National Environment Leadership Fellowship

About the RCC National Environment Leadership Fellowship (NELF) Program 

Application Window: January 26th, 2026– April 17th, 2026

The RCC National Environment Leadership Fellowship (NELF) Program is designed to identify outstanding students with a passion for environmental education, organizing, and advocacy, and provide them with financial support to carry out valuable projects and campaigns on behalf of the RCC.

To apply to the program, students propose projects focused on sustainability and environmental justice to be carried out on their campuses and in their communities. Individuals considering applying to the program may consider a wide variety of potential projects. Former fellows have run projects ranging from policy/advocacy focuses to environmental restoration action and creative campaigns, including podcasts and poetry.

Special consideration will be given to fellows applying in areas where the Rachel Carson Council has ongoing campaigns or work. These include, but are not limited to: opposition to woody biomass, divestment, renewable energy, particularly solar energy, and environmental justice issues. For more information about RCC’s work, please visit our website.

RCC Fellows become nationally recognized environmental youth leaders. If accepted into the program, Fellows will become active members of the RCC national campus program, which has thousands of active faculty, students, staff, and administrators at more than 90campuses. They will also benefit from the mentorship of Dr. Robert K. Musil, a longtime national climate and environmental advocate, expert, author, CEO, and President, as well as RCC senior staff.

RCC Fellows selected for the 2026-2027 cohort will also benefit from attending a tuition-free, board-free, in-person RCC American Environmental Leadership Institute (AELI) from July 19-23, 2026. The AELI will be held in Washington, DC, bringing together national environmental leaders, elected officials, collegiate organizers, and members of the RCC Fellowship Program to provide mentorship and discuss ongoing efforts at the federal, state, local, and campus levels to address the numerous environmental challenges we face today. 

How it works

Upon successfully developing a project proposal and being accepted into the Fellowship cohort, all fellows will attend the 2026 Summer RCC American Environmental Leadership Institute (AELI), taking place from July 19-23, 2026. There, Fellows will develop project plans for the upcoming year, participate in workshops to hone their leadership, writing, advocacy, and organizing skills, and meet their cohort while also networking and learning from RCC senior staff and national environmental leaders on the RCC National Advisory Council.

Following the completion of the fellowship workshops, RCC Fellows will return to their campuses and begin their work for the 2026–2027 academic year. Throughout the year, RCC Fellows will participate in mentorship calls with RCC staff and other members of the fellowship cohort to collaborate on and refine their projects.

During the year, Fellows will have the opportunity to publish writings about their work for the RCC to be shared on the RCC website and distributed through RCC networks and social media. Each Fellow will be responsible for monthly deliverables, including photo essays (blogs), which will be nationally published. Fellows’ writing may grow out of their projects or campaigns, but may also include other issues relevant to the work of RCC. A critical component of the fellowship program, fellows will be able to hone their writing over the course of the year and receive mentorship on their work.

RCC Fellows will also develop critical contacts and gain valuable experience, and upon completion of their term, join the RCC alumni network as they look forward to careers as engaged environmental leaders.                                            

Fellows should expect to work on their project or campaign each week over the course of their fellowship, carry out 7-10 advocacy hours per semester (presenting about your project in classes, attending RCC webinars and events), as well as promote the RCC and encourage RCC membership and participation in its events and actions by students and faculty.

All RCC Fellows receive a $2,000 stipend distributed throughout the academic year.

About the Application

Project proposal:

In three pages or less, double-spaced, describe your project or campaign that relates to environmental justice, ocean and coastal advocacy, anti-fossil fuels, biomass, renewable energy, food ins