Tag Archives: USA

2026 WILKES CLIMATE INNOVATION PRIZE

Application Deadline: February 28, 2026

LOCATION: USA

The Wilkes Climate Innovation Prize seeks bold, high-potential solutions that address significant challenges affecting the climate/energy /economy ecosystem and are positioned to make measurable progress toward real-world use.

ELIGIBILITY:

Organizations at all stages, both for-profit and nonprofit, anywhere in the world, are eligible to submit ideas to be considered for the Wilkes Climate Launch Prize. This includes seed, pre-seed, venture-funded, publicly traded stage companies, or nonprofits.

You should consider applying if:

You are working on a solution with a clear real-world application, not only a theoretical concept

Your solution addresses a material climate-system challenge, not a marginal improvement

You can articulate what needs to happen next and what currently stands in the way 

Support at this stage could meaningfully change your trajectory

Organizations at all stages may apply, from early concept through growth, provided the solution is at a stage where catalytic support is relevant.

BENEFIT:

Financial Support: One Grand Prize award of $250,000 USD in non-dilutive funding to support validation, pilots, or readiness for scale

APPLY

COLUMBIA GLOBAL EMERGING SCHOLARS FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

Application Deadline: March 19, 2026

LOCATION: Multiple Regions

The Columbia Global Emerging Scholars Fellowship Program provides opportunities for early-career scholars in the humanities and humanistic social sciences who hold refugee status or have been forcibly displaced. Through the program, year-long fellowships are awarded to support emerging displaced scholars through a Columbia Global Center, where they receive ongoing support to enhance their research capabilities, broaden their professional networks, and advance toward a successful career in academia.

ELIGIBILITY:

Eligible candidates are scholars in the humanities and humanistic social sciences who have been forcibly uprooted from their home countries and respective academic institutions. They could be postdoctoral scholars in the early stages of their careers or Ph.D. candidates who have had their education disrupted. Creative writers, artists, curators, and scholars working on interdisciplinary projects are encouraged to apply.

Requirements:

Must be displaced.

Must have a Ph.D. in the humanities (with rare exceptions, candidates with a non-terminal M.A. or who were on track to get a Ph.D. may be considered).

Must be based in the region of the Global Center to which they wish to apply (Sub-Saharan Africa for Nairobi; Middle East or North Africa for Amman; Latin America or the Caribbean for Santiago).

Must demonstrate at least an intermediate level of English language proficiency.

Must have received their highest academic degree within the last 12 years.  Exceptions to this timeline will be considered to accommodate career-specific trajectories or other circumstances.

While it is preferred that fellows remain in person at the relevant Columbia Global Center for the duration of the fellowship, there is a minimum in-person requirement of six months if it is not feasible for the fellow to remain in person due to immigration, family-related, or other circumstances.

Researchers working on interdisciplinary research projects are welcome to apply.

Fellows are expected to participate in scholarly presentations, workshops, and roundtable discussions. Through the Global Center, they will be connected to a global network of academics and scholars from Columbia University and beyond.

BENEFIT:

Scholars receive the following:

Hosting and workspace at one of the Columbia Global Centers (Amman, Nairobi, or Santiago).

A stipend.

Dedicated mentorship from esteemed Columbia faculty.

A small research/travel fund to support their scholarly endeavors.

Training that meets their academic needs in areas such as academic writing.

Access to a broad selection of online courses.

Full integration into the vibrant life of one of the Columbia Global Centers.

Inclusion in an alumni network.

APPLY