Climate Corps Fellow - Summer 2027

Trellis Group; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 57,000 - 71,000; Full time

Job summary

Environmental Defense Fund invites graduate students to apply for the EDF Climate Corps Fellowship, a 10–12 week summer program with options for remote, hybrid, and on-site work across multiple U.S. cities including Chicago.

Fellows identify opportunities to reduce emissions and drive sustainable change in organizations' operations and supply chains. You will be matched with host organizations, participate in Foundations Week, and receive cohort-based support from Climate Corps staff and peers.

Qualifications

• Enrolled in a graduate certificate or degree program for at least one term of the 2026-2027 academic year.
• Eligible to work in the United States during the summer of 2027.
• Able to participate Foundations Week, the approximately 40-hour week of learning and networking in late May.
• A self-starter with project management, leadership skills, and a proven ability to align and collaborate across teams.
• Able to present ideas and engage in discussions with stakeholders across all levels of an organization.
• Comfortable using data to solve problems.
• Have a passion for solving environmental challenges to build a vital earth for everyone.

Responsibilities

• Identify opportunities to reduce emissions and drive sustainable change across operations and supply chains.
• Fellows are matched with host organizations based on interests, skills, and host needs.
• Attend Foundations Week and participate in ongoing cohort-based support and career development.
• Build network through regional events, online community, and mentorship.
• Collaborate with host organizations to advance climate-related projects.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Cross-team collaboration

Presentation skills

Data-driven problem solving

Education

Graduate student status

Job description

EDF Climate Corps Fellow

Environmental Defense Fund

Multiple locations, including New York, NY; San Francisco, CA; Chicago, IL; Boston, MA; and other U.S. cities and towns.

Remote, hybrid, and on-site options available.

Job Type: 10-12 week summer fellowship

Are you a graduate student ready to make a real difference in the fight against climate change? We are looking for graduate students from a wide range of backgrounds who are motivated to join the climate workforce. EDF Climate Corps fellows work with companies, public institutions, and non-profits to identify opportunities to reduce emissions and drive sustainable change across their operations and supply chains.

Fellows are matched with host organizations based on interests, skills, and host needs. You can view the full list of past organizations on our website. A list of 2027 host organizations will be available to well-qualified applicants. We prioritize projects that work on:

1. Climate commitments and roadmaps
2. Climate risk
3. Climate-smart food and ag systems
4. Environmental and climate justice
5. Renewables and energy efficiency
6. Supplier engagement and Scope 3
7. Sustainable finance
8. Zero-emission vehicles and fleet transition

EDF Climate Corps provides…

Hands-on Impact: We prioritize projects with clear and actionable goals, so you have the biggest impact possible. We’ve placed over 2,000 fellows in organizations like Citizens Bank, Google, Colgate-Palmolive, McCain Foods, and Ulta Beauty.

Career Development: Before you begin, you will attend Foundations Week- a week of professional development to equip you with the tools you’ll need for a successful fellowship and for your career as a climate professional. Throughout the summer, you’ll receive continuous cohort-based support from subject matter experts, Climate Corps staff, and peers. After your fellowship, you will have access to continuing education and career support.

Network Building: You will have the opportunity to build connections through regional events, online community, and mentorship.

You’ll be a great fellow if you are….

• Enrolled in a graduate certificate or degree program for at least one term of the 2026-2027 academic year [required]
• Eligible to work in the United States during the summer of 2027 [required]
• Able to participate Foundations Week, the approximately 40-hour week of learning and networking in late May [required]
• A self-starter with project management, leadership skills, and a proven ability to align and collaborate across teams
• Able to present ideas and engage in discussions with stakeholders across all levels of an organization
• Comfortable using data to solve problems
• Have a passion for solving environmental challenges to build a vital earth for everyone

Depending on the available projects, skills in financial analysis, greenhouse gas accounting, and reporting frameworks are valuable assets.

Please note that our projects require a variety of talents, and we’re looking for fellows from a wide range of fields. As Climate Corps aims to strengthen the next generation of climate leaders to accelerate the transition to a clean energy future for all, we recognize that our individual and collective futures depend on the contributions of people from all backgrounds and identities to create lasting environmental solutions. We are proud of the diversity of our fellow cohorts and believes this makes our program stronger.

Compensation

A minimum of $1,400 per week for 10-12 weeks, plus $1,400 for participation in Foundations Week. Compensation and relocation support vary by host organization and will be disclosed to qualified applicants in the project selection process.