The Reducetarian Fellowship

FEATURES

Program

The Reducetarian Fellowship is a unique opportunity for students to begin building the knowledge and skills needed to make a tangible impact on our global food system. Through the program, Fellows get:

• Direct access to movement leaders working on cutting-edge ideas and initiatives

• Exposure to a wide range of approaches to improving the food system and guidance in critically examining different strategies

• Workshops and trainings in networking, writing, public speaking, entrepreneurship, and other skills

• Individualized support and guidance through one-on-one mentorship

• The chance to gain further exposure and training through a 10-week summer residency at an impactful partner organization
  

Funding

Each Fellow is offered a $5,000 stipend, contingent upon internship placement at a partner organization.

SCHEDULE

Academic Year

The fellowship kicks off with a program orientation in late August. The fall curriculum offers students the opportunity to develop a robust understanding of factory farming and its effects on people, animals, and the planet through thought-provoking seminars with scholars and advocates.

August–November

The fellowship kicks off with a program orientation in late August. 

The fall curriculum offers students the opportunity to develop a robust understanding of factory farming and its effects on people, animals, and the planet through seminars with scholars and advocates. 

In October, Fellows attend the annual Reducetarian Summit, where they are invited to participate in the full range of enriching conference activities and networking opportunities.

January–May

The spring curriculum similarly offers exposure to leaders in the field, who share their insights on movement strategy and career pathways through interactive workshops. 

Fellows also spend the spring working on a self-directed project in a community and medium of their choice, aimed at spreading awareness and action on food system reform.

Summer

June–August

During the summer, Fellows put their learning to direct use in a 10-week summer internship at a partner organization. This is an immersive learning experience that gives them firsthand experience with some of the most impactful work in food system reform and innovation.

Throughout the internship, Fellows continue to share ideas and encouragement with their cohort through twice-monthly group calls. They also receive ongoing support and guidance through twice-monthly calls with the Fellowship Coordinator.

The year concludes with a ceremony celebrating the Fellows’ hard work and accomplishments in late August. Each Fellow gives a presentation about their experience to Fellowship staff, internship supervisors, and friends and family.

ALUMNI BENEFITS

Fellowship Network

Each cohort is a tight-knit group of diverse students. In addition to supporting and learning from one another during their Fellowship year, they are encouraged to stay connected through the Fellowship’s Alumni Network. Benefits for alumni include:

• Ongoing access to and support from Fellowship staff

• Opportunity to give back by serving as a mentor to future Fellows

• Free or reduced-cost tickets to the annual Reducetarian Summit

• Invitations to the annual Reducetarian Fellowship alumni networking event

• Access to updates and information about relevant job openings, local events, etc.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

All applicants must:

• Have a social security number

• Be an undergraduate or master’s student at the time of application

• Be able to attend weekly in-person meetings in Washington DC

The Reducetarian Fellowship is a hands-on clinical training experience designed to provide students with job readiness training similar to what would be given in an educational environment. As such, we do not require prior experience with or specific knowledge about topics relevant to the program.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We look for students who are self-motivated and eager to make an impact using the skills and experience they would gain from this program. Qualities sought include (but are not limited to):

• Robust interest in creating a more sustainable, healthy, and humane food system

• Interest in the Reducetarian philosophy and/or effective altruism

• Ability to receive constructive feedback and implement changes in response

• Growth mindset (the belief that new skills can be developed through hard work, good strategies, and high-quality input from others)

• Ambition, openness, humility, and integrity

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications open February 1 and close March 31. Once the application review begins, students are notified of their status after each stage of the process. Final selections are made on or before June 7th.

The application stages are as follows:

Stage 1: Short application form

Stage 2: Brief essay or video, or other small creative project (applicant’s choice)

Stage 3: Initial interview (with Fellowship Coordinator)

Stage 4: Final interview (with Fellowship Coordinator and Fellowship Director)

 SPEAK WITH US

If you are unsure whether the Fellowship would be a good match for your career goals, we encourage you to register for an information session.

We are committed to ensuring that our application process is as accessible as possible. If you believe you may require accommodations of any kind in order to apply for the Fellowship, please reach out to Sofia at sofia@reducetarian.org.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS