16 fellowships to advance your career in 2025

The opinions expressed here by Trellis expert contributors are their own, not those of Trellis.​

The climate and sustainability fellowships landscape has shifted since I last shared a list of 18 opportunities three years ago. Some programs from my original article are no longer running — such as the Presidential Management Fellows program, terminated in February — while others (especially those funded by AmeriCorps) face major uncertainty due to staffing cuts, grant cancellations and the withholding of appropriated funds.    

But there is plenty of good news, too. Many new programs have emerged and in addition to the fellowships listed below, several colleges and universities are running their own. Both the Colorado State University Impact MBA Corporate Sustainability Fellowship and University of New Hampshire Sustainability Fellowship, for example, enable students to solve sustainability challenges for organizations within their region and beyond. It’s also encouraging to see more fellowships related to a wider scope of sustainability, providing opportunities in impact investing, zero waste, sustainable food systems and climate resilience.  

Below are 16 programs that can help students and working professionals advance their sustainability careers. A handful don’t officially call themselves “fellowships,” but each program on this list offers a fellowship-like combination of training, experience, support and community designed to help participants succeed professionally.  

Opportunities for current students or recent graduates

The Global Warming Mitigation Project’s Constellations Fellowship

The Constellations Fellowship connects students and recent graduates with paid, virtual work experiences at the forefront of climate innovation. Fellows are matched with organizations from the Global Warming Mitigation Project’s international network of Keeling Curve Prize Laureates and Finalists, a community recognized for driving some of the world’s most effective climate solutions. Throughout a 12- to 14-week fellowship, participants contribute meaningful work that supports climate action while gaining real-world professional experience, mentorship and a global perspective.

• Audience: Undergraduate students and recent graduates
• Approximate number of fellows per year: 120
• Location: Remote
• Timing: 12 to 14 weeks, hours vary by host organization
• Compensation: $1,000 stipend
• Next application deadline: Sept. 8

The Better Food Foundation DefaultVeg Program

DefaultVeg Ambassadors encourage their campuses to adopt climate-smart, plant-forward food and promote a broader cultural shift toward sustainable and inclusive food services. The program provides students with training and structured support for collaborating with university decision makers to adopt plant-based defaults and nudges. 

• Audience: Current students of any experience level
• Approximate number of fellows per year: 100
• Location: Virtual training with on-site engagement at your campus
• Timing: 9 months, 15 hours per month beginning in September
• Compensation: $1,000 grant
• Next application deadline: Sept. 10

The Atlas Zero Waste Fellowship

The Atlas Zero Waste fellowship trains young leaders to usher their campuses through the process of establishing zero waste commitments, action plans and return on investment analyses. Fellows perform holistic qualitative assessments, facilitate stakeholders to create strategies that overcome campus silos and bureaucratic challenges, and develop a long-term proposal for the infrastructure and logistics needed to achieve zero waste.

• Audience: Current students
• Approximate number of fellows per year: 35
• Location: Virtual training with on-site campus engagement
• Timing: 10 weeks, 5 hours per week
• Compensation: Varies by school
• Next application deadline: Rolling

The ClimateCAP Fellowship 

The ClimateCAP Fellowship is a cohort-based experience that empowers MBA students to become the next generation of climate leaders and changemakers. Fellows learn from guest experts and academic advisers, build community with each other and work on an applied climate-related project with publishable results.

• Audience: MBA students
• Approximate number of fellows per year: 16
• Location: Virtual, with an in-person event at the ClimateCAP Summit
• Timing: 11 months beginning in February
• Compensation: 2026 stipend amount TBD
• Next application deadline: December

Impact Capital Managers Mosaic Fellowship

The ICM Mosaic Fellowship provides first-year graduate students with the opportunity to be a summer associate at an ICM member fund. Fellows have exposure to all areas of fund management including market research, deal sourcing and due diligence, impact measurement, and management and fundraising.

• Audience: First-year graduate students
• Approximate number of fellows per year: 25
• Location: New York City
• Timing: 10 weeks from mid-June to mid-August
• Compensation: $20,000 stipend
• Next application deadline: Dec. 2

The Environmental Defense Fund Climate Corps Fellowship

EDF Climate Corps Fellows help their host organizations accomplish their climate and emission reduction goals. Fellows work over the summer to design tools and recommendations for reducing energy consumption, procuring renewable energy, electrifying fleets, road-mapping emission targets, advancing climate justice and managing climate risk.  

• Audience: Graduate students
• Approximate number of fellows per year: 100
• Location: Remote or at host organizations across the U.S.
• Timing: Full-time for 10 to 12 weeks over the summer
• Compensation: Stipend of at least $1,400 per week
• Next application deadline: Dec. 22

United Nations Academic Impact Millennium Fellowship

This semester-long, on-campus leadership development program enables students to lead projects that advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals within their communities.

• Audience: Undergraduate students
• Approximate number of fellows per year: 3,000-plus globally in cohorts of eight to 20 students per school
• Location: On campuses worldwide
• Timing: Fall semester
• Compensation: None
• Next application deadline: Early 2026

Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy (WRISE) Wind Power Fellowships

Wind Power Fellows receive free access to the American Clean Power Association’s CLEANPOWER conference, specialized program content, and mentoring and networking opportunities in the wind energy industry.

• Audience: Undergraduates, graduate students or recent graduates identifying as a woman or other marginalized gender
• Approximate number of fellows per year: 10
• Location: Virtual meetings and in-person attendance of the CLEANPOWER conference
• Timing: Two months centered around the CLEANPOWER conference in May
• Compensation: Free access to the conference including tickets, travel, meals and lodging expenses, and a free year of WRISE membership
• Next application deadline: Early 2026

Rachel Carson Council Fellowship

The Rachel Carson Council Fellowship Program provides students with a passion for environmental education, organizing and advocacy with training, mentorship and financial support for projects that address sustainability and justice issues on their campus. 

• Audience: Graduate and undergraduate students
• Approximate number of fellows per year: 30
• Location: Training in Washington, D.C., remote work on U.S. campuses
• Timing: Training in the summer, fellowship work throughout the academic year
• Compensation: $2,000 stipend
• Next application deadline: Spring 2026

The Rising Solar Power Fellowship

The Rising Solar fellowship program is a partnership between GRID Alternatives and WRISE to give aspiring solar professionals from diverse backgrounds the opportunity to pursue a career in renewable energy. Fellows receive free access to the RE+ conference, exclusive program content, mentoring and networking opportunities and the chance to collaborate with fellowship peers and alumni.  

• Audience: Current or recent graduates of a college, university or technical certificate program
• Approximate number of fellows per year: 8
• Location: Attend the RE+ conference in person, virtual meetings before and after
• Timing: One month, Aug. 13-Sept. 18
• Compensation: Free registration, travel and lodging for the conference
• Next application deadline: Summer 2026

Part-time opportunities for working professionals

U.S. Green Building Council California Green Building Corps Program

The Green Building Corps is a professional development program from USGBC California that provides project-based work experience, training and certifications, mentorship, career support and networking opportunities to people interested in a career in sustainability and buildings. Participants support California’s transformation into a more sustainable, resilient and equitable region for all.  

• Audience: Students and working professionals
• Approximate number of fellows per year: 30
• Location: California-based remote and hybrid
• Timing: 6 months, 10 hours per week beginning in October or May
• Compensation: Training and certification reimbursement, USGBC-CA membership
• Next application deadline: Fall cohort: Sept. 19, spring cohort: April 17, 2026

Morgridge Family Foundation Morgridge Acceleration Program Fellowship

MAP Fellows are paired with influential nonprofit executives to help them solve social impact challenges currently facing their organizations.  

• Audience: Working professionals
• Approximate number of fellows per year: 12
• Location: Virtual with a few trips for training and site visits
• Timing: 6 months, 15 hours per month
• Compensation: All travel expenses paid, host organization receives up to $5,000 for projects
• Next application deadline: Sept. 29

E2 (Environmental Entrepreneurs) 1 Hotels Fellowship

1 Hotels Fellows work on projects that amplify the business and economic case for smart policies in clean economy, clean energy, food and agriculture, building electrification and performance, transportation electrification and clean water. 

• Audience: Early to mid-career professionals with a project proposal
• Approximate number of fellows per year: 6
• Location: Various locations across the U.S.
• Timing: One-year commitment beginning in December
• Compensation: $20,000 stipend
• Next application deadline: Summer 2026

Full-time opportunities for professionals

The SEI Climate Corps Fellowship

The SEI Climate Corps provides emerging leaders with professional opportunities at government organizations, nonprofits and for-profit businesses. Fellows work on projects that span all facets of sustainability including environmental justice, corporate sustainability, resiliency, renewable energy, transportation, facilities, education, waste reduction and conservation. Fellows on the Strategic Energy Management track receive specialized professional training such as Building Operator or University of California Climate Stewards certification to enable them to better support energy managers and facilities teams at their host organizations. 

• Audience: Early-career professionals
• Approximate number of fellows per year: 65
• Location: Various locations throughout the U.S. 
• Timing: Full-time for 10 to 12 months starting in September, January, March or June
• Compensation: $3,450-plus/month plus benefits
• Next application deadline: Rolling, most openings posted in the spring and summer

GRID Alternatives SolarCorps Fellowship 

The SolarCorps Fellowship connects underrepresented talent with hands-on experiences in the clean energy industry to advance economic and environmental justice. Projects span multiple areas including solar, battery and EV charger installation; solar design, operations and maintenance; project management and development; clean mobility; solar workforce development and training; and community outreach. 

• Audience: Adults 18-plus, no experience necessary
• Approximate number of fellows per year: 35
• Location: California, Washington D.C, New Mexico, remote
• Timing: Full-time for 11 months starting in September
• Compensation: $40,800/year plus benefits
• Next application deadline: Rolling applications open in May, submit an interest form

FUSE Executive Fellowship

FUSE embeds private-sector executives in city and county agencies to lead projects that improve public services and accelerate systems change. Projects support solutions in climate resilience, justice, affordable housing, economic mobility, public safety, infrastructure, technology and more.

• Audience: Professionals with 15-plus years of private-sector experience
• Approximate number of fellows per year: 15
• Location: Various locations throughout the U.S.
• Timing: Full-time for one or two years, starting in spring or fall
• Compensation: $80,000/year plus benefits
• Next application deadline: Rolling