FAQ – US Climate Corps Fellows

Companies, cities, universities and nonprofits of any size, located anywhere throughout the United States, can hire an Climate Corps fellow. A list of current year host organizations will be available to candidates during the interview process and fellows are matched with host organizations based on their location, industry and project type preferences. See a full list of past organizations here.

In 2023, we placed 182 fellows within 140+ organizations in the US, China, and India. The number of fellows changes each year and depends on the number of organizations participating in the program.

Applicants cannot apply to a specific organization, but a list of 2025 host organizations and projects will be available to qualified candidates. Applicants will be able to indicate their preferences for organization, project, location and sector. Fellows are matched on relevant experience, host organization needs and applicant preferences.

We welcome applications from anyone who fits the program criteria. 

For US fellowships, candidates must be eligible to work in the United States during the summer. If you are an international student, please make it clear on your application that you are eligible to work in the United States. See our Work Authorization Policy and Work Authorization FAQs for more information.

For China fellowships, candidates must be Chinese citizens or nationals from other countries who are currently registered in a Chinese university. 

For India fellowships, candidates must be Indian citizens or nationals from other countries who are currently registered in an Indian university.

We welcome applications from all graduate degree and graduate certificate program students who meet the Climate Corps qualifications.

A graduate certificate is formal credential that provides graduate-level coursework, but is a shorter program than a full graduate degree. If you have questions about your specific program, you can email us at edfclimatecorps.apply@edf.org.

Climate Corps fellowships are 10-12 weeks between June and September, plus 1 week for Climate Corps Fellow Training. For the US cohort, Fellow Training will take place in late May and will be hosted virtually. The exact weeks for the fellowship will depend on the host’s and fellow’s schedules.

We expect fellows to work full-time (~40 hours a week) with start/end times dependent on the norm of the organization at which they are placed.

While we would love to be able to train everyone on the ins and outs of sustainability, as of now, we are only able to provide a live training program for Climate Corps fellows. EDF’s Net Zero Action Accelerator Learning Hub is open to all and offers an ever expanding set of live and recorded educational sessions and other resources on topics including developing a Net Zero pathway, reducing operational and value chain emissions, reporting and disclosing climate action, and much more.

Climate Corps host organizations agree that they will:

• Provide a salary of $1,400 per week for 10-12 weeks, plus $1,400 for participation in the Fellow Training.
• Provide a supportive high-level project sponsor and an accessible day-to-day manager with the capacity to meet with the fellow on a weekly basis at minimum for the duration of the fellowship. EDF highly recommends that direct supervisors complete harassment training at their organization.
• Provide fellow will suitable equipment, facilitate support from relevant stakeholders and, if onsite, provide office space and access.
• Make accessible relevant records and information such as energy audits or utility bill information.
• Implement fellow recommendations at the discretion of the organization.
• Provide EDF with updates on implementation after fellowship completion.

Typically, host organizations onboard their fellows as “interns” or “term employees.” Ultimately, it is up to the host organization to work with their HR department to determine the most appropriate way to classify and work with their fellows. There is no expectation by Climate Corps to provide benefits in addition to the fellow salary.

EDF agrees to:

• Train fellows on sustainability and climate strategies, best practices, resources and skills applicable to Climate Corps’ established project categories.
• Support fellows throughout the summer through our cohort model led by EDF and partner experts.
• Provide an EDF Engagement Manager who will be available throughout the fellowship for support and guidance for both the fellow and the host organization.
• Upon successful completion of the fellowship, consider fellows for Climate Corps Fellowship Awards, share fellows’ approved public summary and include each fellow in the Climate Corps alumni network.

Climate Corps fellows agree that they will:

• US fellows will be in compliance with federal law that states all Climate Corps fellows extended an offer by one of our host organizations must be able to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete the required employment eligibility verification document forms by the first day of employment.
• Attend the Climate Corps Fellow Training, hosted virtually from May 19-23. If fellows attend a university on a quarter system and are still in class, fellows agree that they will watch the required recordings in accordance with guidance from EDF. Live attendance is strongly preferred, as the connections built during Fellow Training are an invaluable resource for fellows’ summer projects and careers. 
• Work for the host organization full-time for 10-12 weeks on the assigned workplan and adhere to all hiring processes, HR policies, and standards of the organization.
• Provide final deliverables to both the host organization and EDF based on their workplan, including a set of recommendations to drive next steps.

EDF does not provide fellows with summer housing, local transportation or relocation assistance to cities of summer employment (if relocation is required). If a host provides relocation support, that will be indicated to candidates on the list of available projects.

Climate Corps does not have automatic conversion to a full-time position. However, each host organization is different and depending on availability and budget, fellows may be asked to consult or be brought on full-time by their host organization. This, however, is not something that EDF asks of the participating organizations. Opportunities within EDF are limited; however, interested fellows are encouraged to view the EDF website regularly for job openings.

Most fellows are formally hired by the organization at which they are placed or hired through a third-party professional services agency.

Applicants for the US program must apply by December 22, 2024 at 11:59pm PT.

Please see our Work Authorization Policy here.

Yes, we do. References will be contacted upon a candidate moving to the interview stage. We will provide references with a survey and ask that they respond within one week. This allows us to quickly move forward with host-fellow matches. Candidates that need to change or update reference information after submitting an application can do so via the application portal. Applicants who need references resent should contact the Climate Corps Matching Team at edfclimatecorps.apply@edf.org.

In 2024, fellowships were a mix of remote, hybrid and on-site arrangements. During the matching process, candidates will be made aware of each project’s location (remote vs. on-site) and can indicate their preferences accordingly. 

Candidates are entered into the matching process if it is determined that they have the skills and qualities necessary to be a successful fellow. However, not every candidate will be matched with a project since matching takes into account specific projects and how candidate skills, interests and preferences align with host needs.