The Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network (EMPHNET), in collaboration with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), invites you to apply for an innovative capacity-building workshop designed to produce locally relevant, high-quality teaching case studies that will strengthen Field Epidemiology Training Programs (FETPs) across the EECA region.

This program combines comprehensive online training, practical assignments, and an in-person finalization workshop, guiding participants step by step to design, draft, and finalize case studies that reflect real public health priorities and experiences in your country.

Participants will:

• Learn the principles and methods of effective case study development.
• Collaborate in multidisciplinary teams representing both human and animal health sectors.
• Produce case studies that will be published and integrated into training curricula for future cohorts of field epidemiologists.

Language:
English will be the primary language of instruction. Live interpretation into Russian will be available if needed.

Timeline:

• Five synchronous online sessions will be held every other week, starting in the week of September 1 (Exact dates to be announced).
• Participants who complete the initial draft of the case study, will be invited to a 3-day in-person finalization workshop (tentatively in Tbilisi, Georgia, November 2025).

This is a unique opportunity to:
✅ Build your skills as an educator and case study developer.
✅ Contribute directly to regional capacity-building.
✅ Collaborate with leading experts and colleagues across EECA countries and the CDC Atlanta.

Who Can Apply?

• Current FETP resident advisors, mentors, residents, and graduates affiliated with Ministries of Health or Ministries of Agriculture in EECA countries.
• Professionals who have conducted field investigations and produced reports (e.g., outbreak investigations, surveillance analyses, surveillance evaluations) suitable for conversion into a teaching case study.
• Individuals who can access or produce relevant supporting data and are committed to completing and publishing their case study.

What makes a strong case study?

Submissions will be assessed against the following criteria:

1. Relevance of the Proposed Case Study Topic
   • Is the investigation/public health event significant (e.g., an outbreak, emergency, surveillance activity)?
   • Does the topic illustrate key epidemiologic principles or methods?
   • Is it relevant to priority diseases, programs, or country/regional public health challenges?
2. Educational Value
   • Does the topic offer clear teaching opportunities for epidemiologic concepts, analytic methods, or decision-making?
   • Could it be used as a teaching tool for future cohorts of trainees?
   • Are there unique or novel aspects to the investigation that would enrich a training curriculum?
3. Completeness of the Investigation
   • Is sufficient data available to support a full case study narrative and exercises (e.g., datasets, timelines, communications)?
   • Were key steps of the investigation performed (e.g., hypothesis generation, data collection, analysis, interventions)?
4. Applicant’s Role in the Investigation
   • Was the applicant directly involved in planning, data collection, analysis, or response activities?
   • Can the applicant speak with authority about the decisions made during the investigation?
5. Writing and Communication Skills
   • Is the application clearly written and logically organized?
   • Does the applicant demonstrate the ability to articulate complex concepts in understandable language?
   • Are there writing samples or evidence of prior publications/presentations?
6. Commitment to Completing the Case Study
   • Does the applicant express strong motivation to complete the writing process?
   • Do they have time and institutional support to participate fully in the workshop and post-workshop revisions?
7. Potential for Impact
   • Could this case study influence future public health practice?
   • Might it help train other field epidemiologists in critical competencies?
8. Quality of Supporting Materials
   • Are there preliminary materials provided (e.g., outlines, data tables, reports)?
   • Is there evidence the applicant has begun organizing the information needed for case development?

Participants who successfully complete the program and submit the final product will be eligible for a stipend of up to 500 USD.

Ready to contribute to the next generation of field epidemiologists?

Please complete the online application by 10 August 2025.

Start Application by clicking the link below

https://ee-eu.kobotoolbox.org/single/EFtq6eaa

If you have any questions, feel free to contact: Ms. Dana Shalabi: dshalabi@emphnet.net

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