Supporting individuals to explore and pursue high-impact careers in farmed animal advocacy.
Thank you for your interest. Applications for the fellowship in 2026 are now closed.
Are you passionate about
reducing the suffering of animals farmed for food?
Are you interested in
creating a more humane and sustainable food system?
We’re looking for highly motivated individuals who are interested in the issues surrounding industrial animal agriculture and who are seeking a career to be part of the solutions in Southeast Asia.
About SEAFAWF
The Southeast Asia Farmed Animal Welfare Fellowship (SEAFAWF) is designed for those interested in pursuing a career in transforming industrial animal agriculture in Southeast Asia and creating a more compassionate and sustainable food system.
Participants learn about the welfare issues associated with intensive farming systems (“factory farming”) and the different career pathways that one can pursue to work towards higher welfare for animals farmed for food.
Fellows get the opportunity to learn from professionals in the field of farmed animal advocacy, including leaders of organisations, animal welfare experts and experienced advocates working on the ground in Southeast Asia. They are also introduced to different interventions to address farmed animal welfare issues — including producer engagement, corporate outreach and campaign work — with the chance to participate in discussions to help identify and prioritise the strategies that would work best in their local settings.
This programme sees network-building as key to building a career in this field, and has been designed to grow a strong and coordinated network of peers, professionals and organisations in the region. SEAFAWF focuses on key countries in Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam.
Why should you join this fellowship?
Support us in building a more humane and sustainable future.
You’re looking to make a difference in a crucial yet overlooked issue (industrialised animal agriculture), and you’re based in Southeast Asia.
You care about the welfare of farmed animals and creating a more humane and sustainable food system.
You are seeking opportunities to put your interest into professional practice, to gain the knowledge, skills and the network that will help you achieve your long-term career goals.
You have an ambition to work in a professional capacity for an organisation focussed on improving the welfare of farmed animals and creating more humane food systems.
What this programme provides
-
✺
Expert-led sessions on a range of topics including farmed animal sentience and welfare, advocating for more humane farming systems, campaign work and movement-building — equipping participants with essential background knowledge.
-
✺
Networking opportunities with advocates, nonprofit leaders, and experts across Southeast Asia and beyond, to foster collaboration and support.
-
✺
Practical insights from experienced advocates on overcoming challenges, maximising impact, and adapting strategies for the Southeast Asian context.
-
✺
Strategic advocacy tools to design and implement effective campaigns that drive positive change for farmed animals.
-
✺
Access to long-term community support through an engaged alumni network, providing connections and shared resources for continued learning and engagement.
-
✺
Individual career guidance — tailored to personal interests and skill sets — to help fellows navigate opportunities in farmed animal advocacy.
The 14-week programme
The Southeast Asia Farmed Animal Welfare Fellowship (SEAFAWF) is a 14-week online programme combining expert-led sessions with interactive discussions, to equip fellows with essential knowledge to take their first steps into animal advocacy as a potential career.
Each session features talks from regional or global experts, followed by Q&A discussions where fellows can engage directly with speakers. The programme also includes small group discussions to encourage collaboration and peer learning.
By the end of the fellowship, participants will have gained valuable insights, advocacy tools, and connections to drive meaningful change in the region.
Topics covered include:
-
An overview of farmed animal advocacy at both global and regional levels. Fellows will learn about the farmed animal advocacy movement and the community working in this space. The key welfare issues affecting intensively farmed land and aquatic animals are covered, together with an introduction to animal welfare science.
-
Exploring various interventions to address farmed animal welfare issues, the fellowship covers effective strategies and emerging opportunities for impact. Fellows will examine corporate engagement, producer engagement, and policy advocacy, gaining insights into how these approaches drive meaningful change.
-
The fellowship provides an introduction to effective animal advocacy, offering fellows insights into evidence-based, research-driven approaches rooted in effective altruism. Fellows will learn how to identify high-impact solutions and apply strategic thinking to address farmed animal welfare issues in Southeast Asia and beyond.
-
During the fellowship, participants gain insight into the wide range of professional roles within farmed animal advocacy, hearing directly from individuals working in the field. The programme concludes with a dedicated session that explores different career pathways into the movement, offering fellows the opportunity to ask experienced advocates from diverse roles and backgrounds about their career journeys, as well as to seek practical tips and advice.
Application Process
Step 1
February to 12 April 2026
Interested candidates must submit an application form. Only selected applicants will proceed to the next stage.
Step 2
March to April 2026
Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an online interview as part of the selection process.
Step 3
May 2026
Successful candidates will receive confirmation of their acceptance into the programme.
Who should apply?
Are you:
Highly motivated to reduce the suffering of as many animals as possible;
Open-minded about exploring diverse approaches and interventions;
Driven by evidence and focused on maximizing impact;
Passionate about building a career in farmed animal advocacy in Southeast Asia;
Based in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, or Singapore.
If so, the Fellowship could be an ideal fit for you!
Missed the application for SEAFAWF (2026)? Check out our Farmed Animal Welfare Incubator (FAWI).
FAQs
-
This fellowship is a 14-week online programme in which selected participants are enrolled as ‘fellows’.
Fellows are provided with opportunities throughout the programme to gain locally relevant knowledge on farmed animal welfare issues, learn about the solutions that can result in more humane farming practices and explore some of the skills needed to to work professionally in the field of farmed animal advocacy.
There will be discussions with peers as well as experts in the field. The fellows can expect to widen their professional network through this programme.
The fellowship programme is designed to empower its participants to be aligned advocates who can apply for positions in existing animal welfare organisations in the region.
-
The entire fellowship will be conducted online.
The structure of the fellowship programme will include speaker talks, group discussions, networking, independent reading, 1-1 guidance, and the opportunity to put knowledge and skills gained into practice through completion of an assignment.
The fellowship includes one live session per week, typically 1.5 hours in length, with occasional sessions extending to 2 hours.The fellows are expected to complete the reading materials provided for each weekly session.
At the end of the fellowship, fellows will be provided with career planning support, such as tailored network connections.
-
SEAFAWF 2026 is scheduled to start towards the end of May 2026.
-
No, the fellowship is conducted free-of-charge to the fellows.
As part of the programme, fellows are expected to demonstrate high commitment and engagement with the intention of professional development in the farmed animal advocacy space.
-
No, there will be no stipend or financial support provided to the fellows during the course of the fellowship.
-
We’re seeking individuals based in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam who:
Care about the welfare of farmed animals, acknowledging that all farmed animals are sentient beings and capable of suffering.
Are highly motivated to make a positive difference for farmed animals, and interested in finding out more about building a career in farmed animal advocacy in Southeast Asia.
Are open-minded, and take an evidence-based and impact-oriented approach when considering various approaches for addressing farmed animal welfare issues.
Are at least final year university students, and ready to explore a career in farmed animal advocacy in the near future.
Applications are open to anyone meeting these criteria, regardless of career stage or background.
We also strongly encourage applications from mid-career professionals with transferable skills who are seeking a meaningful and impactful career change.
-
The SEAFAWF programme for 2026 will be conducted in English. All the reading materials and the sessions will be in English
-
We can accept 25-30 fellows into the SEAFAWF programme in 2026.
-
The fellowship includes a compulsory assignment that all fellows are required to complete. Clear guidance and adequate time will be provided. While the assignment will not be graded, fellows will receive constructive feedback.
Fellows are also expected to:
Commit to attend at least 9 out of 14 sessions of the fellowship.
Be open-minded to learn about all of the different interventions and solutions being discussed.
Maintain a friendly and collaborative environment.
-
Fellows will primarily learn about the welfare issues for farmed animals being raised in intensive systems, as well as other issues related to industrial animal agriculture. Fellows will also be introduced to the different approaches to address farmed animal welfare issues, as well as possible career pathways that one can pursue to help create a more humane food system.
The fellowship programme provides the fellows with:
Access to talks and Q&A sessions by experts
Reading materials
Discussions related to locally relevant contexts
Introductions to existing animal welfare organisations
Access to exclusive opportunities for SEAFAWF graduates
Exposure to further opportunities available in the region (e.g. incubation programmes, funding sources for projects)
The fellowship aims to empower its participants to be aligned advocates who can apply for positions in existing animal welfare organisations or even potentially establish new farmed animal advocacy initiatives in the region with further support.
-
This fellowship is tailored to address the issues surrounding industrial animal agriculture in Southeast Asia, particularly Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam and Singapore.
While there is no strict restriction regarding where applicants are located, we are looking for those who are currently based in or can potentially work in these specific countries.
The fellowship aims to support those who are looking at entering a career in farmed animal advocacy in this region.
-
Fellows who successfully complete the fellowship will be provided with regular updates on career opportunities that open up in the area of farmed animal advocacy, as well as access to exclusive opportunities open only to SEAFAWF graduates.
Based on the needs and interests of the fellows, we will follow up 1-on-1 with those who require mentorship support. In the case that a fellow is ready to work on developing independent projects, we will explore options that can best help them.
The social and professional network that the fellowship provides will continue to open up opportunities for the fellows to be engaged in the farmed animal advocacy space.
Last updated: Feb 19, 2026
We will continue to update this FAQ list with more information.
If you have any questions about the programme, you can reach out to us at fellowship@welfarematters.org.