Deadline to apply is Jan. 12 for the 2024-25 fellowship year. Get program information, recorded webinars, tips to apply and the application guide at https://hungercenter.org/what-we-do/emerson-fellowship/fellows/.
The Emerson Fellowship develops effective leaders in the movement to end hunger and poverty in the U.S. During their year in the program fellows develop their leadership skills and gain hands-on experience through placements with host organizations at the local, state, regional, and national levels.
- Field Placements: For the first six months Emerson Fellows are placed with organizations across the U.S. with a local or regional focus, including food banks, anti-hunger/ anti-poverty advocacy groups, food policy councils, research institutions, and state, local, and regional government agencies.
- Policy Placements: For the second half of the fellowship, Emerson Fellows shift their focus to national anti-hunger and anti-poverty policy through placements with national advocacy groups, think tanks, and federal government agencies.
UW alum, Taylor Unoki ('22-'23 fellow), was placed with Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio, where she created a Landscape Assessment that gathered data on demographics and social determinants of food insecurity such as healthcare, food deserts, and housing to identify gaps where Second Harvest could focus its resources. Taylor’s policy placement was at the Food Research & Action Center in Washington, D.C. where she gathered state level data and information to identify barriers and recommendations for WIC individuals on a state basis. Read more about Taylor’s fellowship experience.
Benefits and Financial Support during and after the fellowship:
- The Hunger Center establishes its financial packages for fellows based on their location, taking into consideration the cost of living at both the field and policy placements. Fellows typically receive financial packages of no less than $48,000 over the duration of the fellowship.
- Graduate School Partnerships: Emerson alums pursuing masters’ degrees in public health or public policy at select institutions are eligible for significant discounts on tuition.
- Other Benefits: membership in a dynamic learning community of fellows; connection to an extensive network of alums, partners, and experts; experience working with community and policy leaders; training, mentoring, and leadership development; and Project management experience.
Eligibility & Selection Criteria:
- Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent experience
- U.S. citizenship or permanent legal residency (required)
- A commitment to ending hunger and poverty in the United States
- An ability to adjust and adapt to new situations
- A commitment to racial equity and social justice
- Demonstrated leadership qualities and skills
- An ability to solve problems in creative and innovative ways
- Enthusiasm for learning from a wide variety of individuals with expertise in the area anti-hunger/anti-poverty space
- A willingness to search for new models in anti-hunger and anti-poverty work
- A lived experience with hunger and poverty
- Experience working in low-income communities
- Excitement about peer learning in a tightknit community of fellows
UW undergraduate students and alumni planning to apply can get support throughout the application process from the Office of Merit Scholarships, Fellowships & Awards. UW graduate/professional students and alumni can get support from the Graduate School Office of Fellowships & Awards.