About the Program
The Climate Leaders Program for Professional Students at Harvard is a student-led, faculty-advised program for Masters and professional students across all Harvard graduate schools, developed in partnership with the Harvard University Center for the Environment (HUCE).
This program provides students with a hands-on opportunity to engage with others across Harvard who share a professional interest in climate-related work, to mentor one another in their development as practitioners, and to develop professional skills and relationships that support their future careers.
The program – which includes a weekend retreat at the Harvard Forest, dinners and workshops with leaders in the field, and a year-end event – will accept up to 30 Masters and professional students from at least 5 Harvard graduate schools, prioritizing students with a demonstrated interest in climate-related work.
The program will be led by a team of participating students, with guidance from advising faculty. The content of the workshops, dinners, and other programming will evolve throughout the year and from cohort-to-cohort, based on the shared values, interests, and priorities of the current cohort. Participants and faculty will be actively engaged in the design and execution of the program throughout the year.
The Climate Leaders Program for Professional Students at Harvard is a product of many efforts across campus to secure additional opportunities for cross-Harvard collaboration for students with a professional interest in climate-related work. It is primarily organized and administered in partnership with the Harvard University Center for the Environment, with additional partners across the University.
Program Activities
Weekend Retreat at the harvard forest
The program includes a weekend intensive retreat with fellow participants in the Harvard Forest, a 3,500 acres facility owned and managed by Harvard in Petersham, Massachusetts. The forest is a site for internationally-significant climate science research. Students will stay overnight in the Forest in on-site facilities. During the weekend, students will get to know peers from across Harvard's graduate schools who share a professional interest in climate-related work.
dinners with leaders in the field
Over the fall and spring terms, participants will organize at least eight dinners with key leaders and experts in the field, based on the interests of their peers in the program. The climate-related topics covered at these dinners, as well as the overall format of the dinner, are left to the participants to determine together. Program participants will receive support from the Harvard University Center for the Environment and from faculty advisors in securing guests to come speak with students.
Practitioner workshops
Over the fall and spring terms, participants will organize at least four workshops, focusing on developing critical skills. These workshops will allow participates to dive deep into climate-related topics like designing a low-carbon economy, negotiating across differences, managing effective multidisciplinary teams, or other topics of interest to the cohort as a whole.
Additional University Partners
Who is Eligible to Apply?
In order to join, you must be:
A current graduate student (e.g., MBA, MD, MPH, JD, MS, ALM) enrolled at Harvard University for the entire 2023-2024 academic year.
Applicants must attend all mandatory sessions. Our full schedule will be released shortly. Applicants must be fully committed to actively engaging and able to attend all sessions.
Participants will also have the opportunity to take the lead in developing and executing the CLP program in conjunction with the Leadership Team.
APPLICATIONS CLOSED.
APPLICATIONS WILL REOPEN FALL 2024.
Have Questions?
If you have any questions about the program, please feel free to reach out. Our Leadership Team will be in touch with you shortly.