A fellowship programme will award US$20.3 million over 5 years to 400 early-career scientists in the United States and in low- and middle-income countries to build the next generation of global-health researchers. Eighteen centres at the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland, including the Fogarty International Center are supporting the fellowships. Participants will be selected by their institution to conduct research at one of about 80 sites globally. Trainees will study issues such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, maternal and child health, cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Postdocs will make up 80% of new fellows and graduate students the remaining 20%.