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Join the EA Intro Program – Summer 2026
Curious about Effective Altruism and how you can actually help others in a meaningful way? Then the EA Intro Program is for you.
Together with the Centre for Effective Altruism (CEA) and EA Deutschland, this free 8-week course introduces you to the core ideas of Effective Altruism: identifying some of the world's most pressing problems, from global poverty and factory farming to risks from advanced AI and future pandemics, and exploring what we can realistically do about them.
At a glance
When: 1 June – 26 July 2026 (8 weeks)
Application deadline: 10 May 2026
Format: Online or in person in Heidelberg
Language: Readings in English; weekly discussions in German or English depending on group preference
Time commitment: ~3–4 hours per week (about 2h preparation + a 90-minute group discussion)
Cost: Free
What to expect
Each week, you'll spend around 1-2 hours on curated readings, podcasts, or videos. Then you'll meet with a small group of 4–8 participants and an experienced facilitator for a 90-minute discussion.
Topics across the eight weeks include the effectiveness mindset, differences in impact, radical empathy, long-term risks to humanity, AI, and how to put the ideas into practice. If you attend at least six sessions, you'll also receive a certificate of participation.
After the program, you're welcome to keep coming to our Heidelberg events, explore follow-up programs, and connect with the wider EA community nationally and internationally.
Who it's for
You don't need any prior knowledge. All we ask is:
An interest in the question "How can I do good systematically?"
Curiosity and a willingness to think critically
A working understanding of English (materials are in English)
Ready to apply?
The application takes about 5 minutes. Just fill out this short form and select the "June–July" cycle.
Questions? Write to intro-program@effektiveraltruismus.de, or reach out to us at heidelberg@effektiveraltruismus.de if you'd like to chat with someone from our Heidelberg group first. We’d love to hear from you! You can find further information about the Intro program at https://effektiveraltruismus.de/en/intro-program-en/.