The Environmental Leadership Program (ELP) is delighted to invite applications for the ELP Fellowship Class of 2002-2004.

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

The ELP Fellowship is an innovative national program designed to build the leadership capacity of the environmental field’s most promising emerging professionals. We define emerging professionals as practitioners who are 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 three-year fellowship offers unique networking opportunities, intensive leadership and skills training, project seed money, technical assistance, and mentoring. Fellows receive a $2,000 participation stipend; travel and accommodations for four training retreats; access to funding for capacity building leadership activities; and national recognition through the program. The ELP Fellowship provides an opportunity for talented individuals to have a unique and substantial impact on the environmental movement through collaboration with other emerging leaders.

Applicants for the ELP Fellowship must commit to participating in four retreats over three years -- two retreats in the first year and one retreat in the summer of each subsequent year. In 2002, retreats will be held April 3-7, 2002 at the Trinity Conference Center in West Cornwall, CT, and August 14-18, 2002 at Sleeping Lady Retreat Center in Leavenworth, WA. Participation in all ELP retreats -- in their entirety -- is a mandatory component of the fellowship. ELP pays all retreat travel and accommodation costs. In addition, each fellow conducts a leadership building project 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 full-time jobs or studies.

Applicants are evaluated on the basis of the accomplishments, background, and professional progress as shown in their resume or c.v.; 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.

Applications must be mailed to the ELP Fellowship Office, and postmarked by Monday, October 1, 2001. Each application will be reviewed by the ELP Fellowship Selection Committee that is composed of professionals from diverse disciplines, backgrounds, and institutions. Final decisions will be made and all applicants will be notified by December 21, 2001.