About The School for Moral Ambition

The School for Moral Ambition (SMA) is a new organization that will focus on attracting the most talented people to work on the most pressing issues of our time. The activities of SMA fall into the following categories:

• Book and Branding: Launch of Rutger Bregman’s book on the topic of moral ambition — the idea that people’s talents should be used for working on global challenges.
• Community Activities: We organize Moral Ambition Circles and offer the resources to start their own Circle. These circles help morally ambitious people develop a career that matches their ideals.
• Exclusive Fellowship Programs: Initiation of targeted, highly selective programs in which small groups of fellows (~12 people) will focus on solving one of the most pressing and neglected global problems together.

Please read our founding principles for a better insight into our mission and guiding values.

About the role

We believe in the power of small groups of driven individuals to bring about big changes in the world. In our fellowships, we bring together talented, ambitious people to tackle the most urgent problems of our time. For the first fellowships, we have chosen to focus on tackling the tobacco industry and accelerating the food transition. These choices are based on the work of our full-time researchers, in collaboration with research from external parties.

Our program is not just a learning opportunity: It's a transformative seven-month journey, beginning with an intensive one-month training that sharpens you into an effective advocate for positive change. You'll then spend the next six months placed at a host organization, e.g. a leading NGO or think tank, likely in the vibrant heart of Brussels, dedicating your efforts to the critical areas of Tobacco Control or the Food Transition.

But it doesn't end there. We help you gain the skills and network to continue your morally ambitious career. Hopefully, you will continue to make a difference along with the fellows in your cohort and subsequent cohorts.

Responsibilities and activities

• Follow one month of training in September to become an effective advocate for good.
• During the six-month period from October 1 to April 1 at your host organization, your activities will vary based on your experience and the type of organization you are with. You will engage in tasks such as writing research reports, informing policymakers, preparing legal cases, creating stakeholder maps, conducting investigative journalism, working on communication strategies, and building a network.
• Perseverance is one of the founding principles of The School for Moral Ambition. We ask for your commitment to a longer morally ambitious career, even after the fellowship ends.

What we’re looking for

• Alignment with our founding principles
• The potential to become an effective advocate: Strong verbal and written communication skills, good epistemics and strategic thinking.
• We primarily focus on people who have around 10 years of work experience, though having at least 3 years is a requirement
• Ability to commit full time, but at least 32 hours per week
• Eligibility to work in the EU
• Willingness to relocate to Brussels, at least for the fellowship duration (with exceptions for outstanding candidates).
  • A limited number of host organizations could require temporary relocation to a different major city, like Berlin or Geneva.
  • There are a limited number of remote spots
• Preparedness to quit your job and transition from your current role to a new, impactful career path.
• A completed bachelor's degree; a master's degree is preferred.
• Willingness to live on a career transition grant of EUR 3,6K gross per month for the duration of the fellowship
• We are especially interested in individuals with experience in: Legal roles, Strategy/Management Consulting, Applied Research, Lobbying, Marketing/Communications, Taxes, Data analysis, Fundraising, Policy Making, Food Technology/Sustainable Proteins, Agriculture, Prevention in Alcohol/Drugs/Tobacco and Investigative Journalism

We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment. We welcome applicants of all races, religions, gender identities, sexual orientations, ages, national origins, disabilities, and other diverse backgrounds. At the School for Moral Ambition, we value talent and a can-do attitude above traditional credentials.

What we offer

• An amazing opportunity to kickstart your morally ambitious career to work on the most pressing causes within the EU according to our research.
• One of the most fascinating careers available, demanding high-level strategic thinking, providing diverse working days, and potentially having an extremely significant impact.
• A cohort of talented people from diverse professional backgrounds with plenty of room for peer-to-peer learning during the program.
• A month of free training with influential guest speakers and experienced trainers who will turn you into an effective activist.
• Six months of gaining practical experience during a placement at a host organization.
• A career transition grant of EUR 3.6k per month, equivalent to an average salary in the Netherlands.
• A whole lot of fun. As we tried to convey in our founding principles: ‘We’re not driven by feelings of guilt, but by sheer enthusiasm. We’re simply excited about making the world a wildly better place, and about building a legacy that matters.’

How the fellowships work
Over seven months, you’ll commit fulltime to a career dedicated to making the greatest possible impact. The program runs from September 2025 to April 2026.

Expected duration of this application process: maximum six weeks from job closing date. We will be flexible regarding the procedure for some specifically qualified applicants.

TO APPLY

PLEASE COMPLETE THIS APPLICATION FORM