Apply to the New Roots Institute Fellowship

How to Apply

Application Deadline

Priority Deadline:
Apply by February 25th, 2026 for guaranteed consideration.

Final Deadline:
Applications close May 13th, 2026, or when all spots are filled.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

About the application process

Step 1: Online Application
‍The online application will take approximately 60 minutes to complete. You can pause and return to your application at any time—your progress will save automatically for 15 days (except in Private/Incognito mode). The application includes the following:

Eligibility check
Basic information
Three reflection prompts:
- Two short written responses
- One short video response
  - You can record your video directly in the application or upload a file
  - No fancy setup or perfect background needed—we’re focused on what you have to say, not production quality
- Optional materials: Resume and/or LinkedIn profile (helpful, but not required)

Step 2: Virtual Interview
Applicants who advance past the first round will be invited to a 20-minute interview with a member of our staff.

Choose which programs to apply for

The New Roots Institute Fellowship equips you with the knowledge, skills, and community to challenge industrial animal agriculture—on your campuses and beyond. You’ll begin with Phase One, the six-week virtual summer Leadership Academy. Many continue into Phase Two, the Academic Year Fellowship.

In the application, you can choose whether to apply to:

The full year New Roots Institute Fellowship (Leadership Academy + Academic Year Fellowship)
Summer Leadership Academy

Who should apply

To participate in our Fellowship, you must be:

Be a high school, college, or graduate student
Be able to learn and communicate in English
Have consistent, reliable internet access that can support video conferencing
Be able to attend all required programming at the scheduled dates and times
Be able to join programming from a computer, in a quiet location, with your camera on
Be willing to complete assignments and project work on time
Be aligned with New Roots Institute’s mission and values

We encourage you to apply if you are:

A student interested in building a more just and sustainable food system
Excited to take action through organizing, campaigning, or community change
Passionate about issues such as climate change, animal welfare, public health, and social or environmental justice
Ready to engage deeply in discussions and written reflections and to grow as a leader

FAQS

Learn More About the Fellowship

The Leadership Academy (Phase One)
June 30 - August 6, 2026

Over six transformative weeks, you’ll dive deep into how factory farming really works—and more importantly, how we can dismantle it.

Schedule

June 30 - August 6, 2026
Live sessions: Tuesday–Thursday each week
‍

Core programming:
9:00am-12:30pm PT / 12:00-4:30pm ET
‍
Discussion & Skill-Building Groups:
Small-group sessions meet once per day during programming weeks, either:

8:00–9:00 am PT / 11:00 am–12:00 pm ET, or
12:30–1:30 pm PT / 3:30–4:30 pm ET
‍

You’ll select your group upon acceptance into the program.

Time commitment

Expect to spend about 18–20 hours per week during the Leadership Academy:

‍Live sessions: 4.5 hours per day, Tuesday–Thursday
Asynchronous work: ~5 hours per week, completed on your own schedule

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY

Academic Year Fellowship (Phase 2)
September 23, 2026 - April 9, 2027

During the Academic Year Fellowship, you’ll launch an advocacy campaign, build a team of changemakers, and shift the conversation around factory farming in your community.

Schedule

The Academic Year Fellowship combines weekly virtual programming with hands-on advocacy projects. Program staff work with fellows to shape a schedule that fits their academic commitments.

Time commitment

Fellows can expect to dedicate approximately 6+ hours per week, including:

1–3 hours per week of live virtual sessions
3+ hours per week of independent campaign work, project planning, and collaboration with teammates

This structure is designed to be flexible, supportive, and compatible with full-time school schedules.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ACADEMIC YEAR FELLOWSHIP

FAQs

Eligibility & Application

Who is eligible to apply?

To participate in the Fellowship, you must:

Be a high school, college, or graduate student
Be able to learn and communicate in English
Have consistent, reliable internet access that can support video conferencing
Be able to attend all required programming at the scheduled dates and times
Be able to join programming from a computer, in a quiet location, with your camera on
Be willing to complete assignments and project work on time
Be aligned with New Roots Institute’s mission and values

We encourage you to apply if you are:

A student interested in building a more just and sustainable food system
Excited to take action through organizing, campaigning, or community change
Passionate about issues such as climate change, animal welfare, public health, and social or environmental justice
Ready to engage deeply in discussions and written reflections and to grow as a leader

Can I apply from outside the United States?

Can I apply from outside the
United States?

Yes. Students living outside the United States are welcome to apply if their time zone allows full participation in live programming and they meet all other eligibility criteria. Space for international participants is limited.

Can I choose whether to apply for the Leadership Academy or the full New Roots Institute Fellowship?

Can I choose whether to apply
for the Leadership Academy
or the full New Roots
Institute Fellowship?

Yes. You can apply to either the Leadership Academy (Phase One) or the full New Roots Institute Fellowship, which includes both the Leadership Academy (Phase One) and the Academic Year Fellowship (Phase Two). If you begin with the Leadership Academy, you’ll have the option to apply to the Academic Year Fellowship later.

When are applications due?

The priority deadline is February 25, 2026, and the final deadline is May 13, 2026. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so applying by the priority deadline gives you the best chance of acceptance and guarantees your application will be considered.

What is the application process like?

What is the application
process like?

Applicants complete an online application that includes basic information, short-answer questions, and one video response. Those who advance to the next stage are invited to a 20-minute virtual interview with New Roots staff. We look for applicants who show a genuine passion for ending factory farming, emerging leadership, and a commitment to learning, collaboration, and action throughout the Fellowship.

Program Details

What is the New Roots Institute Fellowship, the Leadership Academy, and the Academic Year Fellowship?

What is the Academic Year
Fellowship, and what is
the time commitment?

The New Roots Institute Fellowship equips you with the knowledge, skills, and community to challenge industrial animal agriculture—on your campuses and beyond.

‍The New Roots Institute Fellowship has two phases:

Leadership Academy (Phase One): A six-week virtual summer program that builds foundational knowledge about factory farming and develops core leadership and advocacy skills.
Academic Year Fellowship (Phase Two): A hands-on program where fellows lead advocacy campaigns on their campuses and in their communities, applying the leadership, communication, and organizing skills developed during the Leadership Academy.

You can apply to either the Leadership Academy only or the full New Roots Institute Fellowship, which includes both phases. If you begin with the Leadership Academy, you’ll have the option to apply to the Academic Year Fellowship later.

What happens if I can't attend every session during the Leadership Academy?

What happens if I can't attend
every session during the
Leadership Academy?

Fellows may miss up to two full days (or eight individual sessions, the equivalent of two days) of programming during the Leadership Academy with prior notice and completion of required make-up work. If you anticipate needing to miss more than this, please let us know before applying using the contact details below to discuss your unique situation.

What kinds of campaigns do fellows lead during the Academic Year Fellowship?

What kinds of campaigns do
fellows lead during the
Academic Year Fellowship?

Fellows lead real-world advocacy campaigns with support from New Roots staff and partner organizations, and a specialized curriculum. Campaigns focus on improving campus and community food systems, shifting cultural norms through education and communication, and advancing policy and legislative solutions. Each fellow receives individualized coaching and resources tailored to their campaign goals.

What happens after I complete the program?

What happens after I complete
the program?

Graduates join the New Roots Institute Alumni Network—a vibrant and growing community of more than 600 advocates dedicated to ending factory farming. Alumni gain access to continued learning, leadership development, and career development through programming, events, and connections with fellow advocates. Many go on to build careers within the movement to end factory farming, mentor current fellows, share expertise in workshops, and pursue opportunities such as the paid Teaching Fellowship, which allows alumni to support future cohorts of students.

Funding & Support

Can I receive school credit?

Whether or not you can receive internship credit, course credit, or independent study credit depends on the requirements of your school. If the Leadership Academy or Academic Year Fellowship meets your school’s requirements to receive credit, we are happy to work with you to fill those requirements. Please reach out using the contact details below with any questions.

Can I receive funding during the Fellowship?

Fellows who participate in the full New Roots Institute Fellowship receive $2,500.

To be eligible, fellows must participate in both phases of the Fellowship, the Leadership Academy and the Academic Year Fellowship, and remain in good standing by meeting all program requirements. Fellows who participate only in the Leadership Academy, or who do not meet program requirements, are not eligible for funding.

The $2,500 is issued in five installments of $500. The first installment is issued after the Leadership Academy, and the remaining four installments are issued throughout the Academic Year Fellowship.

Are there additional financial awards available?

A small number of Empowerment Awards of $2,000 are available to exceptional student leaders. These awards are separate from the $2,500 in funding mentioned above, and are both merit- and needs-based, celebrating fellows whose leadership, commitment, and alignment with our mission exemplify the spirit of the Fellowship.

Because the awards are limited, they are offered to select U.S.-based applicants who apply to the full New Roots Institute Fellowship by the priority deadline. If you’re selected to receive an Empowerment Award, you’ll be notified and can choose to accept it—or, if you don’t need it, pass it on to support another student. Awards are distributed to recipients after successful completion of the Leadership Academy.

Do I need to pay to participate in the Fellowship?

There are no required program fees. At New Roots Institute, we don’t want finances to be a barrier to participation in our leadership development programs. We are committed to making our programs accessible to all passionate and dedicated students, regardless of their financial circumstances.

Students are invited—but not required—to make an optional contribution to help sustain the program. Contributions are entirely voluntary and have no impact on admission decisions or participation.

How do you support fellows who face challenges or competing priorities?

We recognize that every student faces obstacles. Our approach balances accountability with compassion: we maintain high expectations while providing personalized support to help fellows stay engaged and succeed.

Contact & Inquiries

Who can I contact with additional questions?

Please reach out to Sara Wilson, Admissions Specialist, with any additional questions about the New Roots Institute Fellowship.