The CALS Global Fellows Program supports CALS undergraduate students from any major in pursuit of challenging, professionally-focused summer internships and research placements that enhance and complement their career goals and academic progress while enriching their undergraduate experience with diverse cultural and international immersion. Through key partnerships, the Global Fellows Program provides a platform for students to make positive and definable contributions to global organizations and communities.

Acceptance to the program is competitive and a limited number of students are selected each year. Selected Fellows receive a stipend to offset major expenses.

Students who are accepted into the CALS Global Fellows Program will be required to complete 4 parts of the program:

• An in-person 7-week, Spring (session 2) pre-engagement 1 credit course ALS 2300, focusing on health and safety, cultural awareness, logistics and more.
• a continuous 7–8-week internship or research placement in an international setting
• and a 7-week, 1 credit post-engagement course in the first half of the Fall semester (ALS/GDEV 3105)
• Poster Symposium in the Fall

Placement Opportunity: United Nations FAO Fellowship – Food Systems and Global Policy (New York City)

Placements: 2 (in person)

Dates: May–July 2025 (approximately 3 months)

In partnership with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), CALS Global Fellows will have the opportunity to work alongside FAO staff at the organization’s Liaison Office in New York City. Fellows will gain firsthand experience with a UN agency advancing global food security, sustainable agriculture, and climate resilience. 

• Students will learn about the Organizations participation and engagement in United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) fora, and its main committees (incl. 2nd and 3rd Committees); the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and the HLPF, main segments fora, expert bodies and Functional Commissions and research and prepare relevant supporting documents/information and follow-up;
• Main activities will lead towards the preparation of the 2026 High-Level Political Forum. Through this placement, Fellows will learn how international institutions operate, engage with FAO and UN partners, and contribute to policy dialogues shaping global food systems.

This is an ideal opportunity for students interested in global development, sustainability, policy, or international institutions.

CALS will provide a stipend to support living costs and housing in New York City. 

Suggested Majors and/or Professional Interests:

Global Development, Environment and Sustainability, Agricultural Sciences, Communication, Other majors, given appropriate curricular background & fit.

About the United Nations FAO Liaison Office in New York:

The FAO Liaison Office in New York represents the organization at the United Nations Headquarters, ensuring that food security, sustainable agriculture, and rural development remain central to global policy discussions. The office engages directly with UN agencies, member states, and civil society to advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with a focus on eradicating hunger and building resilient agrifood systems. 

Application Information:

We encourage you to apply to your first-choice program only. If you have a second-choice placement in mind, there is space in the application to indicate that preference.

Applicants may preview the application before starting by clicking on the “preview application” button next to the apply button on the CALS Global Fellows Program website. All application materials, including the statement of purpose and resume, are submitted within the online system. 

Students who apply for the FAO–NYC Global Fellows opportunity will first be reviewed and selected by the CALS Global Fellows Program based on their academic preparation, demonstrated interest in global development, and professional readiness.

Those who are selected by CALS will then proceed to the second stage of the process, where their placement will be confirmed through the United Nations Volunteer (UNV) portal and the FAO’s human resources approval system. Final confirmation of placement is contingent upon FAO’s acceptance through this official UN process.