Opportunities Database
The SRC welcomes opportunity submissions related to sustainability from any organization. These can include fellowships, internships, jobs, research, grant or stipend funding, and any other opportunities for undergraduate, graduate, and recent alumni. If you have questions about what qualifies, please reach out at sustainability-center@uci.edu
RCC National Environment Leadership Fellowship (NELF)
Organization: Rachel Carson Council
Description:
The RCC National Environment Leadership Fellowship (NELF) Program is designed to identify outstanding students with a passion for environmental education, organizing, and advocacy and provide them with financial support to carry out valuable projects and campaigns on behalf of the RCC. To apply to the program, students propose projects that are focused on sustainability and environmental justice to be carried out from their campuses and their communities. Individuals considering applying to the program may consider a wide variety of potential projects. Former fellows have run projects ranging from divestment campaigns to podcasts on environmental justice issues to campaigns for renewable energy infrastructure.
***The deadline to apply for the 2025-2026 NELF program is April 15, 2025***
Special consideration will be given to fellows applying in areas where the Rachel Carson Council has ongoing campaigns or work. These include, but are not limited to: divestment, renewable energy, particularly solar energy, and environmental justice issues. More information about RCC’s work can be found on our
RCC Fellows become nationally recognized environmental youth leaders. If accepted into the program, Fellows will become active members of the RCC national campus program with thousands of active faculty, students, staff and administrators at more than 75campuses. They will also benefit from the mentorship of longtime national climate and environmental advocate, expert, and author Dr. Robert K. Musil, and RCC senior staff.
RCC Fellows selected for the 2025-2026 cohort will also benefit from attending atuition-free, board-free, in-person RCC American Environmental Leadership Institute (AELI) for the 5 days from July 20-24, 2025. The AELI will be held at the Rockwood Manor Retreat Center adjacent to the C&O Canal National Park just outside Washington, DC, one of Rachel Carson’s favorite haunts for bird watching and enjoying nature.
Faculty for the AELI include Dr. Musil, RCC staff, selected members of the RCC National Advisory Council, noted writers, environmental educators, organizers, and NGO leaders. You can see the RCC National Advisory Council here: .
How it works
Upon successfully developing a project proposal and being accepted into the Fellowship cohort, all fellows will attend the 2025 summer RCC American Environmental Leadership Institute (AELI), taking place from July 20-24, 2025. There, Fellows will develop project plans for the upcoming year, participate in workshops to hone their leadership, writing, advocacy, and organizing skills, and meet their cohort while also networking and learning from RCC senior staff and national environmental leaders on the
Following completion of the fellowship workshops, RCC Fellows will report to their campuses and begin their work for the academic year 2025 – 2026. Over the course of the year, RCC Fellows will have mentorship calls with RCC staff and other members of the fellowship cohort to collaborate and enhance their projects.
During the year, Fellows will have the opportunity to publish writings about their work for the RCC to be shared on the RCC website and distributed through RCC networks and social media. Each Fellow will be responsible for deliverables each month, including photo essays (blogs). Fellows’ writing may grow out of their projects or campaigns but may also include other issues relevant to the work of RCC. A critical component of the fellowship program, fellows will be able to hone their writing over the course of the year and receive mentorship on their work.
RCC Fellows will also develop critical contacts and experience and, upon completion of their term, join the RCC alumni network as they look forward to careers as engaged environmental leaders.
Fellows should expect to work on their project or campaign each week over the course of their fellowship, carry out 7-10 advocacy hours per semester (presenting about your project in classes, attending RCC webinars and events) as well as promote the RCC and encourage RCC membership and participation in its events and actions by students and faculty.
All RCC Fellows receive a $2,000 stipend distributed throughout the academic year.
Field Science Fellowship
Organization: University of California Natural Reserve System (UCNRS)
Description:
The Field Science Fellowship provides financial support to UC undergraduate-faculty teams conducting scientific research in the field at the UC NaturalReserve System. The fellowships enable students to focus on gaining valuablehands-on research experience under the guidance of a faculty researcher. We especially invite applications from students from ethnic andsocioeconomic backgrounds traditionally underrepresented inthe sciences. Each $6,000 award consists of a $5,000 student stipend and $1,000 to coverproject costs. A maximum of $24,000 will be awarded annually.Funding for Field Science Fellowships is made possible by the SamuelsenConservation Scholars Initiative honoring Roger Samuelsen, the first directorof the UC Natural Reserve System.
Orange County Climate Equity Advocate and Organizer
Organization: Climate Action Campaign
Description:
The Policy Advocate is responsible for advocating for strong Climate Action Plans (CAPs), building electrification policy, and expanding OC Power Authority membership to strengthen climate action in the Orange County region. This position will promote Zero Carbon goals, affordable housing near jobs and transit, bikeable and walkable streets, electrification of buildings, local water and food supplies, social equity, decentralized small-scale renewable energy systems, and an electrified transportation system, as well as focus on climate resiliency efforts. This person will also expand and strengthen relationships with racial and social justice organizations in order to most effectively achieve climate justice in our region.
Ph.D. Fellowships in Climate Change & Environmental Justice
Organization: UCI CLIMATE Justice Initiative
Description:
The UC Irvine CLIMATE Justice Initiative, based in the Department of Earth System Science (ESS), and the Research Justice Shop are recruiting current and incoming UCI Ph.D. students for our 2024-2025 graduate fellowships in climate change, environmental justice, & community-engaged research. Fellows will join the second cohort of our NSF-funded training program, which seeks to develop a Cultural, Learning, and Institutional Model to Accelerate Transformations for Environmental Justice (CLIMATE Justice). These fully-funded fellowships are open to current and incoming UCI PhD students in any discipline with research interests in climate change and environmental justice. Note that we especially encourage applications from PhD students in ESS and related STEM departments. The fellowship period runs for 2 years (Sept. 1, 2024 – August 31, 2026), with the majority of requirements in Year 1, and includes one-year of full funding, including fees.
The PhD Fellowship will include:
Cross-disciplinary and justice-centered approaches to addressing climate change impacts, adaptation, and solutions
Courses and workshops on community-engaged research practices and environmental justice
Work closely with community partners to co-design and conduct team-based projects that address environmental justice issues (our partners include Orange County Environmental Justice, Sacred Places Institute for Indigenous Peoples, GREEN-MPNA, and Crystal Cove Conservancy).
Tailored professional development & career training
Guidance by a diverse network of mentors
Becoming part of a diverse and multi-disciplinary community of students, researchers, faculty, and staff dedicated to centering social and environmental justice in climate change research.
The CLIMATE Justice initiative strives to foster an inclusive and collaborative working environment that welcomes diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and life experiences. We strongly encourage applications from members of historically marginalized communities.
Postbacc Fellowships in Climate Change in Environmental Justice
Organization: UCI CLIMATE Justice Initiative
Description:
We are excited to announce that the NSF-funded UCI Climate Justice Initiative based in the Dept. of Earth System Science, in partnership with the UCI Research Justice Shop, is recruiting six recent college graduates for paid one-year postbaccalaureate fellowships (~$53k/year) focused on climate change, environmental justice, and community-engaged research. This opportunity is open to recent BA or BS recipients (class of 23 or 24) in any discipline, though those from geoscience and related STEM disciplines are especially encouraged to apply! The program will run from September 1, 2024 – August 31, 2025 (and again each year through at least 2027!). Applications are due May 1, 2024. Please be aware that while this opportunity is open to recent graduates from across the US, unfortunately campus housing and relocation costs are not (currently) provided for postbac fellows, though we take every effort to provide fellows with information needed to relocate and secure housing in the area.
CLIMATE Justice Postbac Fellows will:
Learn new technical skills and gain hands-on research experience with UCI faculty who are working on cutting-edge climate research.
Work closely with community partners to co-design and conduct team-based projects that address environmental justice issues (our partners include Orange County Environmental Justice, Sacred Places Institute for Indigenous Peoples, GREEN-MPNA, and Crystal Cove Conservancy).
Attend workshops and classes on environmental justice and community-engaged research methods.
Be guided by a diverse network of mentors.
Participate in professional development activities designed to help you achieve your career goals, whether that be entering the job market or pursuing graduate studies.
Be part of a diverse and multi-disciplinary community of students, researchers, faculty, and staff dedicated to centering social and environmental justice in climate change research.
Receive a Certificate in Climate Change and Environmental justice upon completion of the one-year program.
The CLIMATE Justice initiative strives to foster an inclusive and collaborative working environment that welcomes diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and life experiences. We strongly encourage applications from members of historically marginalized communities, and graduates from Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs). We also encourage applications from those who have had limited opportunities to participate in research or professional development activities during their undergraduate studies.