Become a Fellow: Climate Corps India Program
Ashoka-Environmental Defense Fund Climate Corps Fellowship
EDF's Work in India
For more than a decade, EDF has supported India’s shift to a prosperous, healthy, low-carbon economy. Working in close collaboration with on-the-ground partners including government officials, businesses, academia, NGOs and others in civil society, EDF has implemented innovative solutions that demonstrate how low-carbon economic development can deliver tangible near-term benefits ranging from cleaner air to stronger rural economies.
Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) is partnering with AshokaX, a unique initiative from Ashoka University for lifelong learners, to execute Climate Corps fellowship in India, to build a skilled green workforce and accelerate net zero and sustainability goals. Ashoka-Environmental Defense Fund Climate Corps Fellowship is committed to empowering skilled leaders who will advance solutions to put the economy on a path to reach net-zero emissions by mid-century and grow the economy while mitigating the worst effects of climate change. The program trains talented and passionate post graduate students and pairs them with organizations across private and public sectors diligently working toward meeting climate goals and helping strengthen the Indian economy. Learn more about the partnership between AshokaX and EDF here.
Real-world sustainability experience
Climate Corps recruits and trains graduate students from a wide range of programs and embeds them in leading organizations around the world for 8-12 weeks during the summer. Since the program’s inception in 2008, more than 1,800 graduate students have been placed in more than 700 leading organizations spanning the U.S., China and India. Climate Corps fellows join the active and growing alumni network of 3,500 former fellows and host representatives.
Learn more about the fellowship
What Climate Corps looks for
Climate Corps seeks graduate students with analytical and project management backgrounds who are excited to make an impact through climate and energy projects. Fellows are chosen for their ability to conduct technical and financial analyses, manage projects, communicate effectively, and help facilitate organizational change.
Climate Corps in India
Climate Corps introduced its world-class fellowship program to India in 2021 to advance action on net zero strategies, tackle sustainable supply chain challenges and uncover renewable energy opportunities among others. Since then, Climate Corps has placed over 80 fellows in host organizations including ITC, Mahindra, Tata Steel, JSW Cement, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Nestle India, Zomato, Amazon India, ICICI Prudential etc.
Climate Corps® fellows work with impact-oriented private and public sector organizations to set and meet ambitious sustainability and net zero goals across high emitting sectors such as:
Freight and Logistics
Strategies to transition medium and heavy-duty vehicle fleets to sustainable alternatives. Targeted strategies for sustainable supply chains to reduce Scope 3 emissions, enable suppliers in transitioning to sustainable modes of operation.
Agriculture/Food Systems
Cross-cutting strategies to measure and incorporate climate smart practices across the agricultural and food value chains.
Manufacturing
Strategies to reduce emissions, incorporate sustainable material and add circularity to manufacturing processes, enabling efficient industrial operations.
From 2024 onward, AshokaX is partnering with EDF to execute Ashoka-Environmental Defense Fund Climate Corps Fellowship in India.
About training
Before the fellowship begins, we conduct training for fellows that features expert speakers and trainers. The curriculum covers topics such as energy efficiency, sustainability strategy, carbon accounting, building systems, financial analysis, and more.
