Project Drawdown launches Climate Science Serving America Fellowship to support scientists working in the public good

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At this critical juncture, nonprofits, foundations, and other research-based organizations must shore up funding and other support for the field – especially for the best and brightest scientists and engineers. That’s why Project Drawdown is proud to announce a new Climate Science Serving America Fellowship to support world-class Ph.D.-level scientists and engineers focused on climate science and climate solutions in the public good.

In the first phase of our program, we will offer 2–3 fellowships to early- or mid-career scientists who are based in the United States. If we can secure additional funding, we will offer additional fellowship opportunities later this year.

“It’s never been clearer that those who invest heavily in climate science – and climate solutions, in particular – today will be the global leaders of tomorrow,” Project Drawdown Executive Director Jonathan Foley, Ph.D., says. “I am proud that Project Drawdown can help play a small role in supporting climate science, which in turn pays rich dividends to society – in America and across the world. And I hope that other organizations, especially pioneering philanthropists, will join us in expanding this support.”

Selected fellows will be provided a competitive salary, benefits, and a small annual research stipend. We will be seeking candidates who excel in research, are focused on climate solutions, and work in the broader public interest. Candidates who have shown a deep commitment to scientific integrity, serving the broader public, and science communication are especially welcome.

These fellows will be expected to work outside the “ivory tower” and serve their community, the nation, and the wider world. They will be expected to share their work publicly through books, podcasts, popular articles, op-eds, speaking engagements, public talks, social media, and more. They will also be expected to serve as a public expert. For example, they can be a voice for science in media, communities, and beyond; act as a pro bono advisor to nonprofits, businesses, foundations, and others; advise state and local governments on climate solutions; or provide expert testimony to governments or courtrooms on critical issues related to climate change. 

“The possibilities – and the needs – are endless,” Foley says. “We want to help these fellows do good science. And we want to make sure their science does good.”

To learn more about the fellowship program and apply by the April 17 deadline, please visit here.

About Project Drawdown
Project Drawdown is the world’s leading guide to science-based climate solutions. Our mission is to drive meaningful climate action around the world. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Project Drawdown is funded by individual and institutional donations.

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Science has long been a cornerstone of American progress and leadership. 

Unfortunately, these are uncertain times for science in America. Climate science, in particular, is facing significant challenges to traditional avenues of funding and institutional support as federal priorities shift. 

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Fellowship seeks early- to mid-career researchers based in America who are committed to science and public expertise
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Climate Science Serving America Fellowship

Project Drawdown is proud to launch a new Climate Science Serving America Fellowship program. This Fellowship will support world-class Ph.D.-level scientists and engineers advancing climate solutions in the world.

This Fellowship will help scientists and engineers do rigorous research, public outreach, stakeholder engagement, and have a real-world impact. Fellows will work alongside a deeply collaborative team of scientists and communicators at Project Drawdown to help translate science into action.

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Nicholas Carter
Nicholas Carter
Nicholas Carter
Nicholas Carter

Nick Carter is a research fellow focused on the Food, Agriculture, Land, Ocean, and Nature-Based Carbon Removal sectors at Project Drawdown. He has a decade of experience working with environmental organizations and is currently director of environmental science at the Game Changers Institute. He co-founded PlantBasedData.org, now evolving into IFFS.earth. He has authored reports on methane and food-system disinformation, guest lectured at Yale and Harvard University, and spoken on panels with experts from Oxford and the Center for Biological Diversity. He previously contributed to the planetary-crisis strategy game Play.Half.Earth and helped launch CLIMAtlantic, a climate adaptation data hub. Nick holds a master’s degree in environmental practice from Royal Roads University.

Al-Amin Bugaje
Al-Amin Bugaje, Ph.D.
Al-Amin Bugaje
Al-Amin Bugaje, Ph.D.

Al-Amin Bugaje is a scientist with a background in electrical engineering and experience in power systems modeling and applied machine learning. His research focuses on developing methods and tools that support the reliable and efficient operation of decarbonized grids. At Project Drawdown, he focuses on assessing climate solutions in the electricity sector. Previously, Al-Amin worked as a research engineer at EDF R&D UK and as a visiting researcher at the Delft AI Energy Lab. He is currently at Hitachi Energy Research Canada, where he works on scalable solution methods for continental-scale simulations. Al-Amin holds a doctorate in electrical engineering from Imperial College London, where his work included synthetic data generation methods for training robust models for power system security-sensitive tasks. 

Al-Amin Bugaje

Al-Amin Bugaje, Ph.D.

Research Fellow
An image of Deepa Shiva

Deepa Shiva

President, Golden Peacock Ventures and Foundation
An image of Lois Quam

Lois Quam

President, Quam Advisory Services
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