Rooted Futures Lab EJIT Fellowship 2026: Fully Funded Remote Opportunity for Emerging Leaders

Imagine leading real projects that tackle environmental justice through technology. The Rooted Futures Lab Environmental Justice & Technology Fellowship 2026 offers a fully funded remote chance for emerging leaders to make a difference. This 12-week program pays a $3,000 stipend and runs from June 15 to September 4, 2026.

About Rooted Futures Lab

Rooted Futures Lab works to fix how technology often ignores environmental justice. The group focuses on education, research, and action to create tech that helps people and the planet. It draws ideas from Dr. Robert Bullard, a leader in environmental justice, and “histofuturism,” which mixes lessons from the past with plans for fair futures. The lab aims to support underserved communities through better tech design.

Fellowship Overview

This fellowship lets participants lead their own projects at the crossroads of tech and environmental justice. It is fully remote with about 20 hours per week, and schedules are flexible. Fellows get a $3,000 stipend with payment options that fit their needs. Applications close on April 30, 2026, with reviews on a rolling basis and decisions within three weeks after the deadline.

The Four Fellowship Tracks

The 2026 cohort has four tracks. Each one targets a key area of environmental justice in tech. Fellows pick one based on their skills and interests.

Data Centers & Environmental Justice – Creative Technologist Fellow

This track looks at the hidden costs of data centers, like their use of land, water, and energy. Fellows build projects with tools such as machine learning, remote sensing, or data scraping. They create datasets, models, reports, or visuals and add to the Data Center Impact Dashboard. The goal is to make findings easy for everyone to use. People with tech skills in data or coding will thrive here. Learn more here.

Data Centers & Environmental Justice – Investigative Storyteller Fellow

Storytellers in this track dig into data center issues like land loss, water use, pollution, and higher energy bills. They turn facts into stories through writing, images, audio, or videos. Fellows share their work on the Data Center Impact Dashboard to reach wider audiences. This fits journalists or creatives who love clear narratives. Learn more here.

Study Hall – Democratic Governance & Collective Systems Fellow

This track builds fair decision-making tools for communities. Fellows study systems like sociocracy and create guides for groups. They help student communities use these methods and write up the results for toolkits. Past work reached over 130 students in North America, and it now grows as a full track. It suits those into organizing or group design. Learn more here.

GLITCH Zine – Editor & Strategist Fellow

Fellows shape the GLITCH Zine, a creative publication on these topics. They pick themes, edit submissions, plan outreach, and handle print and digital versions. The role includes archiving old issues and finding partners to grow the audience. Editorial or publishing experience makes this a good match. Learn more here.

How the Fellowship Works

Fellows work on their own but join weekly check-ins, especially at the start. They get advice from mentors and team members. Collaboration happens across skills like research and design. Everyone produces real outputs, such as reports or tools, with flexible timelines.

Support for Fellows

The program provides access to the full Rooted Futures Lab team. Mentors offer help with tech, writing, or planning. Fellows join a global group and use shared tools. This setup helps turn ideas into lasting work.

Who Can Apply

Most tracks need good English skills, self-management, and interest in the topics. Tech tracks want experience in data science or GIS. Others seek skills in stories, organizing, or editing. Beginners from any background are welcome, especially from marginalized groups. The program values diversity in gender, race, age, and more.

How to Apply

Fill out the online form with your name, email, location, timezone, LinkedIn, and CV (under 10MB). Answer the questions in your own words. Email questions to [email protected] with “EJIT Fellowship Application” in the subject. Apply here. Be real; small grammar issues do not matter, but avoid AI writing.

Reasons to Join

This Rooted Futures Lab Environmental Justice & Technology Fellowship 2026 builds skills in key projects. It connects you to a network, pays well, and creates work that shapes policy and communities. Applications are open now on a rolling basis.

Frequently Asked Questions