Climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time, and you can play a direct role in helping the world overcome this crisis through various climate change fellowships. This list highlights opportunities that fund climate change-related projects and research for environmental advocates at all career levels. Included are climate change fellowship opportunities for global leaders to pursue advocacy, journalism, scientific research, conservation, business, and international exchange between countries, including Scotland, Germany, Australia, and the United States.
1. Science to Action Fellowship
The Science to Action Fellowship is a one-year program that supports graduate students applying climate change research directly to real-world natural resource decision-making. Sponsored by the USGS Climate Adaptation Science Centers (CASCs) and coordinated through Michigan State University, this fellowship provides $10,000 for project expenses, mentorship from CASC experts, and the opportunity to develop a policy-relevant project on climate change impacts and adaptation. Fellows will work closely with USGS staff, university faculty, and other partners to address pressing challenges in the natural resources policy arena. Open to graduate students at any CASC Consortium Institution, the fellowship emphasizes actionable science that bridges research and resource management.
2. Mercator-IPC Fellowship Program
The Mercator – IPC Fellowship Program allows outstanding young academics, journalists, and civil society activists, especially but not exclusively from Germany, to work on academic and practical projects at Istanbul Policy Center (IPC) in three thematic areas: EU/German-Turkish relations, Climate Change and Education. Mercator – IPC Fellowships are granted to young scholars and professionals. Mercator – IPC Senior Fellowships are granted to internationally renowned scholars who have contributed significantly to German-Turkish or European-Turkish relations. Fellowships are available for 6 to 12 months.
3. Merlyn Climate Grants
Merlyn Climate Grants offer financial support to emerging leaders aged 13 to 30 with a clear vision for addressing climate challenges and a proven track record of inspiring others to act. Grants ranging from $500 to $3000 are available to fund community actions, social enterprises, artistic productions, training, outreach, and other impactful activities, including covering supplemental expenses like marketing and legal aid. These grants are open to young New England and New York climate leaders.
4. International Climate Protection Fellowship
The International Climate Protection Fellowship offers prospective leaders and postdoctoral researchers from non-European developing and transition countries the opportunity to undertake a 12-24 month project in Germany. This fellowship is designed for individuals working academically or practically in climate protection, resource conservation, or related sustainability topics. Up to 15 fellowships are awarded to prospective leaders and up to five to postdoctoral researchers each year, with a monthly stipend ranging from €2,170 to €2,670. It also includes additional financial support for family members, travel expenses, health insurance, and German language courses. Fellows will engage in a research-based project in collaboration with a host institution in Germany, focusing on topics such as climate change mitigation, adaptation strategies, biodiversity preservation, and sustainable resource use.
5. LeadNext Fellows Program
The LeadNext: Ambassadors for a Global Future fellowship is a fully funded program for emerging leaders aged 18-25 from Asia and the United States. It is focused on global citizenship and addressing pressing challenges like climate change and inequality. The program includes leadership training, monthly masterclasses with global experts, a capstone Global Leaders Summit in San Francisco, and personalized mentorship. Eligible candidates must be committed to social change, fully conversant in English, and able to participate in sessions scheduled across different time zones throughout the program year.
6. Annual Reviews Global Climate Change Fellowship
The Annual Reviews Global Climate Change Fellowship offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to developing accurate, useful, and engaging products and services that bridge climate change research to policy, industry, education, and the public. Applicants are scientists with a minimum of a Master’s degree and 3 years of research experience. A PhD is strongly preferred. The research should be in a scientific discipline related to climate change, including physical, biological, health, social, or economic sciences. A demonstrable interest in integrating and disseminating knowledge is an advantage.
7. Climate Adaptation Scientists of Tomorrow Program
To advance climate adaptation science and increase diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM fields, the Climate Adaptation Scientists of Tomorrow Program brings undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty together with CASC partners to cultivate the next generation of climate scientists. In this program fellows will build their climate science skills, training, and development for two years, they will lead an undergraduate research project in their area of interest at a leading university and will participate in training to prepare for a career in climate adaptation science. The program provides 10 weeks of room and board for two summers and a minimum stipend of $5,000 per summer.
8. EDF Climate Corps Fellows
The Climate Corps fellowship seeks motivated graduate students who are passionate about solving environmental challenges and possess strong project management, leadership, and communication skills. To be eligible, applicants must be enrolled in a graduate certificate or degree program, have eligibility to work in the U.S. during the summer, and demonstrate a commitment to sustainability. The program values diversity and offers U.S. fellows $1,400 per week for 10-12 weeks, plus an additional $1,400 for training. The application process includes attending informational events, participating in a Zoom interview, and being matched with a host organization based on project interests. Successful applicants join the Climate Corps after confirming their match with a host organization.
Hear directly from Climate Corps Fellow Scott Miller and Daniel Gonzalesz about how the program helped him complete a project and build a network in the field of corporate engineering.
9. Nathan Cummings Foundation Fellowship
The Nathan Cummings Foundation Fellowship supports visionary leaders by giving them boundless space to turn an inspired idea in the field of social justice into a world-changing reality. The Fellowship awards three individuals up to $150,000 each to pursue an innovative project that addresses a challenge related to climate change or inequality – or within the intersection of these two significant issues. Fellows will be thought partners informing the Foundation’s work and will have the use of a dedicated office at NCF’s New York City headquarters. Only U.S. citizens whose projects are focused on work within the U.S. are eligible for the Fellowship.
10. GRID SolarCorps Fellowship
The national SolarCorps Fellowship Program is an opportunity for highly motivated and enthusiastic people to join GRID Alternatives for a one-year, paid term of service to their community. The Corporation for National and Community Service has provided partial funding for the program through AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps VISTA since 2006. Positions are available in construction, client outreach, and volunteer engagement and include a stipend and healthcare.
11. SEI Climate Corps Fellowship
SEI’s Climate Corps is a full-time, 10-12 month fellowship program designed for emerging professionals passionate about addressing climate change at the community level. Fellows gain real-world experience by implementing climate change mitigation and resiliency projects while receiving extensive training and support, including orientation, monthly workshops, and a personal development plan. The program emphasizes early-career competencies like equity, resilience, and collaboration. It equips Fellows with essential skills in project management, data analysis, grant writing, and networking. Fellows receive a monthly stipend starting at $3,000, full health care coverage, a $1,000 end-of-program award, and access to a robust network of partner organizations and alumni.
12. McCloy Fellowship on Global Trends
The fellowships allow American and German experts from journalism, the public sector, think tanks, nonprofits, and law and cultural organizations to research and assess the most pressing topics on the transatlantic agenda while engaging with their counterparts overseas. Proposals must address global trends: climate change and sustainability, demographics and social change, technological breakthroughs, and urbanization. The fellowships allow Americans to travel to Germany and Germans to the United States for at least three weeks to conduct research. Fellows receive a $5,000 stipend, which covers transatlantic airfare, domestic travel, and room and board for a minimum of 21 days.
13. NOAA Climate & Global Change (C&GC) Postdoctoral Fellowships
This fellowship program is designed to provide an independent research opportunity to recently graduated PhDs who want to pursue interests that align with the NOAA Climate Program Office. The program focuses on observing, understanding, modeling, and predicting the climate system on seasonal and longer-time scales. Experienced scientists at U.S. universities and research institutions host the appointed fellows, providing mentoring and a collaborative environment for their research projects. Preference is given to new graduates seeking their first fellowship who have held a PhD for over three years.
14. AOSIS Climate Change Fellowship Program
The program brings early career professionals from Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) member countries to New York for one year to participate in each Fellow’s national delegation to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the United Nations. Fellows participate in a yearlong training program, including ongoing negotiation skills training and media training. After their fellowship, fellows are expected to return to their home governments and continue to engage in these issues and the UNFCCC process.
15. CivicSpark AmeriCorps
CivicSpark is an AmeriCorps program designed to build capacity in local governments and communities to tackle resilience challenges, including climate change, water management, affordable housing, and mobility. Over an 11-month service period, CivicSpark Fellows engage in projects that support public agencies by conducting research, planning, and implementing initiatives to enhance community resilience. The program is an excellent opportunity for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the public sector, with many Fellows continuing to work in this field after their service. CivicSpark offers placements in California, Colorado, and Washington state, providing a living allowance, professional development training, and other benefits, including a Segal Education Award upon completion.
16. Fulbright-Anne Wexler Master’s Award in Public Policy
The Fulbright-Anne Wexler Scholarships enable Australian and U.S. postgraduate students with strong academic credentials and leadership potential to undertake a two-year Master’s degree in Australia or the U.S. focusing on public policy. These may include critical areas such as health, sustainability, energy, climate change, regional security, education, political science, history, or governmental relations. The award includes tuition, a living stipend, and travel. Two Fulbright Anne Wexler Scholarships will be awarded annually: one for an Australian citizen and one for an American (US) citizen.
17. Wild Gift Fellowship
The Wild Gift Fellowship is a two-part program to advance social and environmental ventures through a unique combination of wilderness experience and virtual support. The program begins with a transformative 20-day guided wilderness trek. Fellows challenge themselves physically and emotionally, forge deep connections with nature, and gain clarity on their ventures. Following the trek, participants engage in 5 months of virtual programming, including interactive sessions led by the Program Director, designed to help integrate the insights gained from the wilderness experience into their ventures. The fellowship also includes a $2,500 stipend, a Lumina Spark Assessment, and a lifetime Wild Gift alumni network membership.
18. Science for Development Fellowship
The Science for Development Fellowship program, established by USAID, offers a two-year immersive professional development experience for American scientists and engineers. This program allows Fellows to leverage their technical expertise and research skills to contribute to and enhance the U.S. government’s international development efforts. Fellows address pressing global challenges in global health, food security, humanitarian aid, economic growth, water and sanitation, climate change, environment, and energy. The program invites postdoctoral candidates or those with a master’s in engineering from various STEMM disciplines (science, technology, engineering, math, medicine), including social sciences. Participants receive a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package.
Learn more about how fellowships can empower you to Be A Part of the Climate Solution by hearing directly from Fellowship Alumni on what they gained from their experience.
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