Rooted Futures Lab EJIT Fellowship 2026: $3K Remote Stipend
Imagine leading a project that tackles environmental harm from tech giants while earning a $3,000 stipend from home. The Rooted Futures Lab Environmental Justice & Technology Fellowship 2026 offers that chance. This fully funded, remote program runs for 12 weeks and targets young leaders ready 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. The group pushes for tech that helps both people and Earth, especially in overlooked communities. It draws ideas from Dr. Robert Bullard, a leader in environmental justice, and “histofuturism,” which mixes lessons from history with plans for a better future.
The lab focuses on three main areas: education, research, and action. These efforts aim to change how tech gets built and used around the world.
Fellowship Overview
The Rooted Futures Lab Environmental Justice & Technology Fellowship 2026 is a summer program built around real projects. It lasts from June 15 to September 4, 2026, about 12 weeks. Fellows commit around 20 hours a week, with flexible schedules, all from remote locations.
Participants get a $3,000 USD stipend with payment options that fit their needs. Applications close April 30, 2026, with reviews on a rolling basis. Selected fellows hear back within three weeks of the deadline.
Fellowship Tracks for 2026 Cohort
This year’s program has four tracks. Each one dives into a key area where tech meets environmental justice. Fellows pick one and lead their own work.
Data Centers & Environmental Justice – Creative Technologist Fellow
This track looks at the hidden costs of data centers, like energy use and pollution. Fellows build tools with machine learning, remote sensing, or data scraping. They create reports, datasets, or visuals and add to a Data Center Impact Dashboard.
The goal is to make tech findings easy for everyone to grasp. This suits people strong in coding or data work who care about justice issues.
Data Centers & Environmental Justice – Investigative Storyteller Fellow
Here, fellows dig into data center harms like land loss, water use, dirty air, noise, and high energy bills. They turn facts into stories through writing, images, audio, or videos. Outputs feed into the Data Center Impact Dashboard too.
Journalists and artists who love clear storytelling thrive in this role.
Study Hall – Democratic Governance & Collective Systems Fellow
This track builds fair group decision-making for environmental projects. Fellows study systems like sociocracy and make tools for communities. They help student groups use these methods and write guides or toolkits.
Past work reached over 130 students in North America. It’s great for organizers and educators.
GLITCH Zine – Editor & Strategist Fellow
Fellows shape the next GLITCH Zine, a creative publication. They pick themes, edit pieces, find writers, handle print and online versions, and plan growth. Focus includes saving old issues, teaming up with others, and reaching more readers.
Editors and planners with creative backgrounds fit best.
Fellowship Structure and Experience
All tracks share some parts. Fellows work solo but join weekly check-ins, especially at first. They get advice from mentors and team up across skills.
Everyone handles their schedule, solves open problems, and makes real outputs. The mix of freedom and support helps build strong skills.
Support and Resources
Fellows join a team of experts in tech, stories, and strategy. They get mentorship, tools, and chances to share work. A global group of fellows adds to the network.
Eligibility Criteria
Tracks have some special needs, but basics apply to all. You need good English skills, project management ability, and interest in justice or tech. Open minds for teamwork help too.
Tech tracks want skills in data science or media. But non-tech people from mixed backgrounds are welcome.
Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Rooted Futures Lab welcomes all. It does not judge based on gender, sexuality, race, faith, age, or money status. People from sidelined groups get special encouragement to apply.
Application Process
Apply online with your name, email, location, timezone, LinkedIn, CV (under 10MB), and answers to questions. Use the form at the program’s site. For questions, email [email protected] with “EJIT Fellowship Application” in the subject.
Important Notes for Applicants
Reviews happen as submissions come in. Be real in your answers; small grammar slips are fine. Avoid heavy AI use.
Why You Should Apply
This Rooted Futures Lab Environmental Justice & Technology Fellowship 2026 lets you shape big issues. You gain project experience, connections, pay, and work that matters for policy and communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the stipend for the fellowship?
Fellows receive a $3,000 USD stipend with flexible payment options to fit their needs.
When does the 2026 fellowship run?
It lasts 12 weeks from June 15 to September 4, 2026, with about 20 hours per week remotely.
What are the fellowship tracks?
Tracks include Data Centers Creative Technologist, Investigative Storyteller, Democratic Governance Fellow, and GLITCH Zine Editor & Strategist.
How do I apply?
Submit an online form with your CV, contact info, and answers to questions; email [email protected] for help.