Call for Senior Fellow Nominations

Our Senior Fellows Program brings distinguished practitioners to the Kleinman Center for one- to three-year part-time fellowships to deepen their own professional development while expanding the center’s intellectual reach, policy relevance, and impact. Senior Fellows are accomplished experts in their fields, with demonstrated experience as policymakers, regulators, industry leaders, or analysts. These fellowships are intended to complement the applicants work outside the Kleinman Center.

This year, the Kleinman Center seeks to add a Senior Fellow to advance research and policy engagement on how public and private finance can be mobilized to meet global climate goals. Reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 will require global clean energy investment to triple to around $4 trillion annually by 2030 (IEA). At COP29, countries agreed on a New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) to scale up climate finance to developing countries to at least $1.3 trillion per year by 2035—a crucial step toward low-emission and climate-resilient development.

Qualified candidates should present a comprehensive plan for how their fellowship would advance the Kleinman Center’s role in answering any of the following questions, or other questions of similar thematic relevance:

• How can international climate finance be scaled to meet the investments required for the net-zero transition?
• What policy instruments most effectively leverage private investment in climate adaptation and mitigation in developing countries?
• How can finance mechanisms be structured to reduce perceived risk (including political and regulatory risk, macroeconomic risk, demand risk, project specific risk, lack of data)?
• What are the barriers to accessing global climate funds for developing countries, and how can these be reduced?
• What financing models best address loss and damage in developing countries facing irreversible climate impacts?
• How should innovative financial instruments be designed, evaluated, and implemented?
• How can ESG valuation methodologies and climate risk disclosures be improved to enable more efficient capital allocation toward sustainable investments?
• What role can central banks and financial regulators play in mainstreaming climate risk into monetary and financial policy?
• What role do institutional investors play in directing capital toward sustainable investments?
• What are the best practices for decentralized or community-based climate finance?

Proposals

Each Senior Fellowship should advance a clear, strategic vision that connects the fellow’s expertise with the Kleinman Center’s mission. Proposals should articulate the climate finance challenge or opportunity to be addressed, the intended research, writing, and/or convenings that will emerge, and a strategy for engagement/collaboration with faculty, students, and/or external experts. Proposals should also position the scope of work with the Kleinman Center’s broader research agenda and describe the intended duration and pacing of the fellowship. (Fellowships are part-time, one-year appointments with the option to extend for an additional two years if the scope of work warrants this).

Successful proposals will demonstrate how the fellowship’s activities, partnerships, and outputs create lasting impact beyond the term of the appointment. Proposals should be concise, not exceeding two pages.

The proposed scope of workmay include all or some of the following elements and should be designed to achieve the applicant’s strategic vision for the fellowship:

Research

• Lead an original project to inform policymakers on timely issues.
• Collaborate with Kleinman Center staff or faculty on ongoing research.
• Co-author reports, papers, or policy briefs that advance evidence-based decision-making.

Workshops, Seminars, and Events

• Organize workshops, conferences, or public events that convene leaders across sectors.
• Support Energy Week at Penn.
• Invite speakers or participate in center-sponsored events.
• Deliver guest lectures in classes or seminars.

Commentary and Outreach

• Write articles, op-eds, or blog posts to disseminate ideas and analysis.
• Participate in the Energy Policy Now podcast or other center media.

Teaching and Mentorship

• Teach or co-teach a course.
• Engage with students through seminars, mentorship, or project advising.
• Support student research or experiential learning opportunities.

The Kleinman Center values diverse perspectives and interdisciplinary approaches. We encourage proposals from individuals whose expertise and vision would strengthen the center’s leadership in shaping equitable, sustainable, and innovative energy policy.

Expectations

This is a paid opportunity, with a stipend that reflects the time and engagement proposed by the Senior Fellow. This opportunity is intended to be a part-time commitment by the fellow. Travel expenses are covered. Fellows agree to visit campus at least once a month if they live in the Mid-Atlantic region, or twice a year if they live outside of the region. Each Senior Fellow agrees to at least a full year of engagement, beginning between January and July 2026.

Application Process

Interested parties can submit their proposals using this form before January 30^th, 2026. All proposals must include:

• A cover letter detailing your interest in the fellowship program and why you are a good fit for the center
• Your CV, including any past or present partnerships with Penn faculty.
• A fellowship proposal, as detailed above, not exceeding two pages.