Become a Climate Corps Host UNITED STATES
Hosting a Climate Corps fellow is a low-cost, low-risk way to advance your sustainability goals.
Climate Corps® is an innovative fellowship program that trains talented and passionate graduate students and pairs them with companies and public institutions dedicated to meeting their climate and energy goals.
We exist to build and mobilize a diverse Climate Workforce that will have an exponential impact on the climate crisis.
Fellows spend a summer designing tools and recommendations to accomplish emissions reduction goals by road mapping climate commitments, reducing energy consumption, procuring renewable energy, electrifying fleets, and engaging suppliers.
By the Numbers
organizations have worked
with Climate Corps
in energy savings
identified by fellows
Fortune 100 companies have
worked with Climate Corps
members of our growing global network of alumni and host partners
Who should apply?
If you are interested in applying to host a fellow, first reach out to our team to express interest using the form at the bottom of this page. After chatting with our team, apply by filling out a host application. The deadline to apply to host a fellow in 2025 is December 19, 2024.
What projects will be prioritized?
All projects that Climate Corps supports will advance climate action at host companies and build fellow skills integral to success in a sustainability career. We will consider all submitted projects and prioritize projects that satisfy any of the below conditions:
- Timeline: Projects that are actionable and have a clear pathway to implementation
- Scope: Directly contribute to or are integral to planning for climate targets with quantifiable emissions reductions or produce deliverables with a high likelihood of scalable impact
- Impact: Contribute positively to communities who have been historically marginalized, particularly those impacted by environmental justice issues
Project Types
Our main project areas are listed below. A full list of past projects and partner companies can be found on our Project Database.
Climate Commitments and Roadmaps
Analyze, road map and implement climate commitments through tactics such as greenhouse gas accounting, net zero goals, Science-Based Targets, and the development of climate transition action plans, especially at the enterprise level.
Past Projects
Climate-Smart Food and Agriculture
Implement strategies to achieve emissions reductions in the food and agriculture sector through tactics such as target road maps for key agricultural commodities, supplier engagement and incentive programs, and transparent accounting and reporting.
Past Projects
Environmental and Climate Justice
Advance climate equity plans, establish and track ECJ metrics, create and/or advance community engagement plans, and facilitate stakeholder buy-in at host organizations.
Past Projects
Renewables and Energy Efficiency
Develop targeted strategies to implement on-site and off-site renewable energy and scale energy efficiency, increase demand for renewables, and roll-off fossil fuel dependent systems.
Past Projects
Supplier Engagement and Scope 3
Collect, analyze and report Scope 3 emissions, identify Scope 3 reduction strategies, and engage suppliers in climate and sustainability initiatives.
Past Projects
Sustainable Finance
Support investors and financial institutions by creating financial instruments that direct capital to decarbonizing efforts, including climate considerations in the investment process, and preparing engagement efforts for portfolio companies.
Past Projects
Zero-Emission Vehicles and Fleet Transition
Develop frameworks, create roadmaps, and execute targeted strategies to electrify medium and heavy-duty vehicle fleets.
Past Projects
Program Timeline
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October 1, 2024
Host application opens
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December 8, 2024
Final application deadline for projects seeking EDF-funding. Early application deadline for host-funded projects.
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December 19, 2024
Final application deadline for host-funded projects
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March-April
Your team is custom matched with a fellow best suited for your project
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Late May
Fellows attend a week-long training to build skills and knowledge for their fellowships
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June-August
Summer fellowships take place, on-site or remotely
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September
Fellows, alumni, and hosts attend the annual Climate Corps Summit
Featured Host Organizations
Climate Corps enlists influential organizations to host impactful fellowships that align with EDF priorities and expertise. Host companies range in size from startups to those listed on the Fortune 100, and represent a wide variety of sectors. At these companies, Climate Corps fellow tackle sustainability projects, boost capacity and identify energy savings opportunities that can lead to significant financial windfalls. Many organizations find budget to bring a fellow on out of their consulting line item. Over 80 companies have returned to Climate Corps for 5 years or more because our fellows do work on par with consultants for a fraction of the cost.
Learn more about past projects and the companies that we’ve worked with by exploring our Project Database.
Host Requirements
- Submit Host Application by December 19, 2024.
- Hire fellows at a salary of at least $1,400 per week for 10-12 weeks, plus $1,400 for participation in the Fellow Training. For a 10 week project, the total cost is at least $15,400. The expectation is that fellows work 40 hours/week. Many companies find budget in a consulting line-item as fellows do work on par with consultants for a fraction of the cost. Fellows are hired directly as interns, contractors, or through a third-party. There is no fee or cost to EDF.
- Provide a supportive high-level project sponsor, as well as an accessible direct supervisor for the duration of the fellowship. The direct supervisor should have the capacity to meet with the fellow on a weekly basis at minimum.
- Provide EDF with periodic updates on project progress upon request after fellowship completion.
- For more details, please review the Host-Paid Application, check out our Project Guidance (including examples of scopes of work for each project cateogiry), or visit our FAQ page
In 2025, EDF Climate Corps will only be able to fund a limited number of projects in the public sector. These projects are co-developed with EDF staff to align with EDF priorities. The program is therefore not making the application for EDF-funded projects public. If your organization is in the public sector but has funding to pay a fellow, please fill out the host application for host-paid fellowships. If your organization is in the public sector and is interested in exploring a partnership with EDF for 2025 or in the future, please fill out the form at the bottom of this page and someone from our team will get back to you.
Ready to apply or have more questions?
Reach out to our team to learn more about hosting a Climate Corps fellow.
Application to host a fellow in 2024 opens October 1