Yale Emerging Climate Leaders Fellowship 2026 for Clean Energy and Climate Change Leaders

Reach us on

Applications are open for Yale Emerging Climate Leaders Fellowship 2026. 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.

Yale Emerging Climate Leaders Fellowship Program Details

Yale Orientation Week | February 16-20, 2026

This five-month 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 a series of interactive sessions with prominent Yale faculty and practitioners to set the terms of the global climate change debate.
Fellows will explore the wide range of climate change initiatives housed at Yale and delve into cutting-edge scholarship on a broad range of clean energy and climate issues.

Remote Learning Journeys | March-June 2026

From March through June 2026, 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. Sessions are spirited journeys allowing for development of communities of practice in specialties and extensive mentoring opportunities.

Paris Closing Week | June 15-19, 2026

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.
Fellows will have networking opportunities with staff members from the International Energy Agency and the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), French central government and municipal officials, and representatives of civil society organizations, think tanks, academia, and the private sector.

Application Requirements

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 minimum or maximum age requirement, we are looking for young leaders who are still on the rise in their careers.
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 all parts of the program, including in-person for two weeks of the program: the Yale Orientation week (February 16-20, 2026), and the Paris closing week (June 15-19, 2026). Fellows must also be available to participate in the five remote learning journeys and to work on a collaborative group project between March and June 2026.

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.