Fully‑funded five‑month fellowship for Global South climate leaders Yale Emerging Climate Leaders Fellowship: Apply Now!

 Yale Emerging Climate Leaders Fellowship – A Life‑changing Opportunity

Imagine joining a global network of 16 climate and clean energy professionals from the Global South, hosted by Yale University, and diving into transformative leadership training over five months. That’s the Yale Emerging Climate Leaders Fellowship in a nutshell—a fully funded, hybrid program that blends immersive learning, high-impact networking and real-world collaboration to empower next‑generation climate leaders.

 Why This Fellowship Matters

The Emerging Climate Leaders Fellowship, organized by Yale's International Leadership Center (ILC) at the Jackson School of Global Affairs, brings together young professionals from Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America with:

• Strong track records in climate action, clean energy or sustainability
• Representation from diverse sectors: government, NGOs, business, academia, finance, media, law ([search3])
• A shared mission: influencing climate solutions and clean energy policy at local, regional and global levels

Under the leadership of Ambassador Paul Simons, founding director and former IEA Deputy Executive Director, the program fosters collaboration with global authorities like the IEA and OECD (

 Program Structure – What to Expect

Duration & Format

• Total Duration: 5 months (February–June 2026)
• Hybrid format: 2 one-week in-person residencies (Yale in USA, Paris in France) + five remote Learning Journeys between sessions

Key Dates & Location

Module	Dates	Location
Yale Orientation	Feb 16–20, 2026	New Haven, USA
Remote Learning	March–June 2026	Virtual sessions
Paris Closing Week	June 15–19, 2026	Paris, France

All travel, accommodation, transfers and per diem are fully covered. No application or participation fees

Eligibility & Selection Criteria

Who Should Apply?

• Climate or clean energy professionals with 5–10 years of impactful experience
• From the Global South: Africa, Asia, Middle East, Latin America/Caribbean
• Applicants from sectors like government, energy, finance, academia, NGOs, journalism, law, etc.
• Fluent in English, with availability for both in-person modules and remote sessions

What Selection Committees Look For

• Demonstrated professional achievements
• Clear leadership potential and vision for climate impact
• Desire to build a global network and collaborate with peers and experts
• Commitment to advancing climate solutions in their home context

How to Apply – Step‑by‑Step Application Process

1. Create an account on Yale’s fellowship portal
2. Complete online application: no paper submissions or fees
3. Submit required documents:
• Résumé/CV (max 3 pages)
• Personal statement (~600 words)
• Optional brief video statement
• One letter of recommendation
4. Submit before 1 August 2025, 11:59 a.m. deadline
5. Wait for announcement of final cohort of 16 fellows

Note: application is free and fully online. (Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs)

Fellowship Benefits – What You’ll Gain

• Fully funded travel, accommodation, meals, and in-person module costs
• Direct access to Yale faculty and global leaders in climate and energy
• Collaborative group project with peers from diverse regions
• Deepened technical knowledge in climate policy, finance, energy transition
• Global network with lifelong connections across sectors and continents

FAQs

Q1: Is there an application fee?
No, there’s no fee to apply or participate. All related costs are covered. (Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs)

Q2: Who qualifies as “Global South”?
Applicants should come from developing countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, or Latin America/Caribbean. 

Q3: How competitive is admission?
Extremely competitive. Only 16 fellows are selected annually from diverse sectors and geographies.

Q4: Are video statements required?
No, they’re optional. You must submit a CV, personal statement, and a recommendation letter. A video can enhance your profile.

Q5: Must applicants be in a specific sector?
No. Backgrounds welcomed include public policy, clean energy, civil society, academia, finance, media, law, and more. Diversity matters.

Conclusion & Call to Action

The Yale Emerging Climate Leaders Fellowship is a rare and prestigious opportunity to accelerate your career, expand your network, and elevate your impact in climate and clean energy policy. If you’ve been working purposefully in the Global South and have a vision for change, this fellowship can be your launchpad.

✨ Next Steps:

• Mark your calendar: Application deadline is 1 August 2025
• Prepare your materials: CV, personal statement, recommendation letter, optional video
• Apply online early, and make sure you can attend both in‑person modules in February and June

Join a global community ready to lead climate action. Visit Yale’s Emerging Climate Leaders Fellowship portal and submit your application today. We wish you the best in shaping a cleaner, more equitable future!