GFEP Q&A

Both! GFEP’s mission is to promote the expansion and integration of field epidemiology capacities into national health systems. Field Epidemiology Training Programs (FETPs) remain central to this mission as they are the primary training mechanism for field epidemiologists, with FETPs now established in more than 85 countries. Many of GFEP’s activities relate directly to FETPs and their current trainees and graduates. However, GFEP also aims to support the broader field epidemiology workforce and systems, including other field epidemiology training programs and the public health specialists engaged in practicing field epidemiology, recognising that they are critical to achieving this mission. 

Click here to learn more about GFEP’s areas of work.

The Training Programs in Epidemiology and Public Health Interventions Network (TEPHINET) and the Global Field Epidemiology Partnership (GFEP) have separate, mutually beneficial mandates.   

TEPHINET is the global network of Field Epidemiology Training Programs (FETPs). It is an independent, legally-registered entity with FETPs as its members. TEPHINET’s purpose is to support FETPs globally, which it achieves through providing accreditation for programs, developing learning resources, supporting learning exchange through scientific conferences, and strengthening the FETP network globally.  

GFEP is a convening organization that brings together field epidemiology-related partners to coordinate and harmonize their activities and harness their shared expertise to improve outcomes for the field epidemiology workforce at large. GFEP’s members include FETPs, but also other field-epidemiology related partners. TEPHINET is a founding member of GFEP, along with the World Health Organization and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. TEPHINET also serves as GFEP’s secretariat. 

GFEP is the successor to the FETP Enterprise. 

In 2018, recognizing that successful support to Field Epidemiology Training Programs (FETPs) requires active engagement of a broad range of stakeholders at the national, regional, and global levels, the US CDC, the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Training Programs in Epidemiology and Public Health Interventions Network  (TEPHINET), and other partners began discussing the importance of an approach to bring all leaders, funders, implementing partners, government agencies, and other stakeholders engaged in the FETP global effort together under a common umbrella, ultimately coining the term ‘the FETP Enterprise’ to describe this group. The COVID-19 pandemic provided an opportunity to reconsider the best ways to support field epidemiology in the rapidly evolving global health landscape. The FETP Enterprise realized that there was a need to evolve from a focus on supporting FETPs to providing more holistic and coordinated support to the broader field epidemiology workforce and relevant institutions, systems, and processes. In late 2023, the FETP Enterprise evolved into a more tangible partnership entity, the Global Field Epidemiology Partnership (GFEP), with a clear vision, mission, strategy, and governance mechanism to enable its member institutions to collaborate in a coordinated manner for a common cause. 

Any organization that shares GFEP’s vision and mission and contributes to its strategic objectives may become a GFEP member. 
Members should be able to demonstrate the following two criteria: 
  • They are aligned with GFEP’s vision, mission, strategic themes, and activities. 
  • They share GFEP’s guiding principles. 

GFEP’s vision, mission, strategic themes, and guiding principles are outlined in our Strategy.

GFEP membership for FETPs

FETPs are valued members of the field epidemiology community and are encouraged to become GFEP members. FETPs will not be asked to demonstrate the above two criteria.

GFEP membership for other organizations

To embrace the diverse subject matter expertise contributing to GFEP’s vision and mission, organizations (or sub-groups within organizations, e.g., divisions, departments, teams, initiatives) can apply to become GFEP members as separate entities. Each entity needs to demonstrate the above two criteria independently. For example, if an FETP is placed structurally within a government agency (e.g. National Public Health Institute (NPHI) or Ministry of Health (MoH)) and both the FETP and government agency wish to be represented as GFEP members, they may submit membership applications separately. In other situations, different groups within a single organization (e.g. Divisions, Departments, etc) may work relatively independently of each other and have different interests in field epidemiology training; in this situation, they may choose to apply either as separate entities or as a single entity.

Each member organization (or sub-group) should identify a Focal Point to streamline communication with GFEP. Moreover, organizations must ensure that senior managers in their organization agree with, and are committed to, the organization or sub-groups’ membership to GFEP.

It is up to each organization to decide if they prefer to submit one membership application, or multiple membership applications for different sub-groups. The benefit of having multiple memberships for different sub-groups within larger organizations is that the Focal Point for these sub-groups will receive communication directly from GFEP, and it may be easier for these groups to tailor their engagement with GFEP based on their needs and interests. Alternately, organizations may wish to have all GFEP communications streamlined through a single Focal Point and opt to have only one membership.

GFEP seeks to ensure equitable representation of its diverse membership in key decision-making forums. When voting in GFEP general assemblies, larger organizations who have multiple sub-group memberships with GFEP will be requested to cast one combined organizational vote. Similarly, only one representative from an organization may serve on GFEP’s Steering Committee at any one time. Multiple representatives from one organization may serve on a Technical Working Group, however one organization may not constitute more than 20% of the total Technical Working Group members.

If you have any additional questions about membership eligibility, you are welcome to email the GFEP Secretariat at info@gfep.info.

Register to become a GFEP member

There are no fees associated with membership.
 
By joining GFEP, your organization (or sub-group) will gain access to a common partnership mechanism that effectively and efficiently promotes collaboration, coordination, information sharing, mutual learning, and joint actions related to field epidemiology. Under the partnership umbrella, GFEP members amplify their contributions to field epidemiology, ensuring that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
 
Under your organization or sub-group’s membership, your staff can be involved with GFEP in several ways:
 

GFEP Focal Point

We ask that each member organization or sub-group identifies a Focal Point. This person will be the point of contact for all communication from GFEP and can feed back any concerns or issues to GFEP’s Secretariat. 
 
GFEP’s Steering Committee
 
GFEP’s Steering Committee consists of 12 representatives from GFEP member organizations. The Steering Committee of GFEP oversees its strategic direction, supporting the partnership to achieve its mission and objectives. Steering Committee membership is rotational, with each term lasting 2 years. 
 
 
GFEP’s Technical Working Groups
 
GFEP’s Technical Working Groups (TWGs) provide a forum where subject matter experts will come together to solve specific challenges related to field epidemiology.
 
Each TWG will include representatives from GFEP member organizations who shall serve in their personal capacities as subject matter experts (SMEs) to represent a broad range of expertise relevant to the thematic work of the TWG. Technical Experts from non-GFEP member organizations or independent experts may also be included in the TWG based on the skills and experience required for that thematic area. 
 
The objectives of GFEP’s TWGs are: (i) to implement technical initiatives supporting GFEPs mandate, and (ii) to serve as an advisory body to the steering committee, providing technical and analytical input, within specified thematic domains under GFEP’s strategy, to ensure evidence-based recommendations and data-driven decision-making.
 
Details on the initial TWG thematic areas, and a call for applications, will be coming soon.
 
Communities of Practice
 
Communities of Practice (CoPs) are groups who share a particular interest, or area of concern, and come together to discuss, share learning and implement best practices around that topic. GFEP recognises that some CoPs relating to field epidemiology already exist and will work to map and share information on these groups so that members can join and contribute. 
 
GFEP will also look to identify gaps in CoPs and help to establish groups that can further support and promote field epidemiology.
 
Participation in events
 
GFEP will inform members of upcoming events that they can get involved in.
 

Organizations may choose to be a member of both TEPHINET and GFEP, depending on their eligibility. We strongly encourage all eligible organizations to become members of both networks.

TEPHINET membership is open only to Field Epidemiology Training Programs (FETPs).

GFEP membership is open to all organizations (including FETPs) that meet the GFEP membership criteria, outlined in the Membership Registration Form. See “Who can become a GFEP member” for more information.

GFEP’s Technical Working Groups (TWGs) are the engines driving our mission to strengthen field epidemiology globally. TWGs are dynamic teams of experts who collaborate to provide guidance on addressing critical challenges and making the most of opportunities in field epidemiology.    

Why are TWGs important? 

TWGs play a vital role in shaping the future of field epidemiology by: 

  • Leading technical initiatives: TWGs take charge of implementing GFEP’s strategic goals.    
  • Advising GFEP’s Steering Committee: TWG expertise ensures evidence-based decisions and data-driven strategies.    
  • Fostering collaboration: TWGs bring together diverse perspectives from the global field epidemiology community to address complex challenges.    


While TWG membership is a volunteer opportunity without compensation, it offers invaluable benefits: 

  • Make a real difference: Contribute directly to the growth and development of field epidemiology worldwide.    
  • Boost your expertise: Gain experience in addressing critical challenges in field epidemiology.    
  • Expand your network: Connect with a global community of field epidemiology experts.    


Who can apply? 

We’re looking for dedicated individuals with: 

  • A master’s degree and at least 10 years of practical experience (including 4 years internationally) OR a doctoral degree and at least 8 years of experience (including 2 years internationally).    
  • Relevant experience in areas such as public health, epidemiology, health policy, laboratory sciences, veterinary sciences, education, law, or business administration.    
  • FETP experience (director, resident advisor, mentor) is highly desirable for some TWGs.    


Ready to make a difference? 

Join a GFEP Technical Working Group and help us shape the future of field epidemiology! 

Click here to learn more about GFEP’s Technical Working Groups.