Applications are now open for the 2026 Yale Emerging Climate Leaders Fellowship for Rising Leaders from the Global South!

6 days ago

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Applications are now open for the 2026 Yale Emerging Climate Leaders Fellowship for Rising Leaders from the Global South!

Applications are now open for the 2026 Yale Emerging Climate Leaders Fellowship for Rising Leaders from the Global South!. Applications are now open for the 2026 Yale Emerging Climate Leaders Fellowship, a fully funded opportunity offering global exposure and leadership training to climate professionals from the Global South. The prestigious five-month fellowship equips participants with the tools, networks, and knowledge to lead transformative change in clean energy and climate policy.

Background & Job Description

The Yale Emerging Climate Leaders Fellowship is an elite, fully funded fellowship program hosted by Yale’s International Leadership Center. It is designed for young professionals from the Global South who are advancing practical solutions in climate change, energy, sustainability, and related disciplines.

The five-month program offers a unique combination of in-person and virtual engagements, connecting a cohort of 16 rising leaders with world-class academics, climate policy experts, and fellow practitioners. Through intensive training, networking, and collaborative project development, fellows gain enhanced leadership skills, deeper technical expertise, and access to a powerful international network.

The fellowship is built on Yale’s commitment to fostering global dialogue, cross-sector collaboration, and sustainable development leadership. Participants are selected through a highly competitive process and represent a wide spectrum of sectors including public service, civil society, business, academia, law, media, and finance.

The program is free of charge to selected fellows. It also covers all travel, accommodation, and per diem costs for two in-person gatherings: the Yale Orientation Week in February 2026 and the Paris Closing Week in June 2026.

Tasks

Fellowship Objectives and Activities

Fellows in the 2026 Yale Emerging Climate Leaders Fellowship program are expected to:

Engage in intensive leadership training
Fellows will participate in structured leadership modules, seminars, and workshops to strengthen their strategic, policy, and communication capabilities.
Collaborate on group projects
Between March and June 2026, fellows will work remotely in teams on real-world climate challenges, developing collaborative solutions under expert guidance.
Participate in remote learning journeys
Five remote learning sessions will offer interactive instruction on cutting-edge climate topics, ranging from policy design to sustainable finance and clean energy transitions.
Attend two residential sessions
Fellows must attend in-person events: a Yale-based orientation in February 2026 and a final closing event in Paris in June 2026.
Expand their international networks
Fellows will engage with global leaders in climate and clean energy, including academics, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and civil society advocates.
Contribute to peer learning
By sharing expertise and experiences, fellows support one another’s development, strengthen cohort cohesion, and enhance the collective impact of the group.

Qualifications

Education and Certification

There is no specific degree requirement, but fellows are expected to have a strong educational background and demonstrate ongoing learning and development in their professional field.

Fellows must also:

Be fluent in English, both written and spoken.
Demonstrate a clear record of intellectual or professional accomplishment related to climate change or clean energy.

Experience

Ideal candidates for the Yale Emerging Climate Leaders Fellowship:

Have between five and ten years of post-graduate professional experience.
Have made significant contributions at a regional, national, or international level.
Show strong leadership potential in fields such as climate policy, clean energy, engineering, finance, civil society, research, law, education, journalism, or public service.
Exhibit a proven commitment to addressing climate challenges in their communities or countries.
Are citizens of or residing in countries from the Global South, including regions in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America/Caribbean.

The program seeks diversity in background, career paths, gender, region, and sector. While there is no minimum or maximum age requirement, the program targets individuals still advancing toward peak leadership roles in their careers.

Additional Information

Fellowship Duration and Format

The fellowship runs over five months in 2026 and includes both in-person and virtual components. The structure is as follows:

Yale Orientation Week: February 16–20, 2026 (in-person)
Remote Learning Journeys: March to June 2026
Collaborative Group Project: March to June 2026
Paris Closing Week: June 15–19, 2026 (in-person)

Program Benefits

Fully funded participation
Fellows are not charged any application or program fees.
All expenses covered
The program covers round-trip airfare, hotel accommodation, airport transfers, and per diem during both in-person sessions.
Networking and career development
Fellows join an alumni network of global climate leaders and gain exposure to leading voices and organizations in climate innovation.
Academic and professional resources
Fellows access Yale’s academic resources and thought leaders during the course of the fellowship.

Application Details

Deadline for humanities, social sciences, and creative arts: September 11, 2025 (11:59 PM ET)
Deadline for science, engineering, and mathematics applicants: September 30, 2025 (11:59 PM ET)
No application fee is required.
Applications must be submitted online via the Yale International Leadership Center website. All required documents should be uploaded through the system. There are no paper applications.

Selection Process

The selection process is highly competitive. Each cohort of 16 fellows is selected to reflect diversity across geography, sector, profession, and lived experience. Applicants are assessed based on:

Leadership potential
Impact of past and current work
Alignment with fellowship goals
Willingness to collaborate across disciplines
Commitment to climate justice and sustainable development

Shortlisted candidates may be contacted for interviews during the selection process. Final decisions will be communicated by the program organizers.

Apply Now and Shape the Future of Global Climate Leadership

If you are a rising climate leader from the Global South working to accelerate climate solutions, the Yale Emerging Climate Leaders Fellowship offers a unique opportunity to grow your skills, expand your networks, and make lasting global impact.

Apply through the official Yale International Leadership Center portal before August 1, 2025.

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Disclaimer: This article is published by a third-party career listing site. We are not affiliated with Yale University or any of its departments. All information is sourced from publicly available materials. For the latest updates, always refer to the official Yale Emerging Climate Leaders Fellowship website.

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