The Northwest Climate Resilience Collaborative (NCRC) is launching the Community-Engaged Fellowship Program in Summer 2025 to connect University of Washington graduate students with community organizations outside of the university. The fellowship program is rooted in the belief that some of the most important climate resilience work is being driven by communities. The Community-Engaged Fellowship Program is designed to accelerate climate adaptation in the Northwest and beyond. It has two goals: 

1. To provide grounded experiential learning that will broaden students’ perspectives and prepare them to have effective, future collaboration and engagement with community-based and nonprofit organizations after graduation, and
2. Equip nonprofits and community-based organizations with relevant skills and support to advance their climate and environmental priorities.   

In summer 2025, the NCRC will pilot the fellowship by pairing up to two fellows with organizations. Fellowships will run from approximately June 23 through August 22. The start and end dates will vary. Fellows will:

• Dedicate up to 20 hours per week to the fellowship 
• Apply their skills and knowledge to complete an identified scope of work
• Meet with NCRC staff regularly to ensure positive engagement with the organization and promote community-engaged learning.
• Receive a stipend to offset living expenses for the duration of the fellowship. 

Early May, we will announce fellowship opportunities and provide instructions on how to apply. Check back then to apply!

APPROACH TO WORK

The NCRC and participating community-based organizations will co-develop a project work plan that corresponds with one of three fellowship categories: Climate Storytelling and Communications, Research and Technical Assistance, and Education. Details will vary depending on the interests and needs of our community partners. Co-production is an interdisciplinary, collaborative approach to project design and implementation between community groups and institutions and will be applied throughout this fellowship. Fellows will gain experience in co-producing outputs and deliverables with a community-based organization and the NCRC.

CLIMATE STORYTELLING AND COMMUNICATIONS FELLOWSHIP

Fellows will gain real-world experience in developing community-oriented communications and storytelling projects that advances the community partner’s mission and project priorities. Fellows may engage in a number of activities such as writing newsletters, planning and coordinating outreach events to storytelling through interviewing, storymapping, or other creative engagement methods. For example, the fellow may assist in developing a website while improving communication methods such as a monthly newsletter.

RESEARCH AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FELLOWSHIP

Fellows will gain experience in research and technical support for a community partner’s project. Areas of research expertise may range from social, natural, or physical sciences. Technical support may include but is not limited to research and project co-design, interviewing and analysis, data collection, literature review, data synthesis and analysis, or data translation. For example, the fellow may conduct a literature review on research on climate impacts relevant to the community and present findings to the community partner. 

EDUCATION FELLOWSHIP

Fellows will gain experience in curriculum and facilitation support for a community partner’s educational program. Educational support may include curriculum design, development, curriculum facilitation, or evaluation to advance the community partner’s mission and project priorities. The Education fellowship emphasizes the value of incorporating multiple ways of knowing and sharing knowledge that goes beyond the traditional western approaches to education. For example, the fellow may create training material for a community partner that highlights climate impacts pertinent to their community in ways that are locally relevant and culturally responsive. 

For questions, please email Nicolette Worrell (nicow88@uw.edu). Additionally, look for a FAQ page, to be uploaded soon.