FoodHaus Fellowship for Action 2026–2027: Fully Immersive 9-Month Global Fellowship Empowering Changemakers to Transform Food Systems @2027: Fully Immersive 9-Month Global Fellowship Empowering Changemakers to Transform Food Systems

Applications are now open for the second cohort of the FoodHaus Fellowship for Action, a transformative 9-month fellowship designed for individuals committed to creating a more just, sustainable, and resilient food system. The program brings together passionate changemakers from diverse professional backgrounds and equips them with the knowledge, leadership skills, networks, and practical tools needed to turn innovative ideas into meaningful action.

Hosted by FoodHaus, the Fellowship for Action offers participants a unique opportunity to deepen their understanding of food systems while developing real-world projects and interventions that address pressing challenges in food production, distribution, accessibility, sustainability, and community well-being.

Whether you are a farmer, chef, scientist, artist, educator, social entrepreneur, policymaker, activist, social worker, development professional, or simply someone passionate about food systems transformation, this fellowship provides a supportive environment to learn, collaborate, and lead impactful change.

Early Bird and Scholarship Deadline

Application Deadline for Early Bird Registration and Scholarship Consideration: July 1, 2026

Interested applicants are encouraged to submit their applications before the deadline to maximize their chances of securing available scholarship support.

About the FoodHaus Fellowship for Action

The FoodHaus Fellowship for Action is specifically designed for individuals who believe that food can serve as a powerful catalyst for social, environmental, and economic transformation.

Over a period of nine months, fellows will participate in an immersive learning journey that combines:

• Systems thinking
• Collaborative leadership development
• Personal growth and self-awareness
• Practical project design and implementation
• Community engagement
• International peer learning

The fellowship recognizes that creating meaningful change within food systems requires more than technical knowledge. It also demands strong leadership, relationship-building skills, personal resilience, and the ability to work collaboratively across sectors and cultures.

Through a carefully structured curriculum, participants will explore food systems challenges, identify leverage points for change, and design initiatives capable of generating lasting impact within their communities, organizations, or regions.

Program Duration

The fellowship runs from:

October 2026 to August 2027

During this period, fellows will engage in a variety of online and in-person learning experiences that support both personal and professional development.

What Fellows Will Experience

1. Weekly Online Learning Sessions

Participants will take part in regular virtual sessions throughout the fellowship period. These sessions provide opportunities to:

• Explore complex food system challenges
• Learn systems-thinking methodologies
• Participate in collaborative discussions
• Develop leadership capabilities
• Share experiences with fellow changemakers
• Receive guidance from experts and mentors

The online format allows participants from different parts of the world to engage consistently while maintaining their existing professional and community commitments.

2. Personal Coaching Support

One of the distinctive features of the fellowship is individualized coaching.

Participants will receive personal coaching that helps them:

• Clarify their goals and vision
• Navigate challenges and uncertainties
• Strengthen leadership capacity
• Build confidence in their change-making journey
• Maintain momentum throughout the program

This personalized support ensures that each fellow can develop their unique pathway toward impact.

3. Two In-Person Intensive Gatherings in Switzerland

The fellowship includes two immersive residential experiences held on a biodynamic farm in Switzerland.

These in-person intensives provide opportunities to:

• Build meaningful relationships with fellow participants
• Engage in hands-on learning experiences
• Deepen personal reflection and leadership development
• Explore regenerative and biodynamic agricultural practices
• Strengthen collaborative project work
• Connect theory with practice in a real-world setting

The residential format creates a powerful environment for community-building and transformative learning.

4. Access to a Global Community

Fellows become part of an international network of:

• Mentors
• Practitioners
• Food systems innovators
• Project collaborators
• Social entrepreneurs
• Community leaders
• Alumni

This global community creates opportunities for long-term partnerships, collaboration, knowledge sharing, and continued impact beyond the fellowship period.

Who Should Apply?

The Fellowship for Action is ideal for individuals who:

• Want to deepen their understanding of food systems and move toward action.
• Seek clarity about their role in driving food systems transformation.
• Have an idea, initiative, project, or intervention they want to develop further.
• Value personal growth alongside professional development.
• Believe collaboration is essential for creating systemic change.
• Are excited to learn from people with diverse cultural and professional backgrounds.
• Want to create positive impact within their organizations, communities, or regions.

Applicants do not need to come from a traditional food-sector background to participate.

Benefits of the FoodHaus Fellowship for Action

Participants will gain access to numerous benefits, including:

Leadership Development

• Strengthen collaborative leadership skills.
• Develop confidence as a changemaker.
• Learn how to navigate complexity and uncertainty.

Food Systems Understanding

• Build a deeper understanding of interconnected food systems.
• Identify leverage points for meaningful intervention.
• Explore sustainable and regenerative approaches.

Project Development

• Transform ideas into actionable initiatives.
• Receive structured guidance throughout the design process.
• Develop strategies for implementation and impact.

International Network

• Join a diverse cohort of global changemakers.
• Build relationships across sectors and disciplines.
• Access future collaboration opportunities.

Personal Growth

• Increase self-awareness and resilience.
• Clarify personal values and purpose.
• Develop relational skills necessary for long-term change.

Diverse Backgrounds Welcome

FoodHaus intentionally welcomes participants from a broad range of professional and lived experiences.

Potential participants may include:

• Social entrepreneurs
• Farmers
• Chefs
• Policymakers
• Artists and creatives
• Educators
• Activists
• Scientists
• Community organizers
• Social workers
• Development practitioners
• Nonprofit professionals
• Public sector professionals
• Students and emerging leaders

The fellowship values diversity of perspective and encourages applications from anyone committed to advancing a more equitable and sustainable food future.

Scholarship Opportunities

To increase accessibility and participation, FoodHaus is offering a limited number of scholarships for selected participants.

Applicants seeking financial support should ensure they submit their applications before the scholarship deadline.

Why This Fellowship Matters

Food systems influence nearly every aspect of society, including health, climate resilience, economic opportunity, social justice, biodiversity, and community well-being.

Addressing these interconnected challenges requires leaders who can think systemically, collaborate effectively, and take meaningful action.

The FoodHaus Fellowship for Action aims to cultivate exactly these kinds of leaders by combining practical learning, personal transformation, global collaboration, and real-world impact.

For individuals passionate about creating positive change through food, this fellowship represents an exceptional opportunity to develop the skills, networks, and confidence needed to move from vision to action.

Click here for more and to apply

Final Thoughts

The FoodHaus Fellowship for Action 2026–2027 offers an exceptional platform for changemakers who believe food can be a powerful driver of social and environmental transformation. Through systems thinking, leadership development, coaching, global networking, and hands-on learning experiences in Switzerland, participants will gain the tools and support necessary to create meaningful and lasting change.

If you are ready to turn your vision into action and contribute to a more just and sustainable food system, this fellowship could be the ideal next step in your leadership journey.

Click here for more global fellowship opportunities