Climate Justice Fellowship (NY) Grant

Funder: New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)

The Climate Justice Fellowship, funded by NYSERDA, invites organizations to host a full-time fellow for one year to advance climate justice and clean energy initiatives in Disadvantaged Communities. Eligible fellows, who must be NYS residents from Priority Populations, will receive a salary and professional development support. NYSERDA aims to fund approximately 150 fellowships by 2026, with a total budget of $6 million. Host employers must apply to confirm eligibility and facilitate fellows' projects.

NOTE: NYSERDA will accept applications from organizations wishing to host fellows on a continuous rolling basis until the final due date on this PON or until funds are expended, whichever comes first.
NYSERDA is seeking applications from organizations who wish to host a full-time Climate Justice Fellow for 1 year. NYSERDA will fund the fellow’s salary as well as professional development and/or wraparound services. Fellows must be NYS residents and members of a Priority Population and/or reside in a Disadvantaged Community. Host employers must be working to advance climate justice / clean energy priorities for Disadvantaged Communities. It is anticipated that fellows will work with community-based organizations, universities, municipalities, tribal nations, career technology education (CTE) programs for K-12 schools, public libraries, climate tech innovators/start-ups, venture development organizations and clean energy businesses.
It is expected that fellows will assist with community engagement activities (e.g., plan, policy, or project), support clean energy project development and implementation, facilitate partnership building, support clean energy innovation companies, or engage in other projects related to advancing climate justice and clean energy priorities in Disadvantaged Communities.
NYSERDA anticipates funding approximately 150 fellowships through 2026, and will work with State and federal agencies, non-profits, foundations, and other partners to leverage existing resources, wraparound services, training, and professional development opportunities. For eligible host employers, the total award amount is capped at $40,000 per fellow.
Host employers must submit a Host Employer Application to confirm their eligibility for the program. Once selected host employers will then be invited to identify fellows, by submitting Fellow Applications, or selecting them from NYSERDA’s fellow directory. Upon approval of the fellow candidate, the host employers submit a Fellowship Application and Fellowship Plan. After a brief review and approval period, fellows can begin work. Fellows across different organizations will be assembled into cohorts on a quarterly basis and mandatory professional development support services for fellows will be provided for 12 months per cohort.
A total of $6 Million in funding is available for this program. Funding may be adjusted based on demand and availability of additional funds.