2025-26 Accelerator In-Residence Fellowship

The Global Climate Finance Accelerator is currently inviting applications for the 2025-26 Accelerator In-Residence Fellowship available to multi-disciplinary graduate students for the 2025–2026 academic year. These fellowships are generously supported by the Brian and Joannah Lawson Family Foundation and the University of Toronto’s Lawson Climate Institute.

Post date: October 15, 2025

Closing date: October 31, 2025

Purpose

These followships are intended to provide multi-disciplinary graduate students with experiential learning opportunities to gain hands-on experience at the intersection of policy, engineering, science, and investment in the area of climate finance. Recipients will be part of a growing network of Global Climate Finance Accelerators.

Fellowship

Selected graduate students from University of Toronto – Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto – School of the Environment, University of Toronto – Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering, University of Toronto – Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, and University of Toronto – Master of Science in Sustainability Management Program will be provided with $5,000 scholarships per student for the 2025-26 academic year. Up to seven (7) fellowships will be available for the 2025-26 academic year.

Time Commitment

Accelerators In-Residence awarded this fellowship should anticipate a meaningful time commitment throughout the academic year.  Accelerators In-Residence will be expected to participate in weekly two-hour meetings, held either in person or virtually, which may include presentations from industry stakeholders, guest speakers, collaborative discussions on project deliverables, and dedicated time for group work.

In addition to these scheduled sessions, Accelerators In-Residence may be required to engage in independent work or collaborate with other Accelerators In-Residence outside of meeting hours to advance project outcomes.

As deliverables evolve, there may also be opportunities (or requirements) to visit client sites or engage directly with external stakeholders to ensure alignment and impact.

This structure is designed to foster experiential learning, allowing Accelerators In-Residence to apply concepts in real-world contexts, build practical skills, and gain firsthand insight into the challenges and opportunities to accelerate the flow of capital towards effective climate solutions.

Conditions

• To be awarded to a registered full-time graduate student from University of Toronto – Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto – School of the Environment, University of Toronto – Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering, University of Toronto – Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, or University of Toronto – Master of Science in Sustainability Management Program.
• Fellowships are open to a diverse and multi-talented group of graduate students from a range of climate-related disciplines, and focused on, but not limited to climate policy solutions, climate technology solutions, climate finance solutions.

Application Procedure

Please apply via the online portal here. Apply

The application should consist of PDF files containing the following required components. All components should be submitted by 2:00 pm (EST) on October 31, 2025. Please direct any questions to info@globalclimfin.com.

Application components include:

• Description of Interest
  • [500 words max]
  • Describe why you are interested in the GCFA Accelerator In-Residence Program, what you hope to learn and how this experience supports your future professional aspirations.
• Curriculum Vitae
  • Please provide your academic/professional CV.

Criteria for Selection

Applications will be evaluated on these criteria:

• Alignment of graduate student goals and expectations with the Global Climate Finance Accelerator vision and mission.
• Applicant qualifications and academic excellence.