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.

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 term, we select a group of students to join us for an eight-week fellowship, which includes weekly readings, discussions, social events, 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 of a past syllabus attached here.

For Summer 2026, applications are due Sunday, May 17, exclusively for admits arriving Fall 2026.

Apply Now

Contact the Fellowship Team at harvardea@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).

  • For Fall 2025, priority applications are due September 14th, and regular applications are due September 21st. Acceptances will be sent out the following week. Sessions are every Monday, 5-7 pm, starting September 29th.

  • Please email harvardarete@gmail.com with any additional questions.