Project Drawdown is proud to launch a new Climate Science Serving America Fellowship program. This Fellowship will support world-class Ph.D.-level scientists and engineers advancing climate solutions in the world.
This Fellowship will help scientists and engineers do rigorous research, public outreach, stakeholder engagement, and have a real-world impact. Fellows will work alongside a deeply collaborative team of scientists and communicators at Project Drawdown to help translate science into action.
Fellows will receive:
- A competitive salary and benefits
- A small research stipend to support travel, computer supplies, and publications
- Intellectual independence, free from partisan or financial pressure
- Institutional support to pursue solutions-oriented research in the public interest
Fellows will be appointed for a one-year term, with the possibility of renewal for a second year based on performance and available funding.
The Climate Science Serving America Fellowship program will support outstanding early- and mid-career scientists and engineers focused on climate solutions. Fellows may come from academia, government, nonprofits, or other institutions.
Fellows will be expected to engage in a variety of activities, including:
Applied Solutions Research to Change the World
- Conduct world-class research on climate solutions
- Produce results that inform real-world decision-making
- Engage key stakeholders, translating science to action
- Contribute to wider Project Drawdown research initiatives as appropriate
Thought Leadership & Public Service
- Serve as a public-facing subject-matter expert on climate solutions
- Share work publicly through books, popular articles, op-eds, speaking engagements, public talks, webinars, social media, and more
- Act as a pro bono advisor to communities, nonprofits, foundations, businesses, and other stakeholders
- Provide expert testimony or technical input when appropriate
- Help support Project Drawdown’s media engagement, partnerships, and collaborative projects
We aim to support early-career (up to 10 years of relevant post-Ph.D. experience) and mid-career (between 10-20 years of relevant post-Ph.D. experience) scientists and engineers in this Fellowship program.
Fellows will be offered an annual salary of $130,000-$140,000 (early-career fellows) or $150,000-$160,000 (mid-career fellows), along with competitive health, retirement, and other employment benefits. Fellows will also receive a $10,000 annual stipend to help pay for travel, computer supplies, publication costs, etc.
Fellows will be appointed for one year, with the possibility of a second year, based on performance and the availability of funds. Project Drawdown welcomes people of all backgrounds, identities, and beliefs. We are a 100% remote organization based in the United States.
Application materials must be submitted as PDF files (not Word documents) – and may include links to outside sources where appropriate (videos of presentations, media interviews, etc.)
Phase 1 applications will be accepted until April 17, 2026, at 11:59 pm Eastern Time.
In late spring, a small number of finalists will be invited to proceed to Phase 2 of the Fellowship competition, which will include an interview and the submission of a proposal for the work candidates would like to pursue at Project Drawdown. Phase 2 candidates will also be asked to provide at least three professional references.
Finalists may negotiate their starting date to begin in the summer or fall of 2026.
The ideal candidate will possess a combination of the following:
- Education: Ph.D. and postdoctoral experience in a relevant physical science, biological science, or engineering field(s).
- Experience: Deep experience working in science-based climate solutions and strategies, based on original scientific and/or engineering research.
- Research: An accomplished publication record in the international scientific literature – e.g., with 10-30 highly-cited publications presenting original results and methods in top scientific journals.
- Expertise: Be an internationally recognized “thought leader” in their discipline.
- Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, including technical/scientific writing, writing for public audiences, and giving highly engaging public presentations.
- Collaborative: Be highly regarded among peers for working collaboratively and cooperatively with internal and external colleagues.
Project Drawdown is a remote-work organization. Candidates should be:
- Comfortable with teleconferencing, collaborative work environments, remote work, and virtual collaboration.
- Available to participate in online meetings and video conferences, typically on weekdays 9:00 am–5:00 pm Central Time US.
- Experienced with Mac-based computing environment.
- Comfortable with Google Suite, Asana, Slack, and presentation software (Keynote preferred) for their work.
- Available for domestic and international travel.
