Global Energy, Climate, and Sustainability Fellows Program
The GECS Lab Global Energy, Climate, and Sustainability Fellows program is designed to give NYU graduate degree students hands-on experience in the world of energy and food access and climate-related and community-based resilience and well-being.
Applications are closed for this year. Sign up to be notified for the Summer 2027 program.
The GECS Lab Global Energy, Climate, and Sustainability Fellows program is designed to give NYU Graduate Students hands-on experience in the world of energy, sustainability, and climate action. Each year, students will be selected to participate in a rigorous summer fellowship experiential learning opportunity working alongside leaders from diverse areas such as the private sector, environmental non-profits, multilateral agencies, and government.
Through their Global Energy, Climate, and Sustainability Fellows’ experiences, students will be able to broaden their knowledge of sustainability practice, build leadership skills, and gain valuable work experience in the fields of energy, sustainability, and climate solutions. During and following the program, Global Energy, Climate, and Sustainability Fellows will be able to exchange learnings and experiences with the broader SPS Center for Global Affairs community and extend SPS’s sustainability practice across a wider spectrum of students and professional networks.
2026 PROGRAM
Applications are closed for this year. Sign up to be notified for the Summer 2027 program.
Program Overview
Global Energy, Climate, and Sustainability Fellowships take place during the summer semester. During the 8-week program, students will be expected to commit a standard 35 hours per week and will receive an $8,000 stipend for the fellowship. Prior to the program, students will engage in an orientation, review assigned readings, and engage in related skills modules as preparation. As a part of the project deliverables, Global Energy, Climate, and Sustainability Fellows will create a written report and two presentations - one for the host organization and the other to be presented at an NYU event with the general public.
The 8-week Fellowship will take place between June and August, with exact dates determined by Fellows and Project Hosts during the Project Scoping phase. During the duration of the project, Fellows will have alternating weekly check-ins with GECS Lab.
Program Highlights
- A stipend to support a climate-sustainability-oriented summer research project or experiential learning activity.
- Program orientation for participating fellows to network and prepare for their experiential learning activity, internship, or research project.
- Post-activity read-out public event at the CGA to share learnings and experiences.
Selection Process
The Global Energy, Climate, and Sustainability Fellows program is open to all enrolled NYU graduate students who qualify for summer engagements.
Applications must be received by 11:59 PM, March 15, 2026.
Finalists will be required to interview via Zoom with the Selection Committee in March 2026.
Eligibility Requirements
- Both part-time and full-time, domestic and international, graduate students are eligible (must be in good academic standing)
- Enrollment or matriculation during the Summer 2026 semester. Students who graduate in Spring 2026 are not eligible for this opportunity.
- Completion of at least one Spring/Fall semester at NYU is required by the START of Spring 2026
- Students attending NYU with F-1 or J-1 status are eligible to apply as long as they fulfill all other requirements for the stipend and maintain their immigration status. Please contact OGS to learn more about authorization for unpaid internships and volunteer work, and for more information regarding taxes that may be assessed for the stipend.
For F-1 students who have an SSN/ITIN:
- Please be aware that the stipend is subject to taxation depending on your citizenship, which will be assessed prior to the award.
- Because the stipend is considered taxable income, the University will issue students the appropriate tax documentation to include with their annual IRS filing.
For F-1 students who do NOT have an SSN/ITIN:
- Please be aware that the stipend is subject to taxation depending on your citizenship, which will be assessed prior to the award.
- Because the stipend is considered taxable income, the University will issue students the appropriate tax documentation to include with their annual IRS filing.
- To obtain your ITIN (this can be done in advance or as a part of your annual tax filing with the IRS):
- Make an appointment at a designated IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center in order to request an ITIN. This will also prevent you from having to mail your proof of identity and foreign status document.
- After processing, the IRS will issue your ITIN through the mail.
Finalists will be required to interview via Zoom with the Selection Committee in March.
PROGRAM TIMELINE
February 2026
- Applications Open
March 2026
- Applications Due by 11:59 PM on Sunday, March 15, 2026
- Virtual Interviews with Finalist Candidates (end of March)
- Global Energy, Climate Justice, and Sustainability Fellows will be notified by the end of the month
April 2026
- TBD - Program Orientation and Overview; Review of Required Readings and Skills Modules
May 2026
- TBD, 5:00 - 6:30 pm - Reception with Hosts
June 2026
- Projects Begin
- Alternating weekly check-ins with GECS Lab
July 2026
- Alternating weekly check-ins with GECS Lab
August 2026
- Projects conclude
- By the end of the month - project delivery/presentation to hosts
September/October 2026
- NYU Public Event with Project Presentations
APPLICATION
Applications are closed for this year. Sign up to be notified for the Summer 2027 program.
A selection committee comprising NYU Faculty and Administration will consider applications. No applications will be considered after the application deadline.
The short answer portion is one of the most important portions of the review process, so make sure to be detailed and informed in your responses. Each answer should be no more than 500 words.
Application Components:
- Complete Application Form
- One Statement of Interest (500 words max)
- Unofficial Academic Transcript
- Current Resume
- Two professional references
- Video Introduction (3-5 minutes)
If you have any questions about this form or need another accessible format, please email ECJSLab@nyu.edu and we would be happy to assist you
Sample Projects
Global Climate Justice Fellows 2026 Projects and Hosts
NATIONAL GRID US
National Grid is one of the largest investor-owned energy companies in the United States, serving more than 20 million people throughout New York and Massachusetts through its electricity and natural gas networks.
The fellow will work with National Grid to provide a background report on the role that innovative distributed energy systems can play in helping National Grid improve customer energy affordability while meeting climate and system reliability goals. As AI-driven electric load, particularly from data centers and large manufacturers, continues to grow, utilities face both new cost pressures and innovation opportunities. The fellow will assess emerging business models, including behind the meter solutions, for meeting growing demand for electricity in New York and Massachusetts.
US SIF
US SIF is a collaborative network that works to advance sustainable investing in the United States. The fellow will undertake research investigating how top companies and investors are currently implementing sustainability criteria to manage supply chains and meet stakeholder demands and preferences and to consider changing geopolitical and regulatory landscapes. The research will inform a white paper on how sustainability and impact policies and targets is applied to road mapping continued opportunities and risks in today’s corporate landscape.
CORBU
CORBU is a research intelligence and investment advisory firm with offices in New York, Texas and Abu Dhabi. Known for its macro research on capital markets and national security matters, CORBU has wide distribution across large financial institutions and official sector clients around the world. The fellow will work on a research project and visualizations of data related to critical US international supply chains strategies and geo-economic trends in light of the disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
OCTOPUS ENERGY
Octopus Energy is global an energy transition collective with 10 businesses working across four continents to tackle energy transformation in solar and wind energy, heat pumps, electric car chargers smart meters and other emerging clean tech hardware and software. The fellow will investigate electricity outage data and curtailed wind and solar production in the United States and analyze opportunities for innovative distributed energy and battery storage structures to optimize efficiency in a variety of electricity markets in the U.S. southwest.
SOLAR ONE
Solar One is a not for profit organization focused on sustainability and resilience through education, training, and technical assistance in New York City.
The fellows will assist Solar One in identifying and contacting potential community-based organizations, attending outreach events in various neighborhoods across New York City, and directly engaging with residents to listen to their energy-related concerns and needs. The fellows will also collaborate with Solar One’s team to develop digital campaign content related to the utility-based solar energy programs available to low-income households, including SNAP recipients, to help reduce energy costs. The work includes helping to design visual materials aligned with listening session insights.
EIN
The Fellow will support EIN’ s member resources infrastructure by conducting a comprehensive review and update of IEN's existing library of Investment Policy Statement (IPS) examples — a curated collection of real-world IPS documents from higher education endowments and foundations that reflects sustainable and mission-aligned investing practices. The Fellow will use AI-assisted tools to systematically assess the current database for completeness, relevance, and alignment with current sustainability frameworks and fiduciary standards. Based on this analysis, the Fellow will help refresh and expand the data base and analyze key findings and trends across the updated library.
EAST NEW YORK FARMS
In East New York, access to traditional grocery stores is limited, while community gardens are a significant and established part of the neighborhood’s food landscape. East New York Farms! is a community-powered urban agriculture initiative that enhances food sovereignty and resilience in Brooklyn, New York. The fellow will research the impact East New York Farms has on the local food system in its neighborhood by comparing the size and scale of its ecosystem of partners and local urban farms as well as the annual tally of its provision of fresh food directly to the community. To assess East New York’s economic resilience and the affordability of locally available produce, a price comparison will be conducted using the USDA’s national average produce prices as a baseline and accessibility was mapped by comparing the distance to area grocery stores.
Global Climate Justice Fellows 2025 Projects and Hosts
Google: Importance of grid and carbon free energy to develop new data centers and electricity networks in Africa
This project examines how renewable energy can support Africa’s expanding digital infrastructure. It synthesizes a market feasibility assessment, power portfolio modeling, and case studies of existing data centers to evaluate opportunities across Kenya, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and South Africa. The work provides a strategic framework for siting future data centers that balance cost, reliability, and sustainability and considers how investment in microgrids and other renewable energy assets can broaden economic opportunities and promote energy access.
Hydro-Quebec: U.S. Canadian Energy Market Outlook
This project included the organization of a scenarios planning exercise conducted by Hydro-Québec in collaboration with the Energy, Climate Justice, and Sustainability Lab. The exercise explored four possible futures for U.S.-Canadian energy markets, testing Hydro-Québec’s 2035 Action Plan against key uncertainties including trade tensions, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and climate change. By comparing these scenarios, the project highlighted potential challenges and opportunities and offered recommendations for building resilience, diversifying markets, and expanding Hydro-Québec premiere role in North America’s clean energy transition.
MN8 Energy: Regulatory Frameworks and Long-term Transmission Planning for Clean Energy Development
This project examined how regional transmission organization PJM Interconnection can strengthen its transmission planning to comply with FERC Order 1920 and prepare for future system needs. The analysis studied four priority areas: integrating state and federal policy goals, refining approaches to modeling generator retirements, treating extreme weather as a core planning driver, and expanding the role of advanced transmission technologies. By comparing PJM’s framework with practices in MISO and SPP, the research outlines practical steps to bring PJM’s planning more closely in line with the intent of Order 1920 and to ensure the grid is ready for high renewable energy scenarios at affordable prices for rate payers across the 13 states that constitute the service area for the RTO.
National Grid: Utility Environmental Justice Framework
This project supported the development of an Equity and Environmental Justice (EJ) Framework for electricity and natural gas delivery utility National Grid, which aims to ensure that the clean energy transition delivers fair, transparent, and measurable benefits to EJ communities. The project’s objective was to build accountability structures and clear equity targets—focusing on procedural, distributional, and structural equity—to address historic disparities while creating pathways for affordable energy access, improved public health, and clean energy jobs. Proposed solutions emphasized building credibility through specific goal setting, inclusive stakeholder engagement, and accessible public information to strengthen trust and enable early community participation in infrastructure planning.
Caban Systems Inc: Decarbonization Solutions for Remote Energy and Telecommunications Infrastructure in Latin America and Caribbean
This project helped renewable energy developer Caban Systems, which brings storage and solar solutions to remote regions in Latin America, improve its internal business process systems to allow the company to speed production of client facing proposals and internal training materials. The improvement in internal communications systems supported tracking of opportunities to help developing countries decarbonize telecommunications systems while enhancing affordability and reliability.
East New York Farms: Measuring Environmental, Educational and Health Impacts of Urban Farming
East New York Farms! is a community-powered urban agriculture initiative that enhances food sovereignty and environmental resilience in Brooklyn, NY. The project evaluated the farm’s potential for carbon sequestration through crop production and composting practices and quantified its contribution to greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction.
The project measured how ENYF’s integration of regenerative growing methods and community composting generates significant environmental value, sequestering carbon in soils and diverting organic waste from landfills, thus avoiding methane emissions. The project also measured drainage impact of the farm’s operations and found that by transforming the vacant lot into managed, vegetated farmland, peak runoff flow rates and total flood volumes are reduced by approximately 60%. The farm’s rainwater collection system stores an additional 825 gallons of water that would otherwise contribute to localized stormwater runoff and flooding, potentially harming local residential buildings and businesses in a low-income community in East New York, Brooklyn.
Solar One: Financing for Building Electrification and Solar
This project examined how New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) and related mechanisms like the Cap-and-Invest Program, NYSERDA incentives, shape the feasibility of pairing solar and electrification for low and moderate-income households. The project included an evaluation of programs such as the Pratt Center pilot, which offers a real-time case study on modifying low-income homes with energy efficiency, partial electrification, and solar.
EcoRise: Building Climate Education and Teaching Resources
The accelerating impacts of climate change, coupled with deepening social and environmental disparities, underscore the critical need for transformative educational approaches that cultivate environmental literacy, civic engagement, and climate resilience from an early age. EcoRise is a nationally recognized nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing environmental literacy and sustainability education in K–12 schools. This project was to assist EcoRise to identify potential additional community partners for future programming and to assist a local teacher to develop a survey instrument that can be used to expand visibility on how climate and energy related education programs like those created by EcoRise reach and are received by the broader community in New York City.
Global Climate Justice Fellows 2024 Projects and Hosts
UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs
As an intern with the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, I was primarily responsible for assisting with preparations for the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. In this role, I helped to coordinate the presentations of the Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) and the thematic VNR labs as well as facilitate the Ministerial Declaration negotiations. Additionally, I co-authored the biennial Secretary-General Report on Human Resource Development. From these experiences, I gained invaluable insight into the dynamics of the UN system and regional approaches to sustainable development.
National Grid
Buildings currently make up about one-third of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in New York State; in order to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions and advance the state’s ambitious climate justice goals, the removal of fossil fuels from buildings’ energy systems is crucial. The electrification of heating systems has proven to be a critical decarbonization strategy for New York, however, transitioning entire energy grids to meet electrification goals poses significant financial, practical, and equitable challenges to state and city municipalities. This study focuses on these challenges, with a particular focus on the affordability of the energy transition, including the upfront and ongoing costs of electrification, through heat pump installations. Through finding solutions for these issues, New York can help find an affordable pathway for its low-income households—a key climate justice target through the energy transition.
East NY Farms!
East New York Farms! Project (a Project of United Community Centers, Inc.) is a collaborative project whose mission is to organize youth and adult residents to address food issues in the community by promoting local and regional sustainable agriculture and community-based economic development. Their community-facing programs include weekly Farmers’ Markets, community gardener workshops, youth internship programs, and free food distribution programs, among others. The overall goal is to create a sustainable food system that will increase food security in East NY.
During the six-week fellowship, we supported ENYF! in designing and creating program assessments, tracking and gathering input data, and conducting community research to support urban agriculture educational efforts and maintain a sustainable food system.
Through our work collecting data and community research, we were able to draft sample documents to enhance outreach, such as printed menus and recipe cards, to the people attending their cooking demos and workshops and identify gaps in community knowledge about available programs and areas for more effective capacity building.
Solar One
Over a six-week period, we collaborated with Solar One for New York State's Clean Energy Communities Program (CECP) to run a community campaign promoting the Community Solar program. This initiative allows New York City renters and homeowners to benefit from solar panel energy without the need for rooftop installations, leading to savings on their Con Edison energy bills. Our efforts included developing and implementing outreach methods such as digital campaigns, brochures, and flyers to effectively reach potential subscribers. Additionally, we conducted surveys to gather feedback from the current subscribers. Despite facing some challenges, we successfully achieved several key wins and targets.