Yale Emerging Climate Leaders Fellowship

📖 About Yale Emerging Climate Leaders Fellowship

The Yale Emerging Climate Leaders Fellowship is a five-month, three-part initiative based at Yale’s International Leadership Center, with partnerships throughout the university. It 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
• Exchange views with top global clean energy and climate change leaders

Mission

The fellowship aims to create a community of committed clean energy and climate change leaders from emerging and developing countries. Fellows will engage with top Yale faculty, researchers, and global authorities in the clean energy transition, including the International Energy Agency.

Participants

Climate Fellows come from diverse professions, including:

• Public servants
• Entrepreneurs
• Energy company professionals
• Financiers
• Journalists
• Educators
• Researchers
• Civil society representatives
• Legal advisers
• Legislators

📅 Key Dates

• Date Published: June 20, 2025
• Application Deadline: August 01, 2025
• Program Start: February 16, 2026

🏫 Fellowship Structure

Orientation Week

The fellowship begins with a one-week, in-person orientation program at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, from February 16–20, 2026. Fellows will:

• Engage in interactive sessions with Yale faculty and practitioners
• Explore Yale’s climate change initiatives
• Delve into cutting-edge scholarship on clean energy and climate issues

Remote Sessions

From March through June 2026, Fellows will organize and participate in interactive remote sessions with top international experts. These sessions focus on:

• Developing communities of practice
• Extensive mentoring opportunities

Closing Week

The fellowship concludes with an in-person week in Paris, from June 15–19, 2026, where Fellows will:

• Meet top international climate change analysts
• Share perspectives gleaned throughout the program
• Present policy recommendations to a global advisory board

🌟 Benefits

• Networking Opportunities: Fellows will connect with staff from the International Energy Agency, OECD, French government officials, civil society organizations, think tanks, academia, and the private sector.
• Policy Recommendations: Fellows will present policy recommendations on clean energy and climate-related challenges to a global advisory board and publish their findings.
• Alumni Network: Fellows will maintain professional and personal contacts through an alumni network.
• Fully Funded Program: All costs for Yale Orientation week and Paris closing week (round-trip airfare, hotels, transfers, and per diem) are covered.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Professional Experience: Between five and 10 years into their professional careers, with demonstrated accomplishments at a regional, national, or international level.
• Global South Representation: Applicants must be from developing regions such as Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America/Caribbean.
• English Fluency: An excellent command of English is essential.
• Availability: Applicants must fully participate in all parts of the program, including:
  • Yale Orientation week (February 16–20, 2026)
  • Paris closing week (June 15–19, 2026)
  • Five remote learning sessions and collaborative group projects between March and June 2026

🎯 Selection Criteria

The selection process is highly competitive and based on the following criteria:

• Established Record: Achievement in a profession linked to clean energy and climate change.
• Commitment: A dedication to making a positive impact at the local, national, or international level.
• Leadership Potential: Demonstrated promise of a future career in leadership at both national and global levels.
• Networking Eagerness: A willingness to expand professional networks and benefit from exposure to global leaders in clean energy and climate change.

📝 Application Process

• Online Application: The entire application process is conducted online. No paper forms are required.
• No Fees: There is no application fee or cost to apply or participate.
• Required Documents:
  • Résumé/CV (maximum three pages)
  • Brief video statement
  • Personal statement (maximum 600 words)
  • One letter of recommendation

📌 Topics Covered

Fellows will explore a wide range of topics, including:

• Strengthening global climate change governance
• Exploring decarbonization pathways
• Accelerating renewable electricity growth
• Promoting energy efficiency and behavioral change
• Investigating challenges of a people-centered clean energy transition
• Developing financial vehicles for clean energy transition
• Exploring carbon pricing and regulatory policy tools
• Improving climate change communication
• Closing energy access gaps with clean energy technologies
• Developing negative emissions technologies
• Exploring nature-based climate solutions
• Tackling energy security and geopolitical challenges

📅 Application Deadline

August 01, 2025

🌐 Contact and Application

• Apply Online: Yale Emerging Climate Leaders Fellowship Application Portal
• Program Details: Yale Emerging Climate Leaders Fellowship

This fellowship is an incredible opportunity for young leaders in the Global South to make a meaningful impact in the clean energy and climate change space. Don't miss your chance to apply! 🌱

• The fellowship concludes with an in-person week in Paris, from June 15–19, 2026.
• Fellows will meet with top international climate change analysts; share perspectives gleaned throughout the program; and consolidate professional and personal contacts developed through peer learning and exchanges of views.
• Networking opportunities with staff members from the International Energy Agency and the OECD, French central government and municipal officials, and representatives of civil society organizations, think tanks, academia, and the private sector.
• Fellows will present policy recommendations on specific clean energy and climate-related challenges to a global advisory board, publish those findings, and maintain contacts through an alumni network.