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* 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.
*a unique and pioneering online initiative by Ashoka University
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
Ashoka-Environmental Defense Fund Climate Corps Fellowship is an innovative fellowship program that trains talented and passionate post graduate students and pairs them with companies and public institutions committed to meeting climate goals and helping to strengthen the Indian economy.
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.
Marking our first public sector partnership in 2022, six Climate Corps fellows worked with Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) (the governing civic body of the City of Mumbai) to help advance the Mumbai Climate Action Plan — the first-ever climate action plan for a city in India — by contributing to projects on building and energy efficiency, climate budgeting and urban flooding.
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.
