A 11-month program of the Congressional Hunger Center (CHC), Emerson National Hunger Fellowships provide encouragement, inspiration, and training to future leaders in social justice. Fellows gain field experience fighting hunger and poverty through placements in community-based organizations across the country, and policy experience through placements in Washington, D.C. The program bridges community-based efforts and national public policy, aiming to help fellows develop as effective leaders in the movement to end hunger and poverty.
Each year, twenty participants are selected from around the country for this year-long program. Following initial orientation in Washington, fellows spend their first five months with local community-based organizations such as grassroots organizing groups, food banks, economic development agencies, city governments, food policy councils, and local advocacy organizations. After regrouping in Washington, fellows then work in nonprofit organizations and government agencies in the D.C. area that work on hunger and poverty policies at the national level.
Fellows receive a living stipend, health insurance, and housing support during the course of the program. Upon completion, fellows receive an end-of-service award and become part of the Emerson Hunger Fellows alumni community and professional network.
CHC recruits thoughtful individuals who are committed to social justice and anti-racism, enthusiastic about participating in the fellowship community, and able to adjust easily to new situations. Applicants should have some experience with anti-hunger or anti-poverty work and must be citizens or permanent legal residents of the United States who will have a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent experience upon taking up the fellowship.