Environmental Leadership Program
2004–2005 Fellowships
Submission Deadline: October 1, 2003

The Environmental Leadership Program (ELP) invites applications for the ELP Fellowship Class of 2004–2005.

ELP is a non-profit organization that seeks to transform public understanding of environmental issues by training and supporting a diverse network of visionary, action-oriented emerging leaders. Through its fellowship program, ELP provides training and project support to 20­25 talented individuals each year from nonprofits, business, government, and higher education. ELP is committed to fostering a reflective, diverse community of environmental leaders capable of responding to our complex social and environmental challenges.

Fellowship Details
The ELP Fellowship is an innovative national program designed to build the leadership capacity of the environmental field's most promising emerging practitioners. We define emerging leaders as those relatively new to the environmental field with approximately three to ten years of experience. Each year, a new class of fellows is chosen to join a select group of environmental professionals from diverse backgrounds, sectors, and areas of expertise. The two-year fellowship offers unique networking opportunities, intensive leadership and skills training, time for personal and professional reflection, project seed money, support, and mentoring. Fellows receive travel and accommodations for four fellowship retreats; access to funding for leadership-building projects; and national recognition through the program. The ELP Fellowship provides an opportunity for talented individuals to have a unique and substantial impact on public affairs through collaboration with other emerging leaders.

Required Commitments
Applicants for the ELP Fellowship must commit to participating in four retreats over two years—one in the spring and one in the summer of each year. In 2004, the spring retreat will be held from March 17–21 at the Trinity Conference Center in northwestern Connecticut and the summer retreat will be held in early August (date and location TBA). Participation in all four ELP retreats—in their entirety—is a mandatory component of the fellowship. ELP pays all retreat travel and accommodation costs. In addition, each fellow has the opportunity to conduct a leadership building project of their design with support from the ELP Activity Fund. While fellows must participate in fellowship activities throughout the year and complete periodic assignments, they are expected to continue their professional jobs or studies. Some applicants may find it helpful to discuss ELP and their anticipated commitments with employers to ensure they are able to meet the requirements of the fellowship.

Becoming A Fellow

Who Should Apply?
The ELP Fellowship targets newly established environmental practitioners eager to connect their specialized work to larger environmental and social concerns.

1. Applicants should be relatively new to the environmental field with approximately three to ten years of professional experience or post-undergraduate academic studies.
2. ELP promotes diversity of race and ethnicity, gender, sector, professional background, and issue expertise in the environmental field. In choosing each class of fellows, ELP seeks individuals from across these broad spectrums.
3. Demonstrated talent as a practitioner or scholar is a prerequisite. Participants will be evaluated on the basis of past accomplishments, promise for future leadership, and potential as interdisciplinary thinkers and effective communicators.
4. Successful applicants will be able to articulate a clear understanding of how their specialized work fits into complex social, economic, and environmental issues.
5. Applicants must be residents of the United States or its territories.
   

How will applicants be evaluated?
Applicants are evaluated on the basis of the accomplishments, background, and professional progress as shown in their resume or CV.; the recommendations of colleagues who have worked closely with the applicant; and the clarity, breadth, and thoughtfulness of responses to the narrative questions in the fellowship application.

ELP also evaluates applicants' leadership potential; originality of ideas; ability to convey a persuasive, coherent vision for environmental progress; and ability to reach key constituencies and work across disciplines and issues. Successful applicants will also clearly articulate the utility of the fellowship to their personal and professional development.

Selection Process
Applications must be mailed to the ELP Fellowship Office, and postmarked by October 1, 2003. Each application will be reviewed by the ELP Fellowship Selection Committee that is composed of professionals from diverse disciplines, backgrounds, and institutions. All applicants will be notified of the Selection Committee's final decisions by mid-December.

To access application materials, contact information, and additional details relating to this fellowship, visit the ELP website.