Congressional Hunger Center—Emerson National Hunger Fellowship

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Program Purpose: 

The Congressional Hunger Center supports a diversity of local and national approaches to eliminate hunger, poverty and oppression and nurture a national network of creative and inspiring change agents who hope to create a country where access to nutritious, affordable, and culturally appropriate food is recognized as a basic human right.

Program Description: 

The Bill Emerson National Hunger Fellowship develops leaders with a deep understanding of hunger and poverty at the local and national levels that enables them to find innovative solutions and create the political will to end hunger. Each year 20 participants are selected for this 11-month program. Fellows are placed for half their term with local urban and rural community-based organizations across the country involved in fighting hunger – including grassroots organizing groups, food banks, economic development agencies, local advocacy groups, and faith-based organizations. Fellows complete their year in Washington, D.C. with national organizations involved in the anti-hunger and poverty movements – including national advocacy organizations, think tanks, and federal agencies.

Program Benefits: 

Fellows receive health insurance, relocation stipends, a living allowance of $14,500 for the year, and an end-of-service cash award of $3,500. Fellows do not pay for housing in the host community during the six-month field placement; a $3,500 housing stipend is provided to offset cost of housing in D.C. during policy placement segment of the program. All program-related travel expenses are covered. Program participants are eligible for admission to Carnegie Mellon's Heinz School's Master of Science in Public Policy and Management and Master of Science in Health Care Policy and Management programs. The Heinz programs have been consistently ranked among the nation's top ten public policy programs. If admitted to either master's program, fellows are eligible for a scholarship of at least $6,000 per semester.

Eligibility: 

Must possess a bachelor's degree.

Citizenship: 

Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

Program Deadline: 

Usually mid-January.

How To Apply: 

Students or alumni, as applicable, may apply directly to this program. Applicants are encouraged, however, to work with SF State's fellowship advisor well in advance of the program deadline to perfect their application essays and other materials.