Yale Climate Fellows

Yes, we encourage you to apply. We typically look for a minimum of five years of significant professional experience, but high-level, full-time internships that demonstrate leadership and responsibility may count, particularly if clearly relevant to the program’s objectives.

Due to the volume of inquiries, we cannot offer personalized feedback on eligibility or competitiveness. We recommend reviewing past fellows’ profiles to assess alignment, and using the essay and video to clearly demonstrate your unique contribution.

Participation in and availability for all parts of the program (in-person and virtual) is required. The in-person components cannot be completed online. 

There are no direct costs associated with the program. Travel, lodging, and meals during the two in-person weeks (in New Haven and Paris) are covered by the program. Applicants have to submit a $20 fee in order to submit their application. While Visa fees can be reimbursed, Individuals will need to pay the fees up front. Individuals will also be responsible for costs incurred to travel to and from their visa appointments. 

While we do not maintain a strict list of eligible countries, the program is designed to build networks among rising climate and clean energy leaders from developing and emerging economies. Successful fellows should originate and reside in such a country at the time of their application.

The most competitive candidates have a minimum of 5 years of significant professional experience, particularly in fields related to climate leadership, policy, or innovation. This is a guideline to ensure a similar level of professional experience within the cohort. If you have less experience than that but think that it is highly relevant to the program, we encourage you to apply.

High-level, full-time internships that demonstrate leadership and responsibility may count toward your experience, particularly if they are clearly relevant to the program’s objectives.

We encourage you to use the essay questions and video submission as ways to clearly demonstrate your unique contribution to the program.

Unfortunately, we cannot offer extensions and highly encourage all applicants to submit their application well before the deadline.

This often occurs when multiple applications are started under the same account. If you receive this message but have submitted an application, we will review and retain the submitted version and disregard the duplicate. 

Can I submit more than one letter of recommendation? 
No. Only one letter of recommendation is accepted per applicant. This policy ensures a consistent and equitable review process. 

Can I view my recommendation letter? 
Recommendation letters are confidential and cannot be shared with applicants. 

What does a status of “in progress” mean? 
This indicates that your recommender has accessed the submission link but has not yet uploaded their letter. 

Can I change my recommender? 
Yes. To do so, use the “Recommendations” link at the bottom of your application status page. Please make all changes in a single session and follow the on-screen instructions carefully. 

What happens if my recommender submits their letter after the deadline? 
Letters of recommendation should be submitted by the application deadline. Letters submitted after the deadline will be accepted but only through Monday, August 3.  

I entered the incorrect email for my recommender, or my recommender asked me to use a different email address. What should I do?  

To correct an email address or enter a new email address for a recommender, go to the recommendations tab of your application: https://apply.worldfellows.yale.edu/apply/ 

If you have already submitted your application: go to your application status page and click on the “re-visit the recommendations page” link:  https://apply.worldfellows.yale.edu/apply/status. 

Then click “Edit” next to the recommender’s name and then click “EXCLUDE.” Then click OK. 

Then click “Add Recommender” and enter your recommender again with the correct/new email address. 

Can recommendation letters be submitted by email? 

No, letters must please be submitted via the link the automatic notification email your recommender receives.  

They will receive this email when applicants enter their name and email in the application.  

I am having trouble uploading my letter. What should I do? 
If technical issues persist, your recommender may email the letter directly to applicant.climatefellows@yale.edu. Please include the email address for the applicant.  

I am a recommender and I no longer see my submission link. Can you help? 
Please ask your recommender to check their spam or junk folder. If necessary, you can re-send the notification email to your recommender by going to the recommendations tab of your application. If you have already submitted your application, go to your application status page and click on the “re-visit the recommendations page” link (https://apply.worldfellows.yale.edu/apply/status)

Can I request an application fee waiver for the $20 application fee? 

Unfortunately, we cannot grant fee waivers. Submission of the fee is a requirement in order to submit a complete application.

Can someone else pay the $20 application fee on my behalf?  

Yes. To send a payment link (for someone else to pay) here are the instructions for applicants:  

1) Go to your applicant status page: 

https://apply.worldfellows.yale.edu/apply/status 

2) Click the link that says “Submit Payment for 20.00 USD” 

3) A payment page will open. Copy/paste the URL and send it to the person who will be paying (the URL will start with:  https://apply.worldfellows.yale.edu/apply/payment?id=) 

Every applicant receives two attempts to record their video in the system. We highly recommend timing your response to 90 seconds before you attempt to record it for the first time. The recording will stop promptly at the 90-second mark. If you are not happy with your first attempt, you can record it a second time. The second -and final - attempt is what will be reviewed by the selection committee and no further attempts are permitted. We cannot accommodate requests to delete your video or re-record it.

Please note that videos must be recorded in the application platform itself. Videos cannot be recorded separately and uploaded to your application. Please refer to the detailed instructions in the application (Video tab). Please note that you will need to record your video from a computer using either Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. Other browsers are not supported at this time. We cannot accept links to videos hosted on other platforms. 

No. We are unable to accept additional or revised materials after the application deadline. If the selection committee requires further information, we will contact you directly.

No. Once your application has been submitted, no further edits are permitted. Note that recommendation letters can be submitted after you have submitted your application.