WASHINGTON, D.C., May 15, 2013 – The Peace Corps today will begin accepting applications from healthcare professionals interested in serving as medical or nursing educators in Malawi, Tanzania and Uganda as part of the Global Health Service Partnership program.

Volunteers will serve one-year assignments starting July 2014 teaching clinical skills to medical and nursing students while working to build capacity within the countries’ healthcare systems. Applications will be accepted through Nov. 1, 2013, and invitations will be extended on a rolling basis. New this year, candidates can apply for Early Decision if they submit their application by Oct. 1, 2013, offering them more advance notice of the decision on their application.

This innovative public-private partnership – established in March 2012 – is a joint effort among the Peace Corps, the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), and Seed Global Health (formerly Global Health Service Corps) to place nurses and physicians as adjunct faculty in medical or nursing schools overseas. The program addresses shortages of health professionals in less developed countries by strengthening the quality and sustainability of medical and nursing education and clinical practices. This July, the first class of Global Health Service Partnership volunteers will begin their service.

The Global Health Service Partnership is a Peace Corps Response program, which offers high-impact, short-term assignments for qualified professionals. Benefits for volunteers include monthly living stipends, transportation to and from their country of service, comprehensive medical care, a readjustment allowance, and paid vacation days. Seed Global Health also raises funds from the private sector, independently of the Peace Corps, to finance loan repayment stipends for eligible volunteers.

To learn more about the Global Health Service Partnership, visit http://www.peacecorps.gov/response/globalhealth/. To start the application process, visit www.peacecorps.gov/response/apply.

About the Peace Corps: Since President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps by executive order on March 1, 1961, more than 210,000 Americans have served in 139 host countries. Today, 8,073 volunteers are working with local communities in 76 host countries in agriculture, community economic development, education, environment, health and youth in development. Peace Corps volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age. Peace Corps service is a 27-month commitment and the agency’s mission is to promote world peace and friendship and a better understanding between Americans and people of other countries. Visit www.peacecorps.gov for more information.

About PEPFAR: The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) is the U.S. Government initiative to help save the lives of people affected by HIV/AIDS around the world. PEPFAR is the largest commitment by any nation to combat a single disease internationally and PEPFAR investments also provide a platform for efforts to address other public health needs. PEPFAR is driven by a shared responsibility among donor and partner nations and others to make smart investments to save lives. For more information, visit www.pepfar.gov.

About Seed Global Health: Seed Global Health is a non-profit whose mission is to strengthen health systems globally by partnering US physicians and nurses with local educators. Seed Global Health believes educational partnerships can rapidly increase the pool of providers and educators in countries where they are most needed. Committed to recruiting the best-qualified candidates, including those who may have financial constraints to service, Seed Global Health raises and disburses loan repayment and other appropriate stipends of support to individuals chosen for assignments abroad. Visit www.seedglobalhealth.org for more information.

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