NJEDA Clean Energy Fellowship Program
Be a Part of a Year-Long Research Fellowship in Clean Energy
The Clean Energy Fellowship Program, funded by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), supports students conducting research that advances clean energy and builds expertise across a range of clean energy concepts. Through this program, students at participating universities can receive funding to further their faculty-mentored research over the course of an academic year.
Program Details
For the 2026-2027 academic year, the Rutgers Clean Energy Fellowship will support six doctoral or PhD-level graduate students.
Fellows will conduct independent research in clean energy sectors including solar, wind, geothermal, green hydrogen, fuel cells, biomass, tidal, nuclear, and hydropower, while working closely with their university faculty advisors. Beyond financial support, the program offers opportunities to connect with fellow researchers and expand industry knowledge through monthly cohort meetings, guest lectures, site visits, and other professional development activities.
At the conclusion of the program, fellows will showcase their work at the annual Clean Energy Research Symposium, presenting their research findings to industry, academic, and community stakeholders.
Program Activities
The fellowship experience includes activities hosted by both Rutgers University and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA). Together, these offerings provide fellows with opportunities for community building, professional development, networking, and engagement with New Jersey's clean energy ecosystem.
Rutgers-Hosted Activities
Rutgers will host a variety of activities throughout the fellowship to foster community, support professional growth, and enhance the overall fellow experience.
- Welcome Lunch (Fall Semester)
Fellows will gather at the start of the academic year to connect with their cohort, build relationships, and learn about program expectations, opportunities, and available resources. - Cohort Check-In Sessions
Regular group meetings led by the program lead, Dr. Itzamarie Chévere-Torres, will provide opportunities for fellows to share progress, discuss challenges, exchange ideas, and strengthen peer connections. - Rutgers Canvas Course
All fellows will have access to a dedicated Canvas site that serves as the program's central communication hub, featuring announcements, NJEDA and partner updates, event information, resources, and important calendar reminders. - PREP Career Program (April)
Six fellowship participants will receive reserved spots in the Rutgers Office of Postdoctoral Advancement's PREP Career Program. Through structured career exploration, skills assessment, and professional development activities, fellows will gain valuable tools and guidance to prepare for a broad range of future career opportunities while complementing their fellowship experience.
NJEDA-Hosted Activities
NJEDA will provide fellowship-wide programming designed to connect fellows with industry leaders, showcase research impact, and strengthen engagement within New Jersey's clean energy sector.
- Fellowship Cohort Meetings
NJEDA will organize at least four cohort meetings during each fellowship year, bringing fellows together for networking, knowledge sharing, and program engagement. - Industry Engagement Opportunities
NJEDA will recruit and engage key industry stakeholders throughout the program, providing fellows with valuable exposure to leaders and organizations across New Jersey's clean energy ecosystem. - Clean Energy Research Symposium
NJEDA will host a Clean Energy Research Symposium where fellows can present their research, exchange ideas, and connect with peers, faculty advisors, industry representatives, and other stakeholders. - Recognition and Research Dissemination
NJEDA will highlight fellowship participants by publishing the names of fellows and faculty advisors, along with fellows' final presentation materials, on the NJEDA website to showcase program accomplishments and research outcomes.
Eligibility
- Open to all graduate students enrolled in a doctoral or PhD program.
- Candidates must not be in the final year of their doctoral or PhD program. Graduate students must have an expected dissertation defense after June 2027.
- Open to students from all Chancellor-led units, including Rutgers University–Camden, Rutgers University–Newark, Rutgers University–New Brunswick, and Rutgers Health.
- Open to students across all academic disciplines, including STEM, the humanities, and the social sciences (e.g., public policy, urban planning), whose research focuses on clean energy topics.
- Eligible clean energy research areas include, but are not limited to, solar, wind, geothermal, green hydrogen, fuel cells, biomass, tidal, nuclear, and hydropower technologies.
Program Timeline and Stipend Breakdown
Progam Duration
Graduate Fellows
- The fellowship period runs from October 2026 through August 2027.
- The research fellowship should last at least 24 weeks and no more than 52 weeks within one academic year.
Stipend Breakdown
- Graduate Fellows will receive a $27,000 stipend during the fellowship period.
- Fellows will also receive up to $500 in research-related support to help offset eligible research expenses.
- Stipend payments will be administered according to the procedures of the fellow's academic program and departmental business office. Payment schedules may vary and may be distributed on a biweekly or semester basis.
- Note:This fellowship does not provide tuition remission or fringe benefits for Graduate Fellows.
A National Leader in Social Mobility
Rutgers welcomes nominations of graduate students from different social and economic backgrounds for the Clean Energy Fellowship Program funded by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority.
“Rutgers places students at the heart of one of the nation’s most diverse and economically dynamic regions. Coupled with the university’s top-tier ranking in social mobility, Rutgers serves as a powerful incubator of access, opportunity, and impact—shaping the next generation of leaders and innovators.”
William F. Tate IV
President
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Nomination Process
Nominations open on August 17, 2026.
Faculty advisors may nominate doctoral or Ph.D. students conducting clean energy-related research under their guidance. The nominating faculty advisor must be the student's current research mentor and agree to continue mentoring the fellow throughout the program.
Faculty advisors may nominate their doctoral or Ph.D.-level students by following these steps:
- Obtain the nominee's curriculum vitae (CV).
- Complete the nomination form (Word Document)
- Submit the completed nomination form and nominee's CV via the Qualtrics Submission Portal.
Nominations must be received no later than September 17, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
The Clean Energy Fellowship Program is designed to encourage and support interdisciplinary student research in topics that further the development of, and build student expertise in, clean energy concepts. Undergraduate and graduate university students at participating universities will be provided the opportunity to conduct paid, independent research in various sectors of clean energy, including solar, wind, geothermal, green hydrogen, fuel cells, biomass, tidal, nuclear, and hydropower, under the mentorship of a university faculty advisor over an academic year. In addition to financial stipends, students will receive the opportunity to gain industry knowledge through monthly cohort meetings, guest lectures, site visits, and other activities. Students will present their research findings to industry, academic, and community stakeholders at an annual Clean Energy Research Symposium.
-
New Jersey research universities classified by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education as R1 (Very High Research Activity) or R2 (High Research Activity) as of November 2025. These universities are: Rutgers University, Rowan University, Montclair State University, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Kean University, Princeton University, Stevens Institute of Technology, and Seton Hall University.
-
Nominees should be current graduate students enrolled in a doctoral or PhD program in any field of study, including engineering, science, social science, humanities, and medicine. This fellowship will be open to graduate students across all Rutgers Chancellor-led units.
-
We are accepting six graduate fellows.
-
The program includes both in-person and virtual activities. Fellows will participate in a variety of program events hosted by the Rutgers University Academic Affairs or the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), including—but not limited to—a welcome lunch, at least four Fellowship cohort meetings, group check-in sessions, and the Clean Energy Research Symposium. Fellows should also plan for regular meetings with their faculty mentors.
The format of research activities will vary by project and faculty mentor. While many projects may involve in-person research, some research activities may be conducted remotely at the discretion of the faculty mentor.
-
The fellowship period will run from October 2026 through August 2027.
The research fellowship should last at least 24 weeks and no more than 52 weeks within one academic year. -
No, the fellowship does not cover tuition for graduate fellows. Fellows are provided with a stipend of $27,000 and $500 for research-related expenses to use as they see fit.