LIVE · Atmospheric CO₂ 429.4 ppm · +1.55°C vs pre-industrial
DATA & RESOURCES NEWSLETTER EN
The Climate Sentinel Fellowship — Climate Sentinel Foundation
Applications open · Cohort 2026

The Climate Sentinel Fellowship.

A two-year research fellowship for the next generation of climate leaders. Four global research tracks. Real publications. Real policy impact — for early-career researchers ready to put science to work.

Begin your application View research tracks
What fellows receive

A two-year launchpad for field-defining research.

More than a grant — a structured ecosystem of mentorship, publishing infrastructure, peer community, and policy access designed to make your research count.

Competitive stipend

A monthly research stipend benchmarked to leading global fellowships, for the full 24-month term.

Research grant up to $8K

Dedicated funding for fieldwork, data, lab access, and dissemination, disbursed across milestones.

One-to-one mentorship

Paired with a senior researcher and a policy advisor, plus quarterly cohort retreats.

Editorial & publishing

Support through one or more peer-reviewed papers, plus essays on the Climate Sentinel platform.

Global network

Access to researchers, alumni, NGOs, and policy partners across six continents and 30+ institutions.

Policy & COP access

A pathway to engage policymakers and present at international forums, including UN climate convenings.

Four research tracks

Choose your frontier.

Each fellow joins one thematic track, mapped onto the most pressing global environmental research gaps — and the policy levers that can act on them.

01
Water Security & HydrologyWRI Aqueduct · Hydrology
Aquifer depletion, watershed management, the climate–water nexus, flood and drought resilience, transboundary rivers.
02
Biodiversity & ConservationCBD · 30×30 · IUCN
Habitat restoration, endangered species, ecosystem services, indigenous-led conservation, mangroves and reefs.
03
Waste & Circular EconomyEPR · Plastics · Materials
Plastic pollution, e-waste, circular materials, Extended Producer Responsibility, informal-sector integration.
04
Climate Impact & AdaptationIPCC · Just transitions
Vulnerability and risk mapping, adaptation strategy, climate finance, agrarian and coastal resilience.
Who should apply

Built for researchers ready to shape policy.

You should apply if you have…

  • 2–4 years of research or applied experience post-Master's
  • A Master's or equivalent in a relevant environmental discipline
  • Demonstrated academic writing or publications
  • Field, lab, or applied experience in one of our tracks
  • Strong written communication in English

We especially encourage…

  • Researchers from Global South institutions
  • Applicants from frontline climate-vulnerable regions
  • Underrepresented backgrounds in climate science
  • Interdisciplinary and computational researchers
  • Practitioners with applied field experience

A four-step application process.

1
Submit

CV, a 1,500–2,000 word research proposal, a writing sample, and two references via the portal.

2
Review

Our editorial team and track leads review every application. Shortlists within three weeks.

3
Interview

Shortlisted candidates join a 45-minute panel and submit a refined research outline.

4
Onboard

Selected fellows join a two-week onboarding cohort and meet their mentors.

Cohort 2026 timeline

Key dates for the next cohort.

Now · Open

Applications open

The Cohort 2026 portal is live. We review strong candidates on a rolling basis, so early submission is encouraged.

15 August 2026

Applications close

Final deadline for completed applications, including all supporting documents and references.

September 2026

Shortlist announced

Around 40 candidates are notified and invited to interview.

October 2026

Interviews

Virtual interviews with the selection committee; refined research outlines submitted.

November 2026

Final selection

Twelve fellows are selected and announced. Welcome packs distributed.

January 2027

Cohort begins

Onboarding retreat, mentor pairings, and first-month research planning. The journey begins.

Apply

Begin your application.

Use the form to express interest. Once submitted, you'll receive secure access to the full application portal, where you'll upload your CV, research proposal, writing sample, and reference contacts.

Need help shaping your proposal? Our team holds bi-weekly office hours during the application window.

  • All fields are required for the initial expression of interest.
  • The full portal opens within 24 hours of submission.
  • We never share your information with third parties.

Express interest · Cohort 2026

Takes about two minutes. We'll send portal access to your email.

By submitting, you agree to be contacted about the Climate Sentinel Fellowship.
Frequently asked

Questions, answered.

Is the fellowship open to international applicants?+
Yes. The fellowship welcomes applicants globally, with a particular emphasis on researchers from the Global South. About half of each cohort's places are reserved for India-based and Indian-origin researchers, reflecting our founding focus, with the rest open worldwide.
Can I apply with a PhD or post-doctoral experience?+
The fellowship is designed for early-career researchers, typically 2–4 years past their Master's. PhD candidates partway through their program are eligible if they can dedicate time to the fellowship. Established post-docs should watch for our forthcoming senior fellowship.
Is the fellowship remote, in-person, or hybrid?+
Hybrid. Most research and writing is remote. Fellows attend an in-person onboarding cohort, quarterly retreats, and optional field placements in their research region, with travel costs covered.
Can I hold other employment during the fellowship?+
The fellowship requires a commitment equivalent to about 60% of full-time work. Many fellows balance it with part-time academic or research roles; we ask that you disclose other engagements during the application.
What does the stipend look like?+
The stipend is competitive with leading global fellowships and indexed to local cost of living. Exact figures are shared with shortlisted candidates. A separate research grant of up to $8,000 covers project costs.
What research output is expected?+
Each fellow is expected to produce at least one peer-reviewed paper and one public-facing piece during the term. Many also contribute to flagship reports, policy briefs, and our open-data platform.
Donation Section
Support our mission

The planet doesn't need promises. It needs proof.

We're funded by individuals, philanthropies, and institutions who believe in evidence-led environmental action. Every contribution funds research, fellowships, and frontline restoration.

Donate now → Partner with us

$25

Plants 10 native mangrove saplings on a restored coast

$100

Funds a community climate-literacy workshop

$500

Supports a Fellow’s week of field research

$1,000+

Endows an open-access research publication

Footer — Climate Sentinel Foundation
Scroll to Top