EDF Climate Corps Fellows Programme 2026
- Omran Aburayya
- Oct 14
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 16
If you’re a passionate graduate student eager to make a measurable impact on climate change while gaining hands-on professional experience, the EDF Climate Corps Fellows Programme 2026 is now accepting applications. Organized by the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), this prestigious summer fellowship places top graduate students in leading organizations across the U.S. to develop practical solutions for energy efficiency, sustainability, and climate strategy.
🚀 Programme Summary
Location: United States (remote, hybrid or in-person placements)
Host Institution: Partner organizations across private, public, nonprofit sectors working with EDF (Environmental Defense Fund)
Career Level: Graduate students (master’s, graduate certificates)
Target Group: Graduate-level candidates motivated to build careers in climate, sustainability, energy, environmental strategy
Focus Areas:
Climate strategy & roadmaps
Energy efficiency & renewables
Supply chain & Scope 3 emissions
Sustainable finance
Climate-smart agriculture / food systems
Fleet electrification / zero-emission vehicles
Environmental justice / equity
Coverage:
USD 1,400 / week for 10–12 weeks
Additional USD 1,400 for participation in Foundations Week (virtual pre-training)
Duration: 10–12 weeks (summer) + 1 week Foundations Week
Application Deadline: December 22, 2025, 11:59 pm Pacific Time
Start Date / Period: Foundations Week in late May 2026 (virtual); summer placement June–September (exact weeks vary)
Eligible To: Graduate students enrolled during 2025–2026 academic year (or graduating in fall or spring 2026) who are eligible to work in U.S. over the summer
🏛️ Programme Overview
Structure & Curriculum
Foundations Week (late May, virtual)
All selected fellows participate in a training bootcamp before their summer placement. This week provides core skills, orientation, and cohort bonding.
Summer Fellowship (10–12 weeks, June–September)
Fellows are embedded in host organizations (companies, NGOs, governmental bodies) to carry out real, high-impact climate projects. Projects are matched to your interests and skills as well as host needs.
Work hours are full-time (~ 40 hours/week) unless otherwise stated.
Project modalities may be remote, hybrid, or in-person depending on the host and location.
Support, Mentorship & Cohort Engagement
Throughout the summer, EDF provides support via an Engagement Manager, expert resources, webinars, and peer networking.
Fellows deliver final deliverables and recommendations to both their host and EDF at program end.
Post-fellowship, fellows may join the Climate Corps alumni network and be considered for awards or future opportunities.
Matching & Placement Process
After passing initial screening, applicants review participating host organizations and rank preferences. EDF arranges interviews, and if matched, hosts and fellows finalize placement.
🎁 Benefits & Support
Competitive weekly stipend (USD 1,400) for summer work, plus USD 1,400 for Foundations Week.
Access to professional development, training, webinars, and mentorship via EDF and partners.
Networking opportunities with climate professionals, EDF staff, host organizations, and peers.
Real-world impact: your project recommendations may be adopted or guide host organization strategy.
Participation in the Climate Corps alumni community.
Note: EDF does not provide housing, local transportation, or relocation support. If any host offers such accommodations, it will be explicitly noted in that project’s description.
✅ Eligibility Criteria
To apply, you must:
Be currently enrolled in a graduate degree or graduate certificate program during the 2025–2026 academic year (or graduating in fall 2025 / spring 2026)
Be eligible to work in the United States during summer 2026 (i.e. satisfy work authorization / visa requirements)
Be available to attend Foundations Week (virtually) in late May 2026
Commit to full-time work during the 10–12 week placement, adhere to host’s HR policies, and deliver agreed-upon final outputs
Possess strong skills in quantitative and qualitative analysis, project management, communication across stakeholders, and a passion for climate / sustainability challenges
📝 Application Procedure
Prepare in advance
Sign up for email alerts via EDF’s mailing list to get announcements.
Review past project database to become familiar with project types and framing.
Attend or watch recruitment info sessions / alumni panels to understand expectations and tips.
Submit application by December 22, 2025 (11:59 pm PT)
Early application by November 30 grants access to a special network event
You’ll fill out: academic history, work experience, project interests, essays, references
Application Review & Project Matching
EDF reviews applications, advances selected candidates to interview stage
Candidates interview with prospective hosts (February–March timeframe)
Offer & Confirmation
If matched, you’ll be given a placement offer and time to accept or decline.
Finalize start date, orientation, and project plan with host and EDF.
Onboarding & Fellowship Execution
Begin with Foundations Week in May, then dive into project work over summer.
Deliverables and recommendations to host & EDF by end of fellowship period.
Post-Fellowship
Join alumni network, explore follow-up opportunities or continuing impact work.
🔍 Additional Notes & Tips
Because the matching process considers both your preferences and host needs, it’s beneficial to rank multiple projects and remain flexible about location or modality (remote vs in-person).
Hosts are expected to provide supervisory support, access to necessary data, and workspace or equipment.
EDF suggests supervisors complete harassment training in host organizations to ensure fellows’ work environment is strong.
There is no guarantee of conversion to a full-time role after the fellowship — though some hosts may extend offers depending on needs.