Renewable Energy Fellowship

Thank you for your interest in our Renewable Energy Fellowship!

Applications for the 2026 cohort are now closed.

GRID Alternatives and WRISE are partnering again for the renewable energy fellowship program to give aspiring professionals from diverse backgrounds the opportunity to pursue a career in renewable energy. The program, part of GRID and WRISE’s workforce diversity initiatives, is aimed at anyone training for clean energy careers in a collegiate or technical training program.

Renewable Energy Fellows receive:

• Free access to the RE+ conference*;
• Specialized program content exclusively for fellows;
• Mentoring and networking opportunities;
• And the chance to collaborate with and learn from a peer group of fellows.

*Please Note: WRISE will cover conference registration, travel, and lodging expenses upfront and provide an expense card for additional onsite needs like meals and local transportation

During the one month duration of the fellowship (estimated 10/5/2026-11/20/2026), fellows will be expected to attend the RE+ conference in-person, as well as virtual meetings before and after the conference.

Contact fellowships[at]WRISEnergy[dot]org with questions.

Eligibility

• The Renewable Energy Fellowship is available to anyone 18 and older. All applications are welcome and will be considered.
• Currently enrolled as a student or is a recent graduate of a college, university, or technical certificate program (including graduate degree programs as well as installer training programs) and is not yet in the industry.
• Must be located in the United States at the time of the fellowship.
• Fellowship applicants may be interested in any sector of renewable energy, including academic, manufacturing, technical, consulting, engineering, finance, and others
• Applicants must be planning to pursue a renewable energy career in the United States and will benefit most if interested in the solar industry specifically.
• Current GRID Alternatives SolarCorps Fellows are not eligible for this fellowship.

How to Apply

You will need to have the materials listed below ready in PDF document form to upload into the application.

Application materials must include:

• Current resume or professional vitae;
• Academic transcript (official or unofficial);
• At least one Letter of Recommendation,
• Essay (max 750 words) – see prompts below.

Essay Prompt Please describe why you are interested in the Fellowship, highlighting your academic and work history, experience with renewable energy, career goal(s), and how the Fellowship will benefit you, your community, campus, and/or organization.

Selection Criteria

• Demonstrated interest in renewable energy;
• Academic and/or vocational achievement;
• Work and volunteer experience;
• Potential for future contributions to the U.S. renewable energy community;
• Financial need.

Key Dates

• June 22nd, 2026: Applications open
• July 10th, 2026: Applications close
• August 2026: Applications are reviewed and finalist interviews
• September 2026: Winners are notified
• October 2026: Weekly virtual prep meetings
• November 16 – 19, 2026: RE+ Conference, Las Vegas, NV (in-person)
• First week of December: final close out/Fellowship debrief

Past Cohorts

Meet Past Cohorts of WRISE Fellows

Meet our Past Fellows!

Support Future Cohorts

Interested in supporting a future cohort of Fellows? Learn more here.