APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEn
CELI 2026 FELLOWSHIP Overview
CELI is now accepting applications from eligible candidates from any location in the United States for the 2026 CELI Fellowship. The 2026 Fellowship runs from Wednesday, July 29 through December 3, 2026. Notifications of acceptance will be delivered on Wednesday, May 20, 2026.
Join our virtual info sessions and coffee chats to learn more about the program: www.cleanenergyleaders.org/events
The 2026 Fellowship offers two participation options:
Fully Virtual Cohorts: Organized by time zone (PT, CT/MT, and ET). Virtual cohorts are open to anyone in the U.S., including those who prefer the flexibility of an online program.
In-Person Cohorts: Available in the Bay Area (most sessions take place in San Francisco), Chicago, New York City (most sessions take place in Manhattan), and Washington, DC. Individuals living within commuting distance of these locations are encouraged to apply.
Application Due Dates by Fee Schedule
Early Bird application ($0, no fee) deadline: Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at 11:59 PM PT
Regular application ($25) deadline: Monday, March 16, 2026 at 11:59 PM PT
Late application ($100) deadline: Wednesday, March 18, 2026 at 11:59 PM PT
Financial Assistance
Candidates should not let the cost of the program prevent them from applying. CELI is deeply committed to making the Fellowship accessible to a diverse and representative cohort. Applicants must complete a financial assistance application (included as a separate section of the fellowship application) in order to be considered for a financial award.
CELI offers both partial scholarships, as well as 6-month payment plans. We encourage you to discuss with your employer whether or not they can offer financial support to you, and at what level, before filling out the Financial Assistance application form.
2026 Fellowship Tuition and Financial Assistance
The full cost of the 2026 Fellowship is $5,900 if an employer is supporting a fellow (Tier 1), or $3,750 if a fellow is paying-out-of-pocket (Tier 2). Applicants in both tiers may be eligible for financial assistance, depending on demonstrated need, as collected through the Financial Assistance application. Fellows receiving partial employer support will be put into Tier 1 tuition level ($5,900), and Fellows receiving no employer support will fall into Tier 2 tuition level ($3,750). Fellows who receive partial employer support will never be expected to owe more than $3,750 out-of-pocket for tuition, even if their employer’s support totals less than $2,150. All levels of tuition commitments (including those receiving financial assistance) may be paid up-front or over a 6-month payment plan.
Visit the 2026 Fellowship Tuition and Financial Assistance page for full details.
Application Interviews and Notifications
Interviews are the final step in the application process. Interview opportunities will be offered to select candidates in mid-April, 2026. At this time, all applicants will receive a notification of the first-round decision, and whether they will be offered an interview spot.
Acceptance, waitlist, and regret notifications will be emailed on May 20, 2026 to all applicants selected to interview. A limited number of applicants may be placed on a waitlist and offered admission if space becomes available. Financial assistance notifications will also be shared with accepted fellows at this time. Please note that a non-refundable deposit of $500 will be required of all applicants to be paid by June 4, 2026 in order to hold one’s spot in the program. Please plan accordingly.
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ABOUT THE FELLOWSHIP
The CELI Fellowship is a program that prepares early-career to mid-level professionals to serve effectively as clean energy leaders in their fields. In the 2026 Fellowship, Fellows will complete a rigorous program that challenges them to:
Think critically about current energy policy and market structures
Examine existing and historical inequities
Identify barriers and approaches to clean energy deployment and innovation
Recognize leadership moments and know what to do when they step into one
Develop holistic solutions toward an equitable energy transition
Build the relationships necessary to scale solutions
In the process, Fellows develop deep relationships that inspire collaboration, partnership, and innovation. After core program completion, CELI Fellows join an active, connected network of 1,700 alumni who continue to play a tremendous role in CELI and in the broader clean energy community.
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APPLICANT PROFILES
CELI Fellows are mission-driven, change-makers intent on building a community of peers dedicated to advancing an equitable, decarbonized, and resilient energy ecosystem.
We seek early- to mid-career professionals (with a minimum of 3 years of work or graduate school experience) working in clean energy technology, industry, government, policy or advocacy/organizing, or professionals from adjacent fields with 5+ years of experience, who clearly articulate their intentions to begin and maintain a career in the clean energy industry.
Our fellows are drawn from diverse backgrounds with skills including, but not limited to:
Policy expertise in government, academia, non-profits, or law;
Business acumen and analytical skills in for-profit companies and organizations;
Technical expertise and technology research and development;
Communications expertise from consulting, speech writing, and journalism;
Grassroots organizing, advocacy, and environmental justice;
Entrepreneurship and business model innovation;
Expertise in green jobs with experience and skills in solar installation, engineering, or other technical skills.
A FOCUS ON ENERGY JUSTICE
We believe that realizing energy justice is critical to our successful transition to a clean energy future.
Domestically, the clean energy economic expansion has been called “one of America’s great economic expansions;” (E2, 2021) and yet, many people, especially women, Hispanic and Latinx workers, and Black workers, are not fully included in this economic windfall.
While Fellows are chosen on the basis of set criteria highlighting their outstanding track records, leadership experience and potential and commitment to service, inclusion and belonging, access and equity support also remain central to CELI’s mission. We therefore strongly encourage professionals that identify as People of Color, LGBTQIA+, women, those from communities harmed by environmental injustice, persons with disabilities, and other individuals from underrepresented demographics to apply.
CELI does not discriminate based upon race/ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or any other characteristics.
BASIC ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
The 2026 Fellowship offers two participation options:
Fully Virtual Cohorts: Organized by time zone (PT, CT/MT, and ET). Virtual cohorts are open to anyone in the U.S., including those who prefer the flexibility of an online program.
In-Person Cohorts: Available in the Bay Area (most sessions take place in San Francisco), Chicago, New York City (most sessions take place in Manhattan), and Washington, DC. Individuals living within commuting distance of these locations are encouraged to apply.
Applicants should select the cohort to apply to based on their preferred time zone or place of residence. Weekly sessions occur synchronously. CELI allows up to three excused absences over the four month fellowship, during the weekday sessions. Applicants living in or near a CELI city where the in-person fellowships will be located can indicate on the application whether they would prefer consideration for either the in-person or virtual fellowship cohorts. Applicants should only select the in-person fellowship if they can commit to attend each in-person session consistently.
If applicants are selected for the virtual cohort, but live in a city with an in-person cohort, they will be unable to attend the sessions with the in-person cohort due to limitations on capacity of the physical spaces that we engage for the Wednesday sessions. However, there may be opportunities to meet other fellows in the area outside of formal session times.
Applicants must live and work in the United States: While at some point we would like to see CELI’s own programming, or equivalent opportunities, extend beyond the United States, our 2026 Fellows will be limited to applicants living in the United States.
Eligibility criteria: We seek applicants that meet one of the two following eligibility criteria:
3+ Years of Professional Experience in Clean Energy or 5+ Years of Professional Experience in a Related Field
Under these requirements:
CELI does not require an undergraduate degree to apply for the program;
CELI does not consider undergraduate internships or fellowships as professional experience that counts towards the 3+ years requirement;
CELI considers clean energy-related graduate or post-doc training as professional experience toward meeting the 3+ years requirement;
CELI considers non-clean energy-related graduate or post-doc training as professional experience toward meeting the 5+ years requirement;
Please reach out to applications@cleanenergyleaders.org if you have any questions about your eligibility for the Fellowship program. We are happy to review your work experience if you are close to meeting requirements for professional experience within the Fellowship’s time frame.
COMPETITIVE APPLICANTS DEMONSTRATE:
An aspiration to lead the transition to an equitable and resilient energy future, where we achieve Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions.
A strong belief in the value of community, especially as it relates to personal and professional growth. CELI fellows and alumni are committed to building meaningful relationships that extend deeper than the majority of professional networks.
A unique perspective on one or more aspects of the clean energy transition based on a combination of professional, academic, or personal experience.
A demonstrated interest in exploring the interconnected nature of clean energy policy, markets, technology, science, finance, and innovation.
An understanding of the importance of learning and applicants actively seek out topics outside their own expertise.
A dedication to create a more just energy future and a desire to learn more about energy justice.
Email celi@cleanenergyleaders.org with any questions.