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Some efforts to improve the world can be much more impactful than others. Smallpox eradication, the abolitionist movement, germ theory, and the Green Revolution demonstrate what's possible when people come together to solve pressing problems. But these opportunities are few and far between. At the other end of the spectrum, well-intended initiatives have been ineffective or even counterproductive.

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Doing good better is one of the defining challenges of our time. Recognizing this need, the Harvard College Effective Altruism student group established the Arete Fellowship to equip Harvard students with the knowledge to do good in the world more effectively and the tools to think critically about their career ambitions. By the end of the semester, Fellows have access to in-depth coaching, career connections, and unique opportunities to help others as part of a happy and meaningful life.

Every semester, we select a group of students to join us for a seven week fellowship based on weekly readings, discussions, socials, writing, research, and more. Fellowship alumni have rated their experiences highly and consider the fellowship a valuable and eye-opening experience. The fellowship is open to students from any Harvard school. Preview a past syllabus here.

For Spring 2025, applications are due February 9th.

Contact the Fellowship Team at harvardarete@gmail.com.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • The Fellowship is a series of 7, 2-hour in-person readings and discussions with 5-8 participants and 1-2 discussion leaders in each section. Discussion leaders will prompt participants with questions related to the readings, but most of the conversation is carried by the participants.

  • A list of time slots is listed in the application. If you cannot make any of the meeting times, then we will try to accommodate your time preferences; if we cannot accommodate them, then you are free to do the Arete Fellowship another semester without needing to reapply.

  • The Fellowship is an excellent introduction to effective altruism (EA) for Harvard students of any school who have never heard of EA or are not heavily engaged with EA. For those already involved in EA, please explore the Harvard EA website or contact current members of Harvard EA for more targeted opportunities to be involved.

  • Around half of each two-hour meeting will be dedicated to reading assigned articles, while the other half will be primarily discussion.

  • Anyone affiliated with any Harvard school can join the Arete Fellowship. If you are not affiliated with Harvard, we recommend that you check out the Introductory EA Virtual Program (https://www.effectivealtruism.org/virtual-programs/introductory-program).

  • The application will be open until September 15th. We’ll send out acceptances shortly thereafter, and the Fellowship itself will last seven weeks starting the week of September 23rd.

  • Please email harvardarete@gmail.com or jmboesen@college.harvard.edu with any additional questions.