De Beers African Health Scholars

The De Beers African Health Scholars Program provides African graduate students with the skills to become public health leaders in their own countries.

Overview
To strengthen Africa’s public health leadership infrastructure, De Beers—the South Africa-based diamond mining and marketing company—and the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health have established the De Beers African Health Scholars Program. Many of the serious health problems that plague Africa are preventable, but common treatments often do not reach those in need of help due to poverty and inadequate health systems. The De Beers African Health Scholars Program seeks to train leaders to advance public health in Africa.
 
Background
The De Beers African Health Scholars Program is part of the company’s overall commitment to the empowerment of Africa, economically, ethically and socially, particularly to the fight against HIV/AIDS. De Beers currently funds 16 AIDS-related projects in Africa, including hospice and community care programs; child and orphan care; income-generating initiatives and research projects; and, significantly, free antiretroviral treatment for employees and their spouses or life partners.  

The Scholarship
The program will support two African graduate students each year in earning their master of public health (MPH) degrees. It will provide full tuition and a stipend for living expenses and transportation. Scholars will participate in a practicum experience on a major health problem in Africa, such as HIV/AIDS, malaria or malnutrition. After completing their studies, they will return to Africa to apply the skills they have learned.

De Beers Advisory Committee Members

• Chris Beyrer, Professor of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
• Thomas J. DeRosa, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Advisory Board
• Christopher I.M. Jones, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Advisory Board
• James Joseph, former U.S. Ambassador to South Africa
• Jennifer Oppenheimer, Chairman, De Beers Fund
• Alfred Sommer, Dean Emeritus, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

How to Apply
Complete the application for admission online.

When to Apply
Applications for the MPH program are due on December 1 for admission the following July. 

Who Qualifies?
All admitted full-time MPH students from Africa will be considered for the De Beers African Health scholarship. Ideal candidates are individuals whose research and practice are focused on improving health and quality of life, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. In the personal statement section of the application, applicants are encouraged to outline their plans to improve the public health of Africa upon completion of the MPH program.

Questions
Contact  Christina Linhoff, 410-502-0687.

The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
The first and largest school of public health in the world, the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health is consistently ranked No. 1 by U.S. News & World Report. We are dedicated to protecting health and saving lives─millions at a time.

Johns Hopkins University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer committed to recruiting, supporting and fostering a diverse community of outstanding faculty, staff and students. All applicants who share this goal are encouraged to apply.

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