Applications are now being accepted for the New York State Public Health Corps Fellowship Program.

This first-in-the-nation program will train up to 1,000 fellows to help with vaccination efforts, and to help prepare for any future public health emergencies. 

The program will provide full time compensation for a year. The pay ranges from $41,000 to $64,000 a year based on experience. 

Fellows will complete coursework online and earn a public health essentials certificate from Cornell University.

"The COVID pandemic ambushed New York and upended our lives, and one of the greatest lessons we've learned is that we need to act now and be prepared for the next public health crisis," Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a statement. "We are teaming up with Cornell University to train and educate the next generation of public health professionals, who will be ready to hit the ground running and help their communities if and when another public health emergency hits. I encourage everyone who is interested to apply for this first-in-the-nation program and become a part New York's emergency public health and preparedness efforts."

"The SUNY System will be an active partner in launching the Public Health Corps—a first-of-its-kind program that will help New York put an end to COVID-19 while better preparing us for the next pandemic," SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras said in a statement. "Over the last 15 months, members of the SUNY community—particularly our students—have showcased a great hunger to serve their communities and play a pivotal role in the public health response. The Public Health Corps is a great opportunity for those students and recent graduates to further pursue their service interests while providing a crucial, additional response layer for future public health emergencies."

Those with medical, IT and logistics backgrounds are encouraged to apply on the state's website.