How does the fellowship differ from a traditional master’s (or other advanced degree) program?

First, the training you receive in the EBA Fellowship is highly experiential – you’ll learn primarily by working on your project and interacting with expert mentors rather than sitting in a classroom. Second, the fellowship provides you with an end-to-end view of the early stages of the innovation process. From clinical immersion and needs-finding through invention and implementation planning, you’ll gain hands-on practice navigating critical risks and opportunities across a broad range of activities. Third, the fellowship is interdisciplinary and team-based. You’ll learn a tremendous amount from interacting with your peers and honing your teamwork skills. Finally, the skills and connections you build are practical, targeted, and immediately applicable to a career in health technology innovation. At the end of the program, the fellows earn a certificate in Biodesign rather than a traditional diploma or degree.

How many Biodesign Fellowships are available?

For its inaugural cohort EAB will recruit four multidisciplinary fellows that include individuals with clinical, engineering, computer science, design, and/or business backgrounds.

When is the application deadline?

Applications for the 2024 EAB fellowship are now open! The deadline to apply is Friday, August 18, 2023, 23:59 CAT. Any application materials not received by the deadline will be considered incomplete and will not be considered.

Can I apply if I am not from an East African Country member state?

The program is open to applicants from all countries. However, priority will be given to East African Countries Member States applicants in the inaugural cohort.

Am I responsible for acquiring the visa to join the program if I am not in Rwanda?

All selected applicants will be responsible for applying for and securing the necessary visa that will allow them to attend the in-person program in Rwanda.

How many letters of recommendation must I have, when are they due, and what should they cover?

Three letters of recommendation are required, and they must be submitted by August 25th, 2023, 23:59 CAT, or your application will not be considered.

Important: The requests for letters are automatically generated and sent by our application system when you enter the contact information for your references. In order to give your references adequate time to respond, do not wait until the last day to enter this information into the application. We also encourage you to proactively confirm with your references that they have received the request from our system.

Once written, your references must submit their recommendations through the online system. We will not accept letters delivered via email or the postal service. It is your responsibility to follow up with those whom you have asked to provide the recommendations and ensure that the letters are received by the application deadline.

What is the application fee?

East African Biodesign does not charge an application fee.

When are the interviews?

Shortlisted applicants for the 2024 fellowship will be invited via email in early September 2023 for interviews. The interviews will be conducted virtually in the week of September 11, tentatively between 4PM and 7PM Central African time. However, we will work with those in other time zones to ensure as reasonable a schedule as possible.

When will the finalists be notified about acceptance decisions?

We will notify all finalists of our acceptance decisions by the end of October 2023.

When does the fellowship start?

The Biodesign Innovation Fellowship begins on 8th January 2024.

Is the fellowship a full-time commitment?

The EAB Fellowship is a 10-month intense full-time experience, with 40 hours per week.

Do the Fellows receive compensation?

The Fellowship provides a modest stipend during the 10-month program.

Am I expected to start a company out of the EAB Fellowship?

Some fellows may start companies out of the fellowship, this is, however, just one of many different health technology career paths that our fellows take. Other alternatives include catalyzing innovation inside major health technology corporations, teaching and/or leading translational research projects for world-class universities, driving innovation initiatives within academic or private medical centers, or becoming specialists in design, investing, or other aspects of the health technology innovation ecosystem.

How can I learn more about the EAB Fellowship?

Detailed information about the EAB fellowship can be found at the University of Global Health’s website under the Innovation Center here.