Energy, Climate, and Technology Policy

Applications for the 2026-2027 fellowship cycle are now open.

Fellows will contribute to our ongoing research projects on energy policy, climate policy, climate finance, and energy technology innovation. Current topics of interest include policy options to scale emerging clean energy technologies; pathways and policies for deep decarbonization; the interactions between policies and technologies as we move toward a decarbonized energy system; and the role of artificial intelligence in next generation energy systems.

Research Areas for 2026-2027:

Energy Innovation and Decarbonization Policy for the United States and China

The project’s broad goal is to understand the interactions between policies and technologies as the world tries to decarbonize the energy system while addressing concerns about security, reliability, equity, and cost. Fellows will conduct research that provides actionable insights to policymakers, companies, investors, and society on how technology and policy innovation can accelerate progress towards a decarbonized energy system. We are interested in proposals exploring large-scale carbon management, decarbonizing transportation, carbon capture and sequestration, renewable hydrogen, other renewables, energy efficiency in buildings, financing energy transitions and climate-change adaptation, geopolitical considerations, and the operation and modernization of the electricity grid. Fellows will support our research on policy implementation and regulatory options to scale new clean energy technologies in the United States and China; research should focus on technologies that have the potential to make a significant contribution to national efforts to reach a goal of complete decarbonization of the economy by 2050-2060. 

Global Capital to Climate Finance Fellowship 

We are seeking fellows to join our Climate Finance Research Initiative – an ambitious project focused on developing innovative mechanisms to mobilize capital for climate-related investments in emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs). Building on our work on the Green Swap, the next phase of this initiative will extend to a broader agenda: financing both mitigation and adaptation investments that reconcile climate and development imperatives.

Our research explores how to disentangle climate and development benefits at the project level and design financial structures that can channel global capital toward climate goals without compromising local development priorities. The central research questions include:

1. How can the costs, benefits, and risks of climate and development impacts be disentangled at the project level?
2. What financial structures and mechanisms can mobilize global investors for climate benefits while ensuring that development needs are met in EMDEs?
3. How can carbon markets and novel crediting mechanisms be structured to reward avoided emissions and adaptation benefits?
4. What role can multilateral institutions, guarantees, and blended finance play in lowering the cost of capital for green infrastructure and adaptation projects?
5. How can financial innovation unlock private sector investment in adaptation alongside mitigation?

The project seeks fellows with expertise in infrastructure finance, climate finance, adaptation finance, or the structuring of large-scale markets for carbon credits. Ideal candidates will have experience in designing and executing financial transactions, whether from a legal, financial, or investment banking perspective, and an interest in advancing pragmatic solutions that can scale climate finance in EMDEs.

AI and Data Center Fellowship 

The Belfer Center’s Environment and Natural Resources Program (ENRP) is seeking a fellow to join our AI and Data Center research team. Under the direction of Professors Henry Lee (Belfer Center), Michael McQuade (HKS), and Le Xie (SEAS), the fellow will conduct research on the impact of data centers on both the electric grid and long-term energy markets in the United States. Potential research questions should consider the evolving impact of data centers on the U.S. energy system and develop regulatory/technological options for enhancing grid reliability, efficiency, and fairness. Additional projects may consider the geopolitical impacts and implications of AI as well as the relationship between AI/data centers and the environment, particularly with regard to water resources. Related topics relevant to the current data center landscape may be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

Expectations

Fellows are expected to work in collaboration with each other and with our affiliated faculty and staff. They are also encouraged to engage with associated research teams at other Harvard schools and other institutions.

Stipend

Fellows are provided with a stipend, office space, and some support for research expenses, including travel. Postdoctoral fellows are eligible for Harvard benefits, including health insurance; predoctoral fellows and fellows who received their PhD more than five years ago may receive full or partial reimbursement for health insurance premiums. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply for other sources of funding. All applicants should clearly indicate on their application form whether they are seeking full or partial funding and indicate other potential funding sources.

Application Requirements

• CV/ Resume
• Research statement (3-5 pages) that clearly states:
  • The research question/topic of interest
  • The topic’s relevancy to the current policymaking landscape at a regional, national, and/or international level
  • Planned outputs (papers, conference presentations, etc.) from the project
  • A project plan that outlines how the work will be completed, required resources, and rough timelines
• Writing sample (less than 50 pages)
  • Should be one published or unpublished piece written by the applicant (co-authored pieces not accepted) in English that will demonstrate his/her English-language writing ability
  • Can be a journal article, book chapter, dissertation chapter, white paper, etc. you have produced in your field
• Contact information for 3 recommenders submitting letters on your behalf