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Applications Open in January 2027!

We were always looking out for each other. It was beautiful, and it’s the way I grew up - when you live on an island with limited resources, you have no choice but to learn to lean into each other. Within our cohort, we had that. There isn’t one fellow that I wouldn't invite into my home.
Malia Chun, 2025-2026

The Castanea Fellowship looks for dedicated leaders ready to deepen the impact of their vision to build a healthier, more equitable, and sustainable food system. The Fellowship is for engaged leaders who are already equipped with a deep understanding of how the food system could shift in a meaningful way and have had considerable impact, yet know they could do much more. The leaders we seek are those who have demonstrated commitment to the work, understand racial equity, believe in the power of diversity, and welcome collaboration.

The Castanea Fellowship is a 18-month, awarded program that provides fellows the space, time, and resources to grow skills, connections, and community. We aim to further the work of established leaders from across the country and provide them with unique learning and skill-building opportunities.

The Castanea Fellowship Experience

  • Space to build relationship and deep connection with other food justice leaders through intentional restorative spaces.
  • Three in-person gatherings to build and learn as a cohort and benefit from diverse regional perspectives and tactics.
  • Virtual programming to support emergent topics and points of collaboration; may include training in communication, finance, leadership development, organizing, and policy, among other topics.
  • Space to explore leadership challenges and growth edges, and engage in transformative practices.
  • $30,000 award to support the work and participation of Fellows.

Application Process

Applications will open in January 2027! Check back soon.

In the meantime, please review our Frequently Asked Questions for more information.

Application Milestones

The application timeline is below. Dates are subject to change based on volume of applications. 

Application Open
August 1, 2023
Information Webinar
August 25, 2023
Application Deadline
September 16, 2023
Application Review Process
Sep-Jan, 2023
Application Notified of Status
Jan 16, 2024
Deadline for Acceptance
Jan 23, 2024
Kickoff Gathering (online)
Jan/Feb, 2024
Fellows Announced Externally
February, 2024
First In-Person Gathering
Spring, 2024

Eligibility and Criteria

Who Are We Looking For?

We welcome established visionaries who:

  • Align with our values of racial equity, diversity, and impact.
  • Lead their field and have already demonstrated inspiring results.
  • Have experience working with communities or populations across a range of physical and cultural geographies.
  • Believe that food system change involves a multi-sector and multi-strategy approach.
  • Welcome being part of a diverse, robust, multiracial cohort.
  • Want to deepen skills in communication, finances, organizing, and/or policy.
  • Understand intersectionality of race, gender, class, ability, environmental, and health issues.
  • See themselves as constant learners and seek to be in a learning community.
  • Can commit to devoting the necessary time to be fully engaged in the fellowship.
  • Reside within the United States.

SUPPORT THE CASTANEA FELLOWSHIP

Join the numerous foundations, nonprofit, and business leaders in this multi-sector collaborative committed to shaping an equitable future for food. Grants, gifts, and individual donations are welcome.

Learn More