should carefully plan their time commitments to ensure time is dedicated to the required activities of the MCH Scholars Program.

In rare circumstances, a Scholar may participate in other federally funded activities concurrently so long as they abide by the guidance of each concurrent federal program (e.g., the cumulative total of federally funded stipends received does not exceed the allowable threshold noted in the stipend and salary levels section). Please consult with your directors/supervisor in advance regarding concurrent federal support stipulations.

To maintain the award, scholars will be required to:

• Pursue a graduate degree in the COPH 

• Be enrolled in coursework or thesis/dissertation credits each semester (Fall 2026 and Spring 2027).  

• Be in good academic standing and maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher. 

• Create and maintain an Individualized Leadership Development Plan (LDP). 

• Complete the MCH Navigator Self-Assessment at the start and end of the program. 

• Attend, participate, and evaluate every activity of the MCH Scholars Program. 

• Participate in workshops/training, example topics include: Translational Research into Policy and Practice; Health Literacy in MCH; Negotiation and Conflict Resolution; Systems Thinking; Lived Experience in MCH; and Emerging MCH Public Health Issues (e.g., MCH epidemiology; implementation science). 

• Participate in a leadership orientation (bootcamp) at the beginning of the program. 

• Participate in monthly leadership seminars with local, state, and national MCH leaders. 

• Participate in the annual College of Public Health’s Activist Lab Bootcamp. 

• Participate in at least one of several interprofessional education and trainings.  

• Complete reflective discussion posts on Canvas. 

• Work with their matched academic-community research mentor. Scholars will be involved in their mentor’s applied research activities, including analytical skills, relationships with community partners, management of projects, and translation of research to practice. Scholars are expected to meet with their mentor (and research team members, as applicable) on an on-going basis. 

• Participate in USF Health Research Day and the annual Chiles Center Symposium. 

• Participate in Maternal and Child Health Student Organization (MCHSO) activities. 

• Participate in other leadership and professional development activities (e.g., Dean’s Lecture Series; other webinars and skill building activities). 

Application Requirements 

Application materials should be submitted via the Qualtrics link no later than Friday, May 29, 2026, at 5:00 pm. Students can contact the Center of Excellence in MCH at mchcenter@usf.edu with questions regarding the application process or requirements.

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Students should submit the following documents through Qualtrics:

1. Curriculum vita or resume. 

2. One copy of the student’s transcript (official or unofficial). NOTE: Newly admitted students must submit undergraduate/or graduate program transcript. 

3. One letter of recommendation from the student’s faculty mentor or previous academic/work supervisor. NOTE: When requesting a letter of recommendation, please provide the individual writing the letter with the Center of Excellence in MCH email address at mchcenter@usf.edu. There is no need to upload the letter, as it should be sent directly to the email address. Thank you for your cooperation. 

4. A two-page personal statement (single-spaced) - the statement should focus on the student’s leadership qualities, experience, and interest in MCH, and specifically include: 

   • Previous MCH experience 

   • Why the student is applying for the scholarship and how the student would benefit from the MCH Scholar Program 

   • How the student’s research/practice interests are focused on an MCH topic/population 

   • How the student has demonstrated leadership or potential for leadership 

   • Future career goals in MCH and public health/MCH leadership 

   • Passion and commitment to improving MCH health outcomes