Apply for the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Fellowship 2027 - an early-career, cohort-based postdoctoral training programme at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), University of Washington, Seattle.
Fellows build careers in health metrics by contributing directly to GBD - the world’s most comprehensive effort to measure health loss and its causes. The September 2027 cohort is the programme’s second; applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Deadline: 21 December 2026, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Fellowship begins September 2027 (full-time, in person in Seattle). This Opportunity Station guide is original copy based on official IHME / UW materials. It is not a reprint of any third-party blog.
Quick Facts - GBD Fellowship 2027
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Programme | GBD Fellowship (IHME, University of Washington) |
| Host Landmark | Seattle Space Needle / downtown skyline, Washington, USA 🇺🇸 |
| Start | September 2027 - full-time, in person (not remote/hybrid) |
| Duration | 2 years (possible 3rd-year extension); annual renewal based on performance & funding |
| Year-1 salary | $105,000 USD ($8,750/month); Year 2 $108,156; Year 3 $112,488 |
| Benefits | Medical/dental/vision, leave, retirement, UW postdoc package (UAW 4121) |
| Visa | International applicants welcome; UW sponsors visas |
| Deadline | 21 December 2026, 11:59 p.m. ET (rolling review) |
| Official Gateway | Interfolio application · IHME GBD Fellowship |
What Fellows Do
- Intensive Boot Camp (≈4 - 6 weeks) plus ongoing GBD methods training
- Rotate across IHME research teams producing GBD estimates
- Extract/standardize data; build and refine models in R or Python; meet production deadlines
- Draft and co-author peer-reviewed papers; present at seminars and conferences
- In later years: mentor junior staff and lead internal training
Benefits
- Competitive postdoctoral salary ($105,000 in year one; increases in years two - three)
- Generous UW benefits: medical, dental, vision, holidays, vacation/sick leave, retirement, transit/fitness perks, tuition exemption options
- Faculty/senior researcher mentorship, Journal Club, seminars, short courses, writing workshops, media training
- Direct contribution to global GBD science and publications
- Visa sponsorship for eligible international fellows
Eligibility
- PhD, MD, DPhil, or foreign equivalent (current doctoral students may apply if degree is completed before September 2027 start)
- Strong quantitative foundation (e.g. epidemiology, demography, biostatistics, health policy, economics, maths, CS, statistics, related fields)
- Research experience in data analysis/statistics; strong R or Python skills
- ≤5 years past most recent degree as of start date
- ≤3 years prior postdoctoral experience by start (UW caps total postdoc time at 5 years including other institutions)
- Working familiarity with GBD concepts (DALYs, YLLs, YLDs, attributable burden, age-standardized rates, uncertainty intervals) - see the GBD Learning Center
- Full-time Seattle residency; cannot hold another programme/position concurrently
How to Apply
- Review the official GBD Fellowship page.
- Apply via Interfolio with:
- CV
- Four short essays: research (≤300 words), contribution to GBD (≤200), production work (≤200), why this fellowship now (≤250)
- Three professional/academic references (names & contacts only; letters later if shortlisted)
- Submit by 21 December 2026, 11:59 p.m. ET (earlier is better - rolling review).
- Expect winter 2027 interviews; final in-person rounds early spring; decisions spring 2027.
Questions: gbdfellowship@uw.edu.
Official Links
GBD Fellowship - Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation
Related Opportunities on Opportunity Station
- CDC Steven M. Teutsch PE Fellowship 2027
- WHO Summer School 2027
- SMART Scholarship-for-Service Program 2027/2028
- Browse all Fellowships
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the application deadline?
21 December 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Is the fellowship paid?
Yes - year-one salary is $105,000 USD, with higher rates in years two and three, plus UW postdoc benefits.
Where is it based?
Full-time, in person at IHME in Seattle, Washington. Not remote or hybrid.
Can international researchers apply?
Yes. UW sponsors visas; fellows must be onsite by the first day.
Where do I apply?
Through Interfolio: apply.interfolio.com/195527.
