Governor Hochul Announces $6 Million for Climate Justice Fellowships Benefitting Disadvantaged Communities and Priority Populations

 

Funding Will Support 150 Fellowships Over Three Years

Advances New York State's Commitment to Ensure an Equitable Clean Energy Transition for All New Yorkers; Announcement Comes in Advance of Climate Week

Applications Can Be Found Here

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced $6 million is now available over three years to support 150 Climate Justice Fellowship opportunities for individuals across the state currently residing in historically disadvantaged communities or from priority populations. This announcement, in advance of New York's upcoming celebration of Climate Week from September 20 to September 26, helps support New York State's commitment to ensure an equitable clean energy transition for all New Yorkers as required by the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. 

"These fellowships demonstrate how New York is working to foster new and creative ways to support climate justice and clean energy training for individuals in disadvantaged communities while stimulating rewarding career paths for future generations of New Yorkers," Governor Hochul said. "This funding will give New Yorkers from underrepresented backgrounds a fresh opportunity to participate in our economy. It's critical that we focus on creating an inclusive green energy marketplace by capturing the ideas, talent, and expertise of New Yorkers as we work to achieve the state's ambitious climate goals."            

The program, administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, is seeking applications from host employers to support the professional development, training, and mentoring of full-time fellows currently residing in disadvantaged communities or from priority populations—including individuals that are low income, disabled, homeless, formerly incarcerated, residents of environmental justice communities, veterans and Native Americans, among others. 

Selected fellows will work with community-based organizations, universities, municipalities, climate tech innovators/start-ups, and clean energy businesses to assist with and support community engagement activities, clean energy project development and implementation, partnership building, clean energy start-ups, or other projects that advance climate justice and clean energy priorities in disadvantaged communities.

NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said, "Those living in historically disadvantaged communities know the needs of their communities best. Our Climate Justice Fellowship program is unique in it allows for individuals to pair up with entities that want to facilitate clean energy and climate justice efforts in the very same communities - creating unique collaborations and helping ensure an equitable green transition in neighborhoods that have traditionally been underserved."    

NYSERDA will fund approximately 50 fellowships in 2021 and up to 100 fellowships through 2023, and will work with State and federal agencies, non-profits, foundations, and other partners to leverage existing resources and wrap-around services such as transportation and childcare services, training, and professional development opportunities.

Applications must be submitted by 3 p.m. EST on October 28, 2021. Host employers must apply to the program with a fellow candidate identified. Employers will need to provide an outline of specific activities the fellow will undertake over the 12-month period. The projected timeline for applications is: 

Fall 2021, Cohort 1; Winter/Spring 2022, Cohort 2; Winter/Spring 2023, Cohort 3.

NYSERDA will conduct an informational webinar on September 16, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. EST to review the solicitation requirements and answer questions. Interested attendees can register by emailing to WFinfo@nyserda.ny.gov with the subject line "PON 4772 Climate Justice Fellowship" to request further information.