Rooted Futures Lab EJIT Fellowship 2026: Fully Funded Remote Opportunity for Young Leaders
Imagine leading a project that tackles environmental harm from tech like data centers, all from your home computer. The Rooted Futures Lab Environmental Justice & Technology Fellowship 2026 offers this chance. It’s a fully funded, remote summer program for young leaders who want to blend tech skills with fights for fair treatment of people and the planet.
About Rooted Futures Lab
Rooted Futures Lab works to fix how technology often ignores environmental justice. This means they push for tech that helps people and the Earth, especially those in overlooked communities. They draw ideas from Dr. Robert Bullard, a leader in environmental justice, and “histofuturism,” which mixes lessons from history with plans for a better future. The group focuses on teaching, research, and real action to change tech design worldwide.
Fellowship Overview
This 12-week program runs from June 15 to September 4, 2026. Fellows commit about 20 hours a week, with flexible schedules. It’s fully remote, pays a $3,000 USD stipend, and accepts applications until April 30, 2026. Reviews happen on a rolling basis, with decisions in three weeks after the deadline. You lead your own project at the crossroads of tech, infrastructure, and environmental justice.
The Four Fellowship Tracks
The 2026 group has four tracks. Each lets you dive into a key area with hands-on work.
Data Centers & Environmental Justice – Creative Technologist Fellow
This track looks at the hidden costs of data centers, like energy use and pollution. You design a research project using tools such as machine learning or remote sensing. Your work creates datasets, models, or reports for a Data Center Impact Dashboard. You also make findings easy to see with charts or tools. It’s perfect if you have tech skills and care about data-driven change.
Data Centers & Environmental Justice – Investigative Storyteller Fellow
Here, you investigate issues like land loss, water use, or noise from data centers. You turn facts into stories through writing, videos, or art. Your narratives help others grasp big problems. You add to the Data Center Impact Dashboard too. This fits writers, artists, or anyone good at sharing complex ideas simply.
Study Hall – Democratic Governance & Collective Systems Fellow
This track builds fair ways for groups to make decisions, like using sociocracy. You research these systems and create tools for communities. You help student groups apply them and write guides or toolkits. It has reached over 130 students before and now grows as a full fellowship. Join if you like organizing or group design.
GLITCH Zine – Editor & Strategist Fellow
You shape a creative magazine called GLITCH. Set the theme, edit stories, find writers, and plan print and online versions. You also build partnerships and grow readers. It includes saving old issues for archives. This suits editors or planners with creative experience.
How the Fellowship Works
All fellows work on their own but join weekly check-ins, especially at first. You get advice from mentors and team up across skills. Expect to handle timelines, solve open problems, and make real outputs like reports or tools.
What Support You Get
The program provides a team of experts in tech, writing, and strategy. You join a global group of fellows with shared tools. Mentors give feedback, and you collaborate with developers or researchers.
Who Can Apply
You need good English skills, the ability to work alone, and interest in environmental justice or tech. Tracks may want skills like data science, journalism, or organizing. But non-tech people and mixed backgrounds are welcome too.
Diversity and Inclusion
Rooted Futures Lab welcomes all genders, races, ages, and backgrounds. They urge applications from marginalized groups.
How to Apply
Fill an online form with your name, email, location, LinkedIn, CV, and answers to questions. Email questions to [email protected] with “EJIT Fellowship Application” in the subject. Be yourself; small grammar slips are okay, but skip heavy AI help.
Reasons to Join
Gain real project experience, network globally, earn money, and impact policy or communities. It’s a step into cutting-edge work on justice and tech.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the application deadline for the EJIT Fellowship 2026?
Applications are due by April 30, 2026, with rolling reviews and decisions within three weeks.
Is the fellowship paid and remote?
Yes, it offers a $3,000 USD stipend and is fully remote with flexible 20-hour weekly schedules.
Who can apply to the fellowship?
Anyone with good English skills, self-motivation, and interest in tech or environmental justice; specific tracks may prefer skills like data science or writing, but diverse backgrounds are encouraged.
What do fellows do in the program?
Fellows lead their own projects in one of four tracks, attend weekly check-ins, receive mentorship, and create outputs like dashboards, stories, tools, or zines.