Penn Climate Scholars
Designed for postdocs in particular, this program will build community and expertise for emerging climate leaders.
The Penn Climate Scholars Program aims to harness and stretch postdoctoral fellows’ and advanced graduate students’ emerging expertise, appetite for interdisciplinary collaboration, and innovative approaches during their tenure at Penn.
Building community around climate change, the Penn Climate Scholars Program offers postdocs and grad students opportunities to broaden their perspectives, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and receive support as they move toward becoming leaders in climate-related research and practice.
Program description
The Penn Climate Scholars Program application is now open! Any Penn postdoctoral fellow or advanced graduate student whose work aligns with climate science, policy, and/or action is eligible to apply to be a Penn Climate Scholar. This interdisciplinary cohort will meet monthly to present and discuss research, forge connections, and plan events.
In addition, Penn Climate works with internal and external partners to provide further networking opportunities and a rich environment to foster collaboration, including trips and semesterly workshops that support professional skill-building and career development.
Meetings may include:
- Engagements with professors
- Informal socializing
- Scholarly speed dating/lightning talks
- Job talks
- Networking with visiting scholars
Workshop topics may include:
- Communicating research to a lay audience
- Writing op-eds
- Elevator pitches
- Media interview prep
- Infographics
- Translating research into policy
- Job package preparation and peer review
- Leadership and/or teamwork training
- Identifying funding opportunities
Application Information
Current Penn postdoctoral fellows and advanced doctoral students can apply to become a Penn Climate Scholar by submitting:
- CV
- Statement of research interests, including how the applicant’s work aligns with climate change (maximum 2 pages)
- Form completed by the postdoctoral scholar’s faculty sponsor, acknowledging that the postdoc will be encouraged to attend and actively engage in monthly lunch meetings and semesterly workshops
Eligibility requirements: Applicants must be a current postdoctoral fellow in good standing or a doctoral candidate with a dissertation defense or program completion scheduled in the upcoming academic year. Applicants must commit to attending at least half of the monthly gatherings and workshops, and have more than six months remaining in their time at Penn.
To apply: Send the complete application to climate@upenn.edu with the subject line “[Last Name] Penn Climate Scholars”
UPDATED! Deadline: August 10, 2026
FAQ for Penn Climate Scholar Applicants
Q: What is Penn Climate?
A: Penn Climate is the Office of the Vice Provost for Climate Science, Policy, and Action, headed by Vice Provost Sanya Carley. Penn Climate’s mission is to drive climate scholarship and action from local to global scales, harnessing Penn’s formidable strengths across its 12 schools, health system, centers, and institutes to elevate climate work across campus and catalyze high-impact initiatives that position Penn as a premier hub for climate solutions.
Q: What is the Penn Climate Scholars Program?
A: We aim to harness and stretch postdoctoral fellows’ and late-stage doctoral students’ emerging expertise, appetite for interdisciplinary collaboration, and innovative approaches during their tenure at Penn. Through the program, our goal is to build community around climate change scholarship and action on campus and enable participating trainees to broaden their perspectives, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and receive support as they move toward becoming leaders in climate-related research and practice.
Q: How will I benefit from being a Penn Climate Scholar?
A: You will expand your network through connection with one another and exclusive opportunities to interact with Penn and visiting faculty from across campus and across disciplines. You’ll grow leadership skills through spearheading collaborative initiatives and mentorship opportunities. You’ll gain access to workshops that hone skills needed to ensure your scholarship has impact and to take the next step in your career. And you’ll be eligible to apply for financial support to fund your research or conference travel.
Q: What is the commitment?
A: To become a Penn Climate Scholar, we request that you commit to attending the majority of monthly meetings and semesterly workshops, and show up ready to engage with us and your fellow Scholars.
Q: Am I eligible?
A: You must be a current postdoctoral fellow in good standing or a doctoral candidate with a dissertation defense or program completion scheduled in the upcoming academic year. Applicants must commit to attending at least half of the monthly gatherings and workshops, and have more than six months remaining in their time at Penn.
Q: How do I apply?
A: We welcome applications from postdoctoral fellows and late-stage doctoral candidates whose scholarly interest connect to climate change. To apply, email climate@upenn.edu with the subject line “[Last Name] Penn Climate Scholars” and include:
- Your CV
- Statement of research interests, including how your work aligns with climate change (maximum 2 pages)
- Form completed by your faculty sponsor to confirm they support you in attending monthly lunch meetings and semesterly workshops
Q: I have more questions. Who can I ask?
A: Contact climate@upenn.edu with any additional questions.
FAQ for Faculty Sponsors/PIs
Q: What is Penn Climate?
A: Penn Climate is the Office of the Vice Provost for Climate Science, Policy, and Action, headed by Vice Provost Sanya Carley. Penn Climate’s mission is to drive climate scholarship and action from local to global scales, harnessing Penn’s formidable strengths across its 12 schools, health system, centers, and institutes to elevate climate work across campus and catalyze high-impact initiatives that position Penn as a premier hub for climate solutions.
Q: What is the Penn Climate Scholars Program?
A: We aim to harness and stretch postdoctoral fellows’ and late-stage doctoral students’ emerging expertise, appetite for interdisciplinary collaboration, and innovative approaches during their tenure at Penn. Through the program, our goal is to build community around climate change scholarship and action on campus and enable participating trainees to broaden their perspectives, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and receive support as they move toward becoming leaders in climate-related research and practice.
Q: What is the time commitment for my trainee?
A: We ask that Penn Climate Scholars attend most of our monthly gatherings, generally held over the lunch hour, and make every effort to attend our workshops, held once a semester. The Scholars are also invited but not required to attend monthly Penn Climate Seminars and other events.
How does this benefit my trainee?
A: Program participation will enable Scholars to forge interdisciplinary connections and expand their networks, while honing practical skills in communication, research, and career development. Participating Scholars are also eligible to apply for $5,000 of funding to support their research or conference travel.
Q: I’d like to know more before I support my trainee in this opportunity. Who can I ask?
A: Please contact climate@upenn.edu with any additional questions.