• Duration: 4 months; 16 weekly calls; 2-3 hours per call
• Weekly preparation: 1-2 hours of reading or videos related to the upcoming call
• Weekly calls: Each call involves active discussions with relevant experts
• Assignments: There will be 2 group assignments to be completed
• Fellowship completion: Complete the fellowship and receive your IFAWF certificate by participating in 13/16 sessions

Session topics include

• Developments in farm animal welfare globally and in China
• Stakeholder analysis
• Food systems transformation
• Engaging consumers
• Product labelling and standards
• Legislation and policy
• Academic research
• Welfare issues for poultry, pigs, ruminants, fish
• Virtual farm visit

Speakers come from international and Chinese organizations, including

• Compassion in World Farming (CIWF)
• Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA)
• International Cooperation Committee of Animal Welfare (ICCAW)
• Global Food Partners (GFP)
• Integrated Quality Consulting (IQC)
• Good Food Fund, CBCGDF (GFF)
• University of British Columbia (UBC)
• GFI Consultancy (GFIC)
• Tianxia Academy
• Shandong University
• Zhongnan University of Economics and Law

• Most online sessions and reading materials will be in Chinese
• A few sessions and readings will be in English due to speaker preference

Join a global community of distinguished alumni

• Enjoy continued sharing of resources, connections, and peer support

Gain sponsorship to attend a free 4-day offline retreat in China, featuring:

• Community building activities
• Expert-guided farm visit
• Brainstorming and discussion sessions
• Networking with experts in the animal welfare field

Receive 1-1 mentorship support

Be able to apply for small financial supports for career development, for example:

• Free access to online animal welfare courses at University of Edinburgh and University of Queensland (certificates provided by universities upon course completion)
• Attending relevant professional conferences
• Purchasing relevant books

Have potential project collaboration or internship opportunities at relevant NGOs, organizations, and universities

Essential Qualities

• A strong interest in working on improving the welfare of farm animals in China
• Fluency in Mandarin
• Familiar with culture and society in Mainland China

Ideal Qualities

• Rational, open-open minded, respectful of cultural differences
• Passionate, resilient, optimistic even during challenges
• No restrictions on background (preference is given to those with relevant backgrounds related to animals, food, agriculture, public health, environment, media studies, business, marketing, economics, education, project management, rural development)
• No restrictions on career stage

We believe that a multidisciplinary approach is needed to improve farm animal welfare in China, and therefore welcome and encourage individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and career stages to apply.

We believe diversity in background and intellectual outlook is important. Hence, all applicants will be considered without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), or sexual orientation.

• Before March 15: send in the application form
• Before April 15: potential candidates are interviewed
• Late April: fellows will learn the status of their application
• May to August: 16-week online program
• Late August: fellows who successfully complete the online program join a free a 4-day offline retreat in China