Fellow Application: Emerson National Hunger Fellowship Program 32nd Class

Fellow Application: Emerson National Hunger Fellowship Program

32nd Class | 2025-2026

Thank you for your interest in the Emerson National Hunger Fellowship Program.

PROGRAM BROCHURE: If you haven't read through the application brochure yet, please do so now by clicking this link: https://hungercenter.org/what-we-do/emerson-fellowship/fellows/

Before proceeding with this application, it is important to note, that this Form does not save before submission. None of your progress will be automatically saved, so it is recommended that you complete the questions on a separate document and complete the webform in one sitting. This PDF displays all questions you should assemble before beginning.

DEADLINE: Applications for the 32nd class of Bill Emerson National Hunger Fellows must be submitted by midnight EST, Friday, January 17, 2025.

Basic Information

Are you applying for the Zero Hunger Internship Program?*

NOTE: If you are submitting an application for each program (ZHI and Emerson) you will be considered for each one.

Yes

Were you a Zero Hunger Intern?*

Yes

What year did you complete the Zero Hunger Internship Program?

Are you applying to the Leland Fellowship?

Yes

N/A

Applicant Email*

First Name*

Last Name*

Please list the number in which it is easiest to reach you.*

Phone

Street Address*

City/Town*

Postal Code*

Country*

Select or enter value

State*

Select or enter value

Province

LinkedIn Profile

Pronouns*

She/Her/Hers

He/Him/His

They/Them/Theirs

Prefer to self describe

If prefer to self-describe is selected:

Birthday*

Eligibility

Are you a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident?*

Because the Emerson Fellowship is funded primarily by the US government to support the development of future US leaders (per federal authorization), the program is only open to US citizens and permanent legal residents.

Applicants who have received Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) through the US Department of Homeland Security are not eligible to serve as Hunger Fellows at this time.

Yes

Thank you!

Unfortunately, you are not eligible to apply. Thank you so much for your interest in the Emerson Program.

Per Public Law 110-246, Emerson Fellows are not employees of the Congressional Hunger Center nor their host organizations; instead, fellows are classified as 1099 contractors. As a contractor, you will be subject to self-employment taxes and responsible for securing your own health insurance.*

If you have not worked as a contractor and managed self-employment taxes before, we strongly recommend researching your contractor responsibilities under the law before submitting your fellowship application. We suggest starting with this information from the Internal Revenue Service.

Do you understand that as a contractor you will be subject to self-employment taxes and responsible for securing your own health insurance?

Yes

Thank you

Unfortunately, you are not eligible to proceed. Applicants must understand and acknowledge that Hunger Fellows serve as independent contractors. Thank you so much for your interest in the Emerson Program.

Hometown Information

Hometown City*

Hometown State*

Hometown Country*

Education

College/University*

College/University City*

College/University State*

Year of graduation *

Headline

In 20 words or less, tell us what motivates you to apply for the Emerson Program.*

Skills and Experience

Briefly describe how you have used coalition building as a skill.*

Briefly describe how you have used communications as a skill.*

Briefly describe how you have used event planning as a skill.*

Briefly describe how you have used organizing as a skill.*

Briefly describe how you have used outreach as a skill.*

Briefly describe how you have used program development as a skill.*

Briefly describe how you have used program evaluation as a skill.*

Briefly describe how you have used qualitative data analysis as a skill.*

Briefly describe how you have used training as a skill.*

Briefly describe how you have used writing for an academic audience as a skill.*

Briefly describe how you have used writing for a policy audience as a skill.*

Language Skills

Do you speak Spanish?*

Yes

If you answered yes to the question above, please rate your proficiency.

ILR Scale for your analysis: https://congressionalhungercenter.app.box.com/file/728143804209?s=q7k95p831tvonbjp9s04r0g830l412ap

Optional Information

The Hunger Center does not discriminate on the basis of gender identity or gender expression, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or economic status.

In order to track the effectiveness of our recruiting efforts and ensure we consider the needs of all our Hunger Fellows, please consider the following optional questions.

If prefer to self-describe is selected.*

If I prefer to self-describe is selected.

I am a first-generation college student.

Yes

I prefer not to say

I have personal experience receiving SNAP, school meals (reduced-price meals), WIC, or other nutrition programs.

Yes

I prefer not to say

I have lived experience with poverty or food insecurity.

Yes

I prefer not to say

I identify as someone from a low-income background.

Yes

I prefer not to say

Additional Information

I have applied to the Emerson Program before.*

Yes

If other is selected

Are you interested in receiving email updates from the Congressional Hunger Center?

Yes

Resume, Personal Statement, and Short Essay Questions

Please provide a personal statement and responses to the short essay questions per the instructions below. Do not exceed the page limits.

A completed application consists of ONE PDF document, three pages in length, that includes:

Page 1: A one-page resume;
Page 2: A one-page personal statement; and
Page 3: A one-page response to the short essay questions.

Please give your document the filename: Last name_First name_Middle initial and upload the file below.

Upload File Here*

Resume: Please include a one-page resume. Make sure your resume includes your email address and phone number.

Personal Statement: Prepare a one-page, single-spaced personal statement that addresses each of the following questions:

What values, principles, and identities (race, class, gender, etc.) shape your interest in the Bill Emerson Hunger Fellowship Program?
What qualities, knowledge, experiences, and skills will you contribute to your potential field and policy placements?
How do you expect this fellowship to contribute to your professional goals?

Short Essay Questions: Prepare a one-page response to the short essay questions below. Your response for each question should be single-spaced and a half-page in length.

Describe how your life experiences and community work have influenced your perspective on issues of hunger and poverty in the United States?
Explain the role you believe the government plays or should play in addressing complex social problems such as hunger, poverty, and systemic racism?

Drag and drop files here or

Submit Your Application

Are you ready to submit your completed application? If yes, please select yes below.*

Yes

Send me a copy of my responses

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