Deadline: January 30, 2026
Applications are open for the Bill Emerson National Hunger Fellowship Program 2026-2027. The Bill Emerson National Hunger Fellowship is an 11-month fellowship to develop a deep understanding of effective solutions to hunger and poverty and their own roles in achieving Zero Hunger in the United States.
Following orientation and field training in Washington, D.C., Emerson Fellows spend five months with community-based organizations throughout the United States. In mid-February fellows return to Washington for a second placement with organizations and government agencies focused on national anti-hunger and anti-poverty policy. Throughout the fellowship, fellows hone essential skills and form a strong professional cohort through in-person trainings, retreats, and professional development sessions.
Benefits
- Emerson Fellows typically receive financial packages of no less than $50,000 over the duration of the fellowship.
- Emerson Fellows gain:
- 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
- Project management experience.
Eligibility
- U.S. citizenship or permanent legal residency (required)
- Commitment to ending hunger and poverty in the United States
- Ability to adjust and adapt to new situations
- Commitment to addressing root causes of hunger and poverty
- Demonstrated leadership qualities and skills
- 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
- Willingness to search for new models in anti-hunger and anti-poverty work
- Lived experience with hunger and poverty
- Experience working in low-income communities
- Excitement about peer learning in a tight knit community of fellows
- Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent experience
Application
Assemble your supporting materials. Submit, as a single pdf, the three documents outlined below. Applications that do not include all three documents will not be considered.
- A one-page resume;
- A one-page personal statement, single spaced, which addresses the following:
- What values, experiences, or perspectives have shaped your interest in the Bill Emerson National Hunger Fellowship?
- What particular qualities, knowledge, experiences, and skills will you contribute to your potential field and policy placements?
- How do you expect this fellowship to contribute to achieving your professional goals?
- A one-page response to the following short essay questions (each response should be single spaced and half-page in length):
- How have your community work and life experiences changed your perspective on hunger and poverty over time?
- What role do you believe government plays, or should play, in addressing complex social problems such as hunger and poverty
For more information, visit Bill Emerson National Hunger Fellowship.
