Future Abrams Climate Fellows

Over the course of the fall, winter, and spring quarters, fellows participate in a dynamic learning community built around three core dimensions:

1. Climate Crisis Masterclass

Fellows meet weekly for interactive sessions covering topics such as the science and impacts of climate change, energy systems and the transition to renewables, carbon markets, climate policy, and emerging technologies. The curriculum also includes strategic topics such as communications, coalition building, and negotiation. Sessions are led by Northwestern faculty and complemented by guest lectures from leaders in clean energy, sustainable finance, and climate innovation. The goal of the classroom component is to equip every fellow with a strong foundation in climate fluency and leadership.

2. Team Building & Climate Treks

Each quarter, fellows participate in curated mini treks focused on specific dimensions of climate action—such as biodiversity conservation, sustainable agriculture, or clean energy innovation. These experiences are designed to foster connection, deepen understanding, and spark interdisciplinary collaboration. Fellows also engage in off-site team-building excursions to strengthen cohort bonds and shared purpose.

3. Experiential Climate Action Consulting Projects

At the start of the fellowship, students rank a portfolio of climate action projects sourced from mission-driven organizations across sectors. Fellows are placed in interdisciplinary teams of 4–5 and work throughout the year on high-impact engagements. Fellows should anticipate that 70-80% of their time spent in the fellowship will be dedicated towards supporting their experiential climate action project. Projects are guided by the Academy’s Executive Director, Matthew Roling, and have included partnerships with sustainable aviation fuel producers, climate tech venture capital firms, ocean conservation NGOs, investment banks, and plant-based food innovators. Each project team will also be supported with financial resources to deliver on their objectives. 

These projects serve three goals:

1. To provide fellows with firsthand experience driving measurable climate impact
2. To help fellows grow as leaders in interdisciplinary teams
3. To allow each fellow to explore a climate action topic aligned with their career ambitions or personal interests

• Gain hands-on climate action experience in a groundbreaking immersive leadership development program. 
• Partner with transformative organizations to deliver trailblazing solutions to the climate crisis.
• Expand your skills as a climate and sustainability leader and prepare to lead impactful climate action in your career.
• Learn how to develop interdisciplinary solutions to the climate crisis by collaborating with graduate students from around the Northwestern community, including the Kellogg School of Management, McCormick School of Engineering, Medill School of Journalism and Pritzker School of Law. 
• Join a dynamic community of change agents making a lasting impact.

• Student applications are accepted on our website in two phases: spring and summer.    
• Interdisciplinary student teams are formed and matched with a corporate partner by August.
• Fellowship teams work with corporate partners on climate action projects from September to June while completing the Abrams Climate Academy experiential learning course for credit. 
• Fellows present the results of their year-long projects at the annual Climate Action Summit, a capstone event that gathers students, industry leaders and the broader Northwestern sustainability community each spring. 

To apply for the Abrams Climate Academy Fellowship, you must: 

• Be a graduate student at Northwestern University
• Be fully committed to completing the client-facing project and participating in the experiential learning course for the full academic year.
• Attend weekly class sessions and regular team project meetings.
• Contribute to a team project with an organization partner from September to June.
• Present your final deliverable at the annual Climate Summit in the spring.

• Applications will be accepted in two rounds: spring and summer. 
• Graduate students in two-year programs should apply by the Round 1 deadline in the spring. 
• All other graduate students should apply by the Round 2 deadline in the summer.
• The formal deadlines will be shared in March and the application will go live on the website in the spring.

• Applications are reviewed by the program administration and screened for the following qualities: commitment to the program, passion for climate and sustainability work, leadership, collaborative spirit and capacity to serve as a climate change agent. 
• Selection to the program is highly competitive.
• Students are notified of their acceptance in the program, placed on teams and matched with a project partner by the first week of August. 
• The organization partner and project team matching process is managed by the program administration based on interest and relevant skills.  

• At the time of application, Fellows must fully commit to all components of the program, including weekly class sessions, regular team meetings and project work from September to June. 
• Fellows must waive opportunities for other programs that would conflict with their fellowship commitment, including the study abroad program. 
• Fellows should plan to spend 6-10 hours each week from September to June in class, team meetings and completing project work. 
• Projects will be strategic, high impact, and centered on emission reductions, climate resiliency, or biodiversity conservation.
• Organization partners/projects may vary across sectors, such as energy, food and agriculture, built environment, transportation and mobility.
• A Fellow’s commitment does not end when the deliverable is presented in Spring Quarter. Abrams Climate Fellows are committed to climate innovation in their careers and become future mentors and project partners for the Abrams Climate Academy.