The field of food systems, a complex web of activities involving producing, processing, distributing, and consuming food, plays a crucial role in our society. These dynamic networks, influenced by various factors such as social, economic, and environmental conditions, encompass everything from agriculture and fisheries to food distribution and waste management. The emphasis on sustainability in food systems is often a key aspect of ensuring food security for all.
Those interested in a career in food systems can pursue the field through education, managing farmer’s markets, doing policy-related work, and even entrepreneurship with restaurants. Stepping into this interdisciplinary field can also begin with pursuing a graduate degree. Whether you’re interested in managing sustainable food projects, educating others, or working alongside farmers, this vocation offers a lot of career diversity.
In this article, we share 5 fellowships for students and professionals interested in food systems. Programs include opportunities for university students, animal food systems researchers, and seasoned professionals. If any fellowship catches your eye, be sure to bookmark it to your free ProFellow account.
1. Yale University Global Food Fellowships
The Global Food Fellowship at Yale University supports students in exploring food systems beyond the campus through academic and extracurricular study. Fellows develop a guiding question to investigate ecological, social, and economic issues in food systems, emphasizing critical engagement with methodology and context. Recipients receive mentorship and support from Yale Sustainable Food Program (YSFP) staff and present their work as part of their presentation series. Two types of awards are available: the Independent Award for self-directed projects and the O’Donohue Family Fellowship Award for an exchange with Stanford University’s Educational Farm. Priority is given to projects engaging with non-Yale community partners, fostering hands-on practice, and aligning with long-term career goals in sustainable food.
2. Bloomberg Fellows Program
The Bloomberg Fellows Program is a distinctive opportunity for individuals already driving change within their communities and organizations. This program supports candidates pursuing an MPH or DrPH degree at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, providing full-tuition scholarships and a $10,000 stipend. Fellows can choose to study full-time or part-time, either in Baltimore or virtually, and upon graduation, they return to their organizations to apply their enhanced skills for at least one year. The program fosters a diverse cohort focused on addressing pressing health challenges, particularly related to obesity, food production, food systems, and food policy. Fellows become part of a dynamic network committed to improving public health outcomes in the United States. Candidates must apply with support from their employer.
3. MSU College of Veterinary Medicine Summer Food Systems Fellowship
The MSU College of Veterinary Medicine Summer Food Systems Fellowship (FSF) Program is a career-boosting opportunity for current veterinary students. In collaboration with industry partners, the program offers immersive learning experiences in the food animal industry. Through hands-on projects and seminars, participants gain insights into various food industry aspects, enhancing their professional development. Open to U.S. citizens or permanent residents enrolled in accredited veterinary programs, the program provides a $7,500 stipend, a $500 research travel stipend, and access to career exploration sessions. The 11-week program runs through the summer, typically from May to August.
4. RI Agriculture and Food System Fellows Program
The RI Agriculture and Food System Fellows Program, a collaboration between the University of Rhode Island Cooperative Extension and industry partners, offers undergraduate students from the community college and university paid work experiences in the agricultural and food system sectors. Through mentor-supervised projects, fellows gain hands-on experience in sustainable agriculture, food and nutrition translation, science communication, and agricultural science policy leadership. The program aims to address food insecurity and promote diversity by engaging historically underrepresented students and providing them with professional development opportunities. Applications are open to motivated undergraduate students interested in local food production, processing, distribution, nutrition, public health, food justice, equity, food policy, business, entrepreneurship, and sustainability within the food system. The fellowship also provides a pathway for community college students to transition to the university level smoothly.
5. Rockefeller Foundation-Acumen Food Systems Fellowship
The Rockefeller Foundation-Acumen Food Systems Fellowship is an immersive one-year leadership program for experienced food systems builders worldwide. With a diverse cohort of 20 fellows, it offers a blend of seminars, workshops, and self-directed experiments in moral leadership. Fellows engage in personal, organizational, and systemic levels of change within food systems. The fellowship is open to individuals from various backgrounds, including social entrepreneurs, organizational builders, and public sector leaders working in the food systems space for at least five years. The program covers all related expenses. Fellows remain at their current jobs but will participate in a mix of virtual and in-person seminars and workshops.
6. The Bon Appétit Fellowship Program
The Bon Appétit Fellowship is a unique opportunity for recent college graduates passionate about food systems advocacy. As full-time employees for one to two years, Fellows immerse themselves in Bon Appétit’s vision of sustainable food service, engaging campus communities through educational events and sustainability programs. They conduct research projects, create best practice guides, and develop innovative programs to address critical food system issues. People of color are strongly encouraged to apply and bring diverse perspectives to the fellowship. Applications are accepted from mid-November to January for a one-year program, with the option to renew for a second year.
7. Community Food Systems Fellowship
The Community Food Systems Fellowship, a dynamic 18-month leadership program initiated by Vital Village Networks at Boston Medical Center, is designed to cultivate a diverse cadre of local food system leaders dedicated to advancing food justice and equity. Through immersive community design labs, monthly learning sessions, and personalized technical assistance, fellows enhance their skills, expand their networks, and deepen their understanding of participatory engagement and human-centered design approaches. This transformative experience offers a stipend and the opportunity to apply for project innovation grants of up to $5,000, empowering fellows to drive meaningful change and foster collaborative leadership within their communities.
8. Transforming Food Systems Fellowship Program
This Cornell fellowship works to create sustainable, health-promoting, and equitable food systems. Participants engage in real-world opportunities through mentorship from interdisciplinary faculty. Three fellows are awarded $18,500 stipends and tuition support of $22,000 for the Master of Public Health program. The program typically lasts 2 years. Applicants must be accepted to Cornell and belong to one of the following categories: underrepresented, underserved, first-generation, or low-income. Financial support is given through the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s National Needs Fellowship Program.
9. The Food Leaders Fellowship
The Food Leaders Fellowship, curated by Food & Society, is an 18-month transformative journey aimed at empowering early-stage food system leaders to drive scalable change and foster cross-sector collaboration. Rooted in the Aspen Institute’s leadership and policy fellowship legacy, this program brings together emerging leaders committed to building a fair, sustainable, and healthy food system. Through immersive seminars, mentorship from industry practitioners, and peer support, fellows develop action plans that sharpen their goals and deepen their impact. The fellowship offers unique opportunities for personal reflection, knowledge sharing, and real-world experiential learning, culminating in a lifelong community of changemakers dedicated to creating meaningful change in the food industry and beyond.
10. Castanea Fellowship Program
The Castanea Fellowship seeks passionate leaders poised to elevate their impact on creating a healthier, more equitable, and sustainable food system. The two-year program offers invaluable opportunities for growth and collaboration, designed for seasoned visionaries committed to racial equity and diversity. Fellows engage in immersive experiences, including in-person gatherings, international learning, and mentorship, while receiving financial support totaling $40,000. Ideal candidates demonstrate impactful leadership, embrace intersectionality, and are dedicated to continuous learning within a diverse and inclusive community. The fellowship convenes a dynamic cohort of leaders spanning diverse sectors united in their mission to drive meaningful change across the food system landscape.
Are you interested in finding even more fellowships? Sign up for the ProFellow database, which includes more than 2,700 funded opportunities for professional development and graduate school.
© 2024 ProFellow, LLC. All rights reserved.