Application for 2023 are closed. Our 2024 application process will launch in the Summer of 2024.
GRID Alternatives and WRISE are partnering again for a Rising Solar fellowship program to give aspiring solar 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 identifying as a woman or marginalized gender training for careers in installation and design as well as college and graduate students studying renewable energy and related fields.
Rising Solar 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. Any further expenses incurred related to the fellowship (food, Uber/Lyft, etc.) are eligible for reimbursement. Please note that if you have difficulty paying for any of these items upfront, this will NOT affect your eligibility – please let us know and we will work with you to find a solution!
During the 2 month duration of the fellowship (estimated 8/17 – 10/5) , fellows will be expected to attend the RE+ conference, as well as pre and post conference virtual meetings. Fellows will be traveling to attend RE+ in-person this year; however, the health and safety of our fellows and team remain a top priority. We will continue to be conscious of COVID-19 and implement appropriate safety protocol.
Contact fellowships[at]WRISEnergy[dot]org with questions
Eligibility
- The Solar Power Fellowship is available to anyone 18 or older identifying as a woman or marginalized gender, who is 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.
- 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.
*At this time, we are only able to accept applications from students or graduates who will be located in the U.S. at the time of the fellowship*
How to Apply
Please note: Applications for 2023 are now closed. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
You will need to have the materials listed below ready in PDF document form to upload into the system.
Application materials must include:
- Current resume or professional vitae
- Essay (approx. 500-1000 words) describing why you are interested in the Fellowship, highlights of academic and work history, experience in wind and renewable energy, career goal(s), and how the Fellowship will benefit you, your community, campus, and/or organization.
- Academic transcript (official or unofficial)
- At least one Letter of Recommendation.*
*Letters of Recommendation must be emailed directly to fellowships@WRISEnergy.org – be sure the Applicant’s name is included in the subject line and the document is in PDF form.
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
Applications for the Rising Solar Fellowship for 2023 are closed.
Interested in supporting our 2023 cohort of Rising Solar Fellows? Learn more here >