The Emerging Climate Leaders Fellowship is your opportunity to connect with global experts, sharpen your policy skills, and become a changemaker in climate action. Applications are now open for the 2026 cohort, with the deadline set for August 1, 2025.
What Is the Emerging Climate Leaders Fellowship?
Hosted by Yale University, this prestigious five-month fellowship brings together dynamic professionals from the Global South to advance their leadership in climate and clean energy fields. The program combines in-person learning at Yale and in Paris with a rich series of remote sessions focused on some of the most urgent climate issues of our time.
Program Structure
Yale Orientation Week
February 16–20, 2026 | New Haven, Connecticut, USA
Fellows begin their journey at Yale University with an immersive, one-week in-person program. Through interactive sessions led by Yale faculty and leading climate experts, fellows will:
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Engage with key global climate policy debates
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Explore Yale’s cutting-edge climate research centers, including:
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Yale Program on Climate Change Communication
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Yale Center for Business and the Environment
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Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy
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Yale Office of Sustainability
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Yale Open Lab
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Remote Learning Journeys
March – June 2026
Over the following months, fellows will participate in virtual deep-dives with global thought leaders, covering topics such as:
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Decarbonization pathways & net-zero goals
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Climate governance & UN climate negotiations
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Renewable energy and electricity integration
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Market & regulatory policy tools (e.g., carbon pricing)
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Behavioral change & energy efficiency
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Climate communication & corporate sustainability
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Nature-based & negative emission solutions
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Equity and energy access in the Global South
These sessions are designed to strengthen peer-to-peer learning, mentoring, and collaborative project development.
Paris Closing Week
June 15–19, 2026 | Paris, France
The fellowship concludes with a capstone week in Paris, where fellows will:
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Engage with the International Energy Agency (IEA), OECD, and French policymakers
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Present their group project to a Global Advisory Board
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Participate in high-level networking with leaders from civil society, business, academia, and more
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Join the alumni network to continue collaboration and engagement
Who Can Apply?
Eligibility Criteria:
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Citizens of the Global South, especially from developing regions in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America/Caribbean
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5–10 years into a career with proven achievements in a climate-related field
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Open to professionals from government, business, media, finance, research, law, NGOs, and more
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Fluency in English
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Available for both in-person weeks and online sessions
What’s Covered?
Full funding for Yale and Paris program weeks, including:
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Round-trip airfare
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Hotel accommodation
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Per diem for meals and incidentals
No application fees
Access to world-class training, expert mentoring, and a powerful network
How to Apply
To apply, visit the official application portal:
Apply Here
Deadline: August 1, 2025
Required Materials:
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CV (max 3 pages)
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Personal statement (max 600 words)
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Short video introduction
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1 Letter of Recommendation
This is more than a fellowship—it’s a launchpad for your global impact in climate leadership. Don’t miss your chance to join a transformative experience at Yale and in Paris with the world’s most promising climate innovators.
For more opportunities, visit opportunitiesforyouth.org