Application Guide

How to Apply for Fellowship, Leadership Academy (Summer 2026)

at New Roots Institute

🏢 About New Roots Institute

New Roots Institute stands out as a nonprofit that uniquely combines education with direct advocacy to combat factory farming, focusing on its interconnected impacts on animals, people, and the environment. Working here offers the chance to join a mission-driven team that empowers individuals to create tangible change through evidence-based campaigns and community building.

About This Role

This six-week summer fellowship immerses you in the systemic issues of industrial animal agriculture through seminars and discussions, while developing practical leadership skills to design and launch your own advocacy campaign. It's impactful because it transforms interest into actionable expertise, equipping you to influence attitudes and policies directly.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with a virtual core seminar on factory farming's environmental impacts, followed by a guided discussion with peers to deepen understanding. In the afternoon, you could attend an interactive leadership workshop on campaign strategy, then spend time independently researching and planning your advocacy project, with opportunities for feedback from experts.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who New Roots Institute Is Looking For

  • Demonstrates a genuine passion for animal welfare, environmental justice, or food systems reform, with examples of prior engagement (e.g., volunteering, coursework, or personal advocacy).
  • Shows curiosity and openness to learning through structured education, such as by referencing relevant books, documentaries, or current events about factory farming impacts.
  • Exhibits collaborative and initiative-driven traits, ideally with experience in group projects, workshops, or campaign planning, even at a small scale.
  • Possesses basic organizational and communication skills to independently manage a campaign timeline, from research to launch, within the fellowship framework.

📝 Tips for Applying to New Roots Institute

1

Highlight any prior involvement with animal advocacy, environmental clubs, or related academic projects to show alignment with New Roots Institute's mission.

2

In your resume or essays, detail a specific instance where you educated others or took action on an issue, as this mirrors the fellowship's focus on advocacy campaigns.

3

Mention familiarity with New Roots Institute's resources, such as their website content or public campaigns, to demonstrate genuine interest in their approach.

4

Emphasize your willingness to engage in remote collaboration and self-directed learning, since the role is remote and involves structured seminars.

5

Avoid generic environmentalism; instead, tailor your application to factory farming's specific impacts on climate, health, or ethics, as covered in their core seminars.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Express a clear, personal motivation for challenging industrial animal agriculture, linking it to your values or experiences.', "Describe how you've previously developed skills in workshops or group discussions, and how you'll apply them to the fellowship's interactive components.", "Outline a brief idea or interest for an advocacy campaign, showing initiative and alignment with New Roots Institute's goals.", 'Explain why the remote, educational structure of this fellowship fits your learning style and career aspirations in advocacy or leadership.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Explore New Roots Institute's website, focusing on their core programs, past campaigns, and educational materials to understand their methods.
  • → Review recent news or reports on factory farming's impacts (e.g., from sources like FAO or animal welfare groups) to discuss knowledgeably in applications.
  • → Look into the backgrounds of New Roots Institute's team or fellows to see common themes in their advocacy work and leadership development.
  • → Familiarize yourself with key terms and debates in industrial animal agriculture, such as regenerative farming alternatives or policy initiatives like the Farm System Reform Act.
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Discuss a current issue related to factory farming (e.g., its environmental impact or animal welfare laws) and how you'd address it in a campaign.
2 Describe a time you participated in a seminar or workshop that changed your perspective, and how you applied that learning.
3 Explain how you would plan and launch a short-term advocacy campaign, including steps for research, outreach, and evaluation.
4 Share your thoughts on New Roots Institute's specific educational approach and how it compares to other advocacy organizations.
5 Talk about a leadership challenge you've faced in a collaborative setting and how you resolved it, relating it to the fellowship's workshops.
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic application that doesn't mention factory farming or New Roots Institute by name, showing lack of tailored interest.
  • Overemphasizing unrelated experience without connecting it to advocacy, education, or leadership skills required for the role.
  • Failing to demonstrate a proactive attitude; for example, not suggesting any campaign ideas or showing how you'd engage with the fellowship's remote structure.

📅 Application Timeline

⏰ Deadline: May 13, 2026

We recommend applying at least a few days early to avoid last-minute technical issues.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to New Roots Institute!

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