The Yale Emerging Climate Leaders Fellowship, hosted by Yale University’s Jackson School of Global Affairs, invites applications for the 2026 cohort. This fully funded five-month program brings together 16 promising young climate and clean-energy professionals from the Global South. Fellows benefit from immersive leadership training, mentorship with top experts, and extensive networking—including at Yale and through a closing residency in Paris.
About the Fellowship
Launched under the Jackson International Leadership Center, this program empowers early-career practitioners to deepen their technical knowledge, leadership skills, and global climate networks. It features three components:
- Orientation Week – April in New Haven
- Remote Learning Journeys – Five-month virtual sessions
- Closing Forum – Paris residency in September
Up to 16 Fellows—public officials, business leaders, journalists, researchers, legal advisors, and civil society partners—are selected annually to represent diverse regional, disciplinary, and gender backgrounds from emerging economies.
Financial Coverage & Benefits
This fellowship fully covers all program-related costs:
- Round-trip airfare to New Haven and Paris
- Accommodation, transfers, and per diems during in-person sessions
- Participation in remote learning sessions at no cost
- No application fees
Participants receive tailored professional coaching, direct access to Yale faculty and networks, and an invitation to senior-level global leaders.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following:
- Represent a Global South country (Africa, Asia, Middle East, Latin America/Caribbean)
- Have 5–10 years of professional experience in clean energy or climate fields
- Strong record of leadership, innovation, and impact in climate or energy
- Fluent in English
- Available to attend:
- Orientation at Yale: April 2026 (exact dates TBD)
- Closing forum in Paris: September 2026
- All remote sessions between May–July 2026
This ensures a cohort of diverse, engaged participants committed to global collaboration and influence.
Also Read:
- Forrest Foundation Fellowship Australia 2026 Fully Funded
- Max Planck Doucet Scholarship Germany 2026 Fully Funded
- British Council UK 90th Anniversary Fellowship 2026 (Fully Funded)
Required Application Documents
Applicants must submit the following via Yale’s official portal:
- Curriculum Vitae (max. 3 pages)
- Personal Statement (max. 600 words) outlining motivation, leadership achievements, and future climate impact goals
- One Letter of Recommendation from a senior referee (e.g., supervisor or sector leader)
- Optional Video Statement (brief personal introduction)
A streamlined online application ensures efficiency—no paper forms or fees.
Deadline & Timeline
- Application Deadline: Usually in November 2025 (2025’s cycle closed on Nov 8, 2024)
- Review & Selection: Shortlisting and interviews from late 2025 into early 2026
- Decision Announced: Early 2026
- Orientation Week at Yale: April 2026
- Remote Sessions: May–July 2026
- Closing Week in Paris: September 2026
Fellows are expected to attend all sessions fully.
How to Apply
- Prepare your documents: CV, personal statement, recommendation, optional video
- Create an account on Yale Jackson School fellowship portal
- Complete the online application, upload documents and optional video
- Submit before November 2025 deadline
Apply here: jackson.yale.edu/international‑leadership‑center/climate/how‑to‑apply/
Fellowship Summary
| Fellowship | Yale Emerging Climate Leaders Fellowship 2026 |
|---|---|
| Host | Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs |
| Locations | New Haven, USA; Remote; Paris, France |
| Duration | 5 months |
| Coverage | Airfare, accommodation, transfers, per diem |
| Eligibility | 5–10 years professional experience; Global South |
| Language | Fluent in English |
| Application Deadline | Typically November 2025 |
| Apply Via | Yale Jackson School Fellowship Portal |
Why Apply?
- Global Leadership Development: Equip yourself with knowledge and networks among climate and energy leaders
- Top-Level Mentorship: Engage with Yale faculty, IEA and OECD experts
- Fully Funded: No financial barrier to participation
- Global Cohort: Network with peers across sectors and regions
- Career Impact: Strengthened credentials for public, private, or NGO leadership
If you are a driven climate or clean energy practitioner with a record of impact, prepare your documents now, and apply during November 2025 at the Yale Jackson fellowship portal. Let me know if you’d like support drafting your personal statement or recommendation strategy!