Part of being an effective leader is learning how to use your unique skills to create change as only you know how. Helping our participants develop a sense of how they can best contribute to the movement to end hunger is embedded in all of our leadership development programs.
We’re now accepting applications for the Emerson National Hunger Fellowship and the Zero Hunger Internship. While the two programs share some elements in common, there are a number of significant differences.
Starting with similarities: participants in both programs gain hands-on work experience through placements with anti-hunger organizations. Both programs offer first-rate leadership development and a supportive cohort model. And for both programs, we’re looking for prospective applicants with a dedication to eradicating hunger and its root causes, especially people with lived experience of hunger or poverty.
Apart from that, the programs are quite different in terms of duration, location, and other factors. See a comparison of the two programs below.
| Emerson Hunger Fellowship | Zero Hunger Internship | |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 11 months (September 2024-July 2025) | 10 weeks (Summer 2024) |
| Location | One placement in a community in the U.S. (see map of past placements) and one placement in Washington, D.C | One placement in Washington, D.C. |
| Host organizations typically include: | Food banks, anti-hunger/ anti-poverty advocacy groups, food policy councils, research institutions, think tanks, and state, local, regional, and federal government agencies. | International and national NGOs with a policy focus, U.S. government agencies, multi-lateral organizations, foundations, or private sector entities. |
| Financial Package | Based on cost of living at both placements; total financial package of no less than $48,000 over 11 months. | Up to $7,500 over 10 weeks, plus transportation (within the U.S.) to and from Washington, D.C. at start and completion of internship. |
| Eligibility | Open to U.S. Citizens and permanent legal residents only | Open to U.S. Citizens, permanent legal residents, and people legally authorized to work in the U.S. |
| Education Requirements | Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required. | Must be current or recently graduated undergraduate student (for the 7th class, this means having attained a Bachelor’s degree in December 2023 or later) |
| Application Deadline | January 12, 2024 | January 13, 2024 |
We also hosted an online info session on Wednesday, Decemeber 13, for prospective applicants to both programs. Watch a recording of that webinar below.
Ready to prepare your application to the Emerson Fellowship or Zero Hunger Internship? Get started today! Check out our Application Guide for prospective Emerson Fellows and our Application Guide for prospective Zero Hunger Interns to learn more.