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Clean Energy Fellowship Program for University Participants

Applications for the Clean Energy Fellowship Program for University Participants are now live. Please refer to the APPLY HERE button.

The Clean Energy Fellowship Program is designed to encourage and support interdisciplinary student research in topics that further the development of, and build student expertise in, clean energy concepts. Undergraduate and graduate university students at participating universities will be provided the opportunity to conduct paid, independent research in various sectors of clean energy, including solar, wind, geothermal, green hydrogen, fuel cells, biomass, tidal, nuclear, and hydropower, under the mentorship of a university faculty advisor over an academic year. In addition to financial stipends, students will receive the opportunity to gain industry knowledge through monthly cohort meetings, guest lectures, site visits, and other activities. Students will present their research findings to industry, academic, and community stakeholders at an annual Clean Energy Research Symposium. University awards are subject to availability of funding.  Note: The application on this website is for universities. Individual students at participating universities will apply through their academic institutions.

PROGRAM DETAILS

Each selected university will be allocated fellowship spots proportional to its student enrollment size. Universities with a total enrollment above 55,000 students will be allocated six (6) fellowship spots and universities with a total enrollment less than 55,000 students will be allocated three (3) fellowship spots.

Selected universities shall be responsible for the coordination and execution of the following activities:

  1. Within 30 calendar days of signing a grant agreement with NJEDA, submit a Fellowship Administration Plan to NJEDA fo Fellowship Years 1 and 2
  2. Market the Fellowship Program to the university’s student population in a way that raises awareness about the application process among a diverse range of students
  3. Conduct a selection process that facilitates the participation of a diverse set of students
  4. Communicate all requirements for the fellows including attendance at NJEDA monthly meetings and presentation of their research at the Clean Energy Research Symposium 
  5. Connect selected fellows with advisors  
  6. Distribute funds to fellows and advisors throughout the Fellowship 
  7. Within 15 (fifteen) calendar days of completing the selection process for each Fellowship Year, and no later than October 30, 2026 for Fellowship Year 1 and October 30, 2027 for Fellowship Year 2, selected universities shall submit the following to EDA:
    • Details of all fellows, including but not limited to name, email address, degree program, and more  
    • Signed participation forms
    • Signed photo release forms
  8. Track and report program applicant throughput data to NJEDA
  9. Provide NJEDA, if requested, copies of any collateral used to promote the Fellowship program
  10. While not required, aim to select at least one (1) undergraduate and one (1) graduate fellow. The remaining Fellowship slots can comprise either undergraduate or graduate fellows 
  11. For each Fellowship year, set research fellowships for a duration no fewer than 24 weeks and no more than 52 weeks over one academic year. For Fellowship Year 1, the Fellowship Program must begin no later than the Fall 2026 semester and end no later than the Summer 2027 semester. For Fellowship Year 2, the Fellowship Program must begin no later than the Fall 2027 semester and end no later than the Summer 2028 semester, with the addition of Summer 2027 and 2028 at each university’s discretion
  12. Ensure all funds go to eligible uses including the full amount of the fellows’ stipends to the fellows
  13. Meet with NJEDA twice a year to discuss progress of Fellowship Program for  Fellowship Years 1 and 2
  14. Track use of all funds using a budget template provided by NJEDA and submit an interim report by January 30, 2027 and a final report by September 30, 2027 for  Fellowship Year 1
  15. Track all use of funds using budget template provided by NEDA and submit an interim report by January 30, 2028 and a final report by September 30, 2028 for  Fellowship Year 2
  16. Any funds received for Fellowship Years 1 and 2 that are not utilized should be returned to EDA by October 30, 2027 for CE Fellowship Year 1 and October 30, 2028 for CE Fellowship Year 2

For the CE Fellowship Program, NJEDA will:

  1. Organize at least 4  Fellowship cohort meetings each Fellowship Year
  2. Recruit and engage key industry stakeholders throughout the program to maximize the fellows’ exposure to the clean energy industry
  3. Organize the Clean Energy Research Symposium to take place each Fellowship Year
  4. Upon receiving the names of the selected students and their project descriptions, provide schools with 50% of the allocated funding for each Grantee based on the number and graduate level of the selected fellows for each  Fellowship Year
  5. Upon receiving interim reports, provide schools with remaining 50% of allocated funding
  6. Publicize the names of the fellows and advisors, as well as final presentation materials shared by fellows on the NJEDA website


ELIGIBILITY

Applicants must be New Jersey research universities classified by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education as R1 (Very High Research Activity) or R2 (High Research Activity) as of November 2025. These universities are: Rutgers University, Rowan University, Montclair State University, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Kean University, Princeton University, Stevens Institute of Technology, and Seton Hall University.

In addition, the applicant must also be in substantial good standing with the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development and NJDEP. The applicant must also provide a current tax clearance certificate at the time of grant execution to verify that they are properly registered to do business in New Jersey and in good standing with the New Jersey Division of Taxation.

AWARD SIZE

The final grant amount for the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 school years will be determined after the university completes its fellow selection process each year. Final grant amounts per university will be based on: 

  • $13,500 per undergraduate (junior or senior) fellow per year 
  • $27,000 per graduate (masters or doctoral) fellow per year 
  • $500 per fellow for travel, materials, equipment and other fellowship-related costs per year 
  • $2,000 honorarium per faculty advisor for each student per year 
  • 10% of total grant amount for indirect costs, including facilities and administrative fees per year 

Example Award Size

If a university with three spots selected two undergraduate students and one graduate students for a fellowship year, they would receive $67,650 ($13,500 for the two undergraduate student stipends, $27,000 for the one graduate student stipends, $1,500 for the fellows’ travel/materials stipends, $6,000 for the faculty advisor honorariums, which equals $61,500, plus $ 6,150 for the Grantee’s indirect costs)

If all graduate students are selected, the maximum grant amount for a Grantee with three spots is $ 97,530 for each Fellowship Year

If all graduate students are selected, the maximum grant amount for a Grantee with six spots is $194,700 for each Fellowship Year


KEY DATES

  • March 12th- Application launches and Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) posted on NJEDA website at 10 AM EST
  • March 13th- Informational Webinar at 2 PM EST
  • March 25th- Final question submissions close at 5 PM EST
  • April 1st- Application closes at 5 PM EST