Wind Power Fellowships

Applications are now closed.

Stay tuned for the announcement of the 2025 Wind Power Fellowship Cohort!

About the Wind Power Fellowships

Uplifting future industry leaders is core to WRISE’s mission and work. Our Wind Power Fellowships, the Rudd Meyer and Wind at Our Backs Fellowships, offer students and recent graduates a unique opportunity to attend the ACP Cleanpower conference, join the WRISE network, and receive individualized support from both WRISE and their peers.
The Wind Power Fellowships have been a critical part of WRISE’s history and date back to the early days of the organization. We’re excited to re-launch these landmark fellowships for our 20th anniversary year.

Wind Power Fellows receive:

  • Free access to ACP’s CLEANPOWER conference*
  • Mentoring and networking opportunities
  • Professional development programming
  • And the chance to learn and collaborate with 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 (April – May 2025), fellows will be expected to attend the CLEANPOWER conference, as well as pre and post conference virtual meetings. 

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

Rudd Mayer Fellowship

 

Each year, Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy awards Wind Power Fellowships in honor of wind industry pioneer Rudd Mayer of Boulder, Colorado, who passed away in 2002.

The Rudd Mayer Memorial Fellowships support the professional development of our fellows, facilitating leaders in the renewable energy field, and connections with employers about potential internships or permanent positions.

Rudd Mayer Fellowship Eligibility

  • The fellowship is available to anyone 18 and older who identifies as a woman or marginalized gender identity, or feels they belong in our community of women. All applications are welcome and will be considered.
  • Both those who are currently enrolled as a student or recent graduate of a college, university, or technical certificate program (including graduate degree programs) are eligible
  • Applicants may be interested in any sector of wind energy, including academic, manufacturing, technical, consulting, engineering, finance, and others
  • Applicants must be planning to pursue a wind energy career in the United States

Wind at Our Backs Scholarship

 

In 2016, WRISE launched a new scholarship program that provides a tuition stipend to further the education of women and marginalized genders in wind energy. This scholarship helps to diversify the wind energy workforce, as well as provide greater opportunities for those in the field.

The scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis with a target of granting three-to-five scholarships each year. Recipients will be selected using same criteria as the Rudd Mayer Fellowship in addition to being actively enrolled in a wind technician or similar program at an accredited college, university, or vocational institution.

Wind at Our Backs Scholarship Eligibility

  • The fellowship is available to anyone 18 and older who identifies as a woman or marginalized gender identity, or feels they belong in our community of women. All applications are welcome and will be considered.
  • Only those who are currently enrolled as a student of a wind technician or similar program at an accredited college, university, or vocational institution are eligible
  • Applicants must be planning to pursue a wind energy career in the United States

How to Apply

 

Please note: 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.

Selection Process

 

Fellowships and scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis. Fellows are selected by the WRISE Fellowship Committee, based on:

  • a demonstrated interest in renewable energy
  • academic achievement
  • work and volunteer experience
  • potential for future contributions to the U.S. renewable energy community
  • financial need

Meet Past Cohorts of WRISE Wind Power Fellows

Meet our past Wind Power Fellows
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