Learn the core ideas of effective altruism

Through this online course, you'll learn the key ideas of EA with a small group of like-minded people. Guided by a facilitator, you'll gain access to curated materials and practical exercises to help you have a greater impact.

Apply Here by Sunday 16 February

How can we maximise our positive impact on the world?

In this course, we’ll explore this crucial question together. You’ll discover new concepts, frameworks, and counterintuitive ideas to help you maximise your impact—whether through your career, donations, or other projects.

⇓ Discover the curriculum

Course details

Apply Now

Curriculum

Week 1: The effectiveness mindset

We’ll explore why it's important to think carefully about how you spend your time and money to help others, and why a "scout mindset" is critical to finding the best opportunities.

Week 2: Differences in impact

Some efforts to help appear to be much more effective than others. We'll share a tool for estimating impact, and look into one promising focus area: reducing global poverty.

Week 3: Radical Empathy

Should we care about the suffering of non-human animals, as well as humans? Alongside this question, we'll explain the ideas of expected value and impartial altruism.

Week 4: Our final century?

Humanity appears to face existential risks: the chance of a catastrophe that destroys our long-run potential. One such risk is from a future pandemic that is worse than COVID-19.

The full syllabus can be found here.

FAQ

Can anyone apply?

Anyone can apply to our course, regardless of whether they are university students, high school students or people who have already finished their studies. There are also no restrictions regarding place of residence, nationality, educational institution or university programs. However, it is important that you are able to read English materials to a sufficient extent, as the weekly materials (online articles and book chapters) are only available in English.

Does it matter where I live?

You can participate in the course from anywhere, as it will be fully online. However, we’ll organise an optional in-person closing meetup in Brussels at the end of the course.

Is the course free?

Yes! The weekly sessions, as well as our other events are completely free. All reading materials, as well as the certificate you receive after successfully completing the fellowship are free as well. You don’t have to pay anything to take part in our course.

How much time does it take to participate?

Your group will meet for conversations each week at the same time. These discussions take 90 minutes. We will have several groups running at different times during the week, so you can easily find a time that works for you. Before each session, you need to prepare the materials (readings, videos, exercises) for that week, this will take about 2-2.5 hours per week. The discussions will be based on the readings and exercises, so it’s very important that you find the time to complete them each week. So altogether this means a 3.5 - 4-hour commitment per week. Please consider this when applying!

What happens during the sessions?

During the course all groups meet on a weekly basis with their facilitator. During these sessions, the group will discuss the reading materials for a given day, which take about 2 hours to complete. The aim of these meetings is to get a good understanding of the materials, as well as to examine them from different perspectives and share our understanding and opinions with the group.

Is it okay if I miss a session?

We ask all applicants to attend at least 3 out of 4 sessions. If the usual time doesn’t work for you, you’re welcome to join a different group at a more convenient time.

How long does the course last?

The course lasts 4 weeks, but for those interested in learning more, there will be additional sessions, that are optional. There will be an final event as well, where all the fellows will come together to meet each other, as well as the other members of the Belgian effective altruism community.