The Equity Initiative Fellowship is a fully funded, immersive leadership program designed to cultivate health equity leaders across Southeast Asia and China. This fellowship supports outstanding professionals committed to addressing social, economic, political, and structural drivers of health inequity in their communities and region.
The Equity Initiative is a program of the CMB Foundation, part of the global Atlantic Fellows network. It offers a six-week in-person learning journey combined with online engagement, guided by the “Know, Do, Be” framework to build knowledge, skills, and lasting commitment to health equity.
Equity Initiative Fellowship Benefits
- Fully funded, in-person learning experiences guided by world-class faculty
- Fully funded participation
- Opportunity to design and implement a group equity-focused project with seed funding
- Access to a regional network of transformative leaders committed to social justice in health
- Membership in the global Atlantic Fellows community after induction year
- Mentorship and peer learning across sectors and disciplines
Equity Initiative Fellowship Eligibility Criteria
- Have a track record of demonstrated leadership and commitment to equity and social justice
- Have at least 6 years of professional working experience related to health, social development, governance, environmental justice, or other relevant fields
- Be a resident citizen of one of the Southeast Asian countries or China
- Be proficient in spoken and written English
How to Apply for Equity Initiative Fellowship?
- Prepare two letters of recommendation commenting on professional abilities, current work, and leadership qualities
- Submit your application online via the Equity Initiative portal before the deadline
- Upload a video (accepted formats: avi, mov, wmv, mp4, 3gp, mpg, mpeg; max 100MB)
- Ensure all sections are complete before final submission; updates are not possible after submission
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the Equity Initiative Fellowship. These answers cover eligibility, benefits, deadlines, and how to apply.
What benefits do Fellows receive?
During the one-year fellowship term, Fellows engage in fully funded, in-person learning experiences guided by world-class faculty. They deepen their knowledge of health equity, strengthen leadership competencies, and have the opportunity to design a group equity-focused project with seed funding.
What are the Fellow’s obligations?
Fellows are required to attend all Fellowship learning events and participate in online learning. The program is designed for working professionals to accompany full-time work, but full participation in all activities is mandatory.
Can I apply if I am not a health expert?
Yes, the Equity Initiative seeks cross-sector leadership. What makes the program unique is its commitment to building a network across professional fields and interests, so applicants from any sector are welcome.
What commitments do Fellows have after the Induction Year?
Upon graduation, Fellows start their second year project and begin joining the global network of Atlantic Fellows. The fellowship fosters lifelong connections and continued engagement in health equity work.
Can I reapply if I was not selected?
Yes, applicants are encouraged to reapply when the next call for applications opens. The program values persistence and continued interest in health equity leadership.
Can I defer my acceptance to next year?
No, deferrals are not accepted. Please apply for the year you wish to participate. The program expects selected Fellows to join the cohort for which they applied.
Am I eligible if I am not a national of Southeast Asia or China?
Only citizens or resident nationals of one of the Southeast Asian countries or China are eligible. A resident national is someone allowed to reside indefinitely in a country of which they are not a citizen.
Can I apply if I live outside my home country?
Yes, applicants currently living outside their home country who hold citizenship or resident nationality from Southeast Asian countries or China are still eligible to apply.
Who should write my reference letters?
The program requires two letters of recommendation. References should comment on your professional abilities, current work, interests in social justice or health development, and leadership qualities within your field or community.
When is the reference deadline?
The references’ deadline is the same as the application deadline. However, the program understands it may take a few extra days for all references to respond. Late applications are not accepted.
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