ELP Fellowships offer intensive leadership and skills training, time for personal and professional reflection, and the opportunity to learn and collaborate with regional and national networks. Through immersive retreats, emerging leaders hone their leadership styles, improve their strategy and organizational development skills, and strengthen their capacity to work with diverse constituencies. With the assistance of peer learning and ELP staff support, each Fellow develops a Personal Leadership Plan.

But if you don't want to take our word for it, you can check out these testimonials from recent program participants...

Eastern Photo

“The experience was exhilarating, inspirational, motivating, and exciting. Nudging me to mildly uncomfortable places facilitated great introspection, growth, and “a-ha” moments. The facilitators are an excellent team. I’d wish every human being to be lucky enough to undergo this experience." - 2016 Fellow

REQUIRED RETREAT DATES for 2023

  • Retreat 1:   September 7-10, 2023 at Pendle Hill**, Wallingford, PA 
  • Retreat 2:   November 2-3 & November 11-12, 2023 (Virtual) 
  • Retreat 3:   January 18-21, 2024 at Pendle Hill**, Wallingford, PA 

**ELP has adopted a COVID-19 policy requiring all staff, facilitators, and participants to be vaccinated unless a medical or religious exception is approved. We will also require you to provide proof of vaccination.

COST

The actual cost of this program is approximately $3,500 per participant. However, due to the generosity of grant partners that support some of our costs, the 2023 Eastern Regional Network Fellowship participation fee is $2,000. Needs based scholarships and those that prioritize BIPOC applicants are available and can be applied for in your application.  Fellows may choose to pay their tuition in full at the time of being selected or through a payment schedule. To learn more about creative payment options click here. 

This program includes:

  • Participation in 12 days of virtual/in-person hybrid training, community building, coaching, and peer coaching
  • Training materials (digital and hard copies)
  • “Welcome Box” filled with supplies, snacks, and other retreat essentials
  • A 360 degree leadership assessment
  • Membership in ELP's network of over 1400 Senior Fellows  - a lifelong learning community of professional and personal development, collaboration, and impact

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Applications are due by 11:59 pm (EST) Monday, June 26, 2023 

Fellowship Timline

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

We're glad you're thinking of applying to an ELP Fellowship and we've tried to make it as simple as possible for you. There are three pieces to the online application process that you can complete from the application page.

1. Fill out the short application survey. This should require only 2-3 minutes to complete.

2.  Your resume. Once you have completed the application survey, you will be emailed a personalized link where you can upload your resume. Please attach your resume as a PDF or Word doc.

3. Short essay answer. Along with your resume, you will be prompted to attach a short response to the following question: "What is the most significant leadership challenge that you are personally facing, either current or something that you see on the horizon?" (500 words maximum)

ELIGIBILITY

All applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Work or reside in NY, NJ, PA, DE;
  • Have at least three years of work experience or are enrolled in graduate-level academic studies related to environmental or social change issues, broadly defined; and
  • The ability to participate in all 3 retreats, complete all assignments in a timely manner, and the desire to remain an active member of the ELP Senior Fellows Network after the conclusion of the year-long Fellowship.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

In addition to the above, applicants will be evaluated on the basis of their:

  • Passion to respond to social and environmental challenges;
  • Leadership capacity (i.e have been willing and able to take “responsibility for helping people achieve shared purpose”);
  • The nature of their work or area of expertise. Attention will be given to the applicant's accomplishments, background, and professional progress as shown in their resume and the clarity, breadth, and thoughtfulness of responses to the narrative questions in the application and in the interview;
  • Eagerness to connect with and learn from others; willingness to actively contribute to the program as well as take advantage of its benefits;
  • Commitment to the values of diversity, equity, and justice within the environmental and social change fields; commitment to working with diverse constituencies;
  • Awareness of the interdependence of environmental and social problems; ability to convey a coherent vision for environmental progress and interest in how their work fits in with the big picture; and their
  • Ability to clearly articulate how participating in this leadership program will further their personal and professional development.

Particular attention will be given to the applicant's accomplishments, background, and professional progress as shown in their resume and the clarity, breadth, and thoughtfulness of responses to the narrative questions in the application.

INTERVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS OVERVIEW

  • Applications are reviewed by a selection team of ELP Senior Fellows (alumni of ELP fellowships) and staff.
  • Interviews: a subset of applicants are interviewed in the 3 weeks following the application deadline. Interviews are conducted over the phone and are approximately 30 minutes long. Interviews are also an opportunity for applicants to ask any questions about the program and the Senior Fellow community.
  • Selection process:  Our selection teams review the applicant's accomplishments, background, and professional progress as shown in their resume. We also focus on the clarity, breadth, and thoughtfulness of responses to the narrative question in the application and the phone interview. We aim to select the best cohort for each program - which means giving attention to the diversity and balance of the class - in terms of work (sector, issue), identities (gender, ethnicity, etc.) and personalities.
  • Notification: Following the selection of the class (usually 4 weeks following the application deadline), applicants are notified of their status via a phone call and/or email. An applicant is either invited into the program (in which case they are expected to confirm within 48 hours), wait-listed, or invited to apply for another program.

On the fence about applying? Check out 7 Reasons to Apply for an ELP Fellowship.

For more information about the Eastern Regional Fellowship, contact CorePrograms@elpnet.org.