The Yale Emerging Climate Leaders Fellowship offers an opportunity for 16 young climate and clean energy practitioners from across the Global South to broaden their technical skills, deepen their professional networks, and exchange views with top global clean energy and climate change leaders.
Climate Fellows are drawn from a wide variety of professions, ranging from public servants to entrepreneurs, energy company professionals, financiers, journalists, educators, researchers, civil society representatives, legal advisers, and legislators.
This five-month, three-part initiative is based out of Yale’s International Leadership Center with partnerships throughout the university. Fellows engage with prominent Yale faculty and a network of top practitioners to explore key issues in the global clean energy and climate change agenda.
Requirements For The Yale Emerging Climate Leaders Fellowship for Climate and Clean Energy Practitioners
Applicants should be between five and 10 years into their professional careers, with demonstrated accomplishments at a regional, national, or international level. While there is no maximum age limit, we are looking for young leaders to launch the program.
Applicants must be representatives of the Global South. We look forward to welcoming a diverse representation from developing Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America/Caribbean.
Applicants must be fluent in English. An excellent command of the English language is essential to successfully participating in the program.
Climate Fellows must be available to fully participate in-person for two weeks of the program: the Yale Orientation week (April 7-11, 2025), and the Paris closing week (September 15-19, 2025). Fellows must also be available to participate in the five remote learning journeys to be arranged remotely between May and early July 2025.
Program Details
Yale Orientation Week | April 7-11, 2025
This five-month fellowship begins with a one-week, in-person orientation program at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, from April 7-11, 2025.
Remote Learning Journeys | May-July 2025
From May through July 2025, Climate Fellows will organize and carry out a series of interactive remote sessions with top international experts on the full range of policy issues associated with climate change and the clean energy transition.
Paris Closing Week | September 15-19, 2025
The fellowship concludes with an in-person week in Paris, from September 15–19, 2025.
Selection Criteria
An established record of achievement in a profession linked to clean energy and climate change. We seek to identify a diverse group of Fellows from across multiple stakeholder groups, ranging from government officials, to entrepreneurs, energy company/utility professionals, bankers/financiers, journalists, educators/researchers, civil society representatives, legal advisors and legislators.
A commitment to making a positive impact at the local, national, or international level.
Demonstrated promise of a future career in leadership at both the national and potentially global level.
An eagerness to expand and deepen professional networks and to benefit from exposure to top global leaders in the clean energy and climate change space.
Method of Application
The application process for admission to the Climate Fellows Program is done entirely online. There are no paper forms to complete or mail.
There is no application fee or other cost to apply or participate. All fellows’ costs for Yale Orientation week and Paris closing week will be covered by the program (round-trip airfare, hotels, transfers and per-diem).
Prior to the deadline, you may work on your application at any time and submit it when you are ready. After creating an account and accessing the online application, you can upload materials and request your letters of recommendation.
Applicants are required to submit a résumé/curriculum vitae (maximum three pages), a personal statement (maximum 600 words), and one letter of recommendation. Applicants also have the option of submitting a brief video statement.
Application Deadline: November 8, 2024 at 12:00 PM (noon) EST
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