The Bill Emerson National Hunger Fellowship, offered by the Congressional Hunger Center, is an 11-month leadership program designed to cultivate the next generation of anti-hunger and anti-poverty leaders in the United States. The fellowship equips emerging professionals with deep, practical experience in community-based work and national policy, preparing them to contribute meaningfully to the movement to end hunger. Through field placements, policy assignments, training sessions, and cohort-based learning, fellows gain a comprehensive understanding of the systems, strategies, and leadership approaches required to achieve a hunger-free future. A Dual Placement Experience: Field-to-Policy Bridge A distinctive strength of the Emerson Fellowship is its field-to-policy structure, which exposes fellows to anti-hunger work at multiple levels. After orientation and training in Washington, D.C., fellows begin with a five-month field placement at community-based organizations across the country. These host sites include nonprofits, food banks, research institutions, advocacy groups, and grassroots coalitions dedicated to improving food security and economic stability. Fellows engage directly with the lived realities of hunger and poverty. Their work during the field phase may include community outreach, program evaluation, research, public education, data analysis, and local policy advocacy. By collaborating with community members and practitioners, fellows develop a grounded understanding of food system challenges and the barriers faced by vulnerable populations. In mid-February, fellows return to Washington, D.C. for their policy placement, where they work with national organizations, think tanks, and government agencies shaping anti-hunger and anti-poverty policy. Fellows participate in federal policy analysis, legislative research, communications, coalition building, and strategic advocacy. This dual exposure provides invaluable insight into how community needs inform national strategies—and how federal policy affects local realities. Developing Leadership and Addressing Root Causes The fellowship recognizes that hunger cannot be eliminated without addressing the root causes of poverty, inequality, and limited economic opportunity. Throughout both field and policy placements, fellows contribute to efforts that tackle systemic issues such as racial inequities, employment challenges, housing instability, and barriers to accessing public benefits. The Emerson Fellowship incorporates the Hunger Center’s Leadership Capabilities model, ensuring that fellows build a strong foundation in ethical leadership, collaboration, systems thinking, and change-making. Through in-person trainings, retreats, and workshops, fellows strengthen their skills in public speaking, facilitation, project design, strategic analysis, and culturally responsive leadership. Each cohort becomes a powerful learning community, supporting one another’s development and cultivating long-term professional connections. Former fellows often highlight the fellowship’s impact on their confidence, voice, and vision for change. As noted by alumna Liz Clasen-Kelly, now Executive Director of the Men’s Shelter of Charlotte, the fellowship helped her integrate frontline service with broader systems change. Likewise, David Blount, a 2014–2015 fellow, describes the program as a defining experience that validated his voice and affirmed his role as a leader. Information Session for Prospective Applicants Prospective applicants can learn more about the fellowship during a live information session on Thursday, December 11. The session will cover the program structure, expectations, application steps, and opportunities available to fellows. It is an ideal chance for future candidates to engage directly with program staff and ask questions about the fellowship experience. Applications for the 2026–2027 Class Applications for the 2026–2027 Emerson Fellowship open on Thursday, December 4, 2025, and the deadline to apply is Thursday, January 30, 2026, at noon EST. Applicants are encouraged to review the program overview, which provides details on selection criteria, the application timeline, benefits, and expectations. The application must be submitted in one session, as the online form does not save progress automatically. Candidates should complete their responses in a separate document before uploading. Applicants and interested individuals are also encouraged to join the Congressional Hunger Center’s newsletter to receive updates about the fellowship, informational events, and organizational news. Join a National Network of Leaders The Bill Emerson National Hunger Fellowship offers a transformative experience for emerging leaders committed to advancing equity and ending hunger in the United States. By combining frontline engagement with national policy exposure, the fellowship prepares participants to become impactful leaders in public service, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, academia, and advocacy coalitions. Individuals who join the fellowship become part of a powerful national network of alumni working to influence systems, advance justice, and improve community well-being across the country. VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the fellowship organization. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.