FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What does the Fellowship program look like in light of COVID-19?

The safety of our Fellows, speakers, alumni, and community is CELI’s number one priority. Therefore, we are planning on all CELI Fellowship session being held virtually in 2021. If it is safe to do so, based upon local guidance, CELI will help facilitate voluntary, in-person, outdoor social activities for CELI Fellows to connect with each other and alumni in their respective cities.

If sessions are virtual, are you offering the Fellowship outside CELI’s Chapters?

Yes! For 2021, we are excited to offer a National Fellowship Cohort. This cohort will be available to anyone living in the United States outside of the Washington D.C., San Francisco, Chicago, and New York City metro areas. If you currently live in one of those four cities, but are staying elsewhere due to COVID-19, you should still apply to the city-specific chapter.

What is the tuition for CELI’s Fellowship Program?

Tuition for CELI’s 2021 Fellowship Program is $1,450, due no later than May 7, 2021 for accepted applicants. This tuition covers the cost of 21 in-person sessions, access to CELI’s member portal, all Fellowship reading materials and required online energy subscriptions, and support in the development of your Fellowship projects.

Is there an application Fee?

There is no application fee for applicants who apply by between January 4th and February 14th. Applicants applying between February 15th and March 7th will submit a $25 application fee.

Does CELI offer scholarships or payment plans?

Yes! CANDIDATES SHOULD NOT LET THE COST OF THE PROGRAM PREVENT THEM FROM APPLYING.

We are deeply committed to ensuring that every accepted applicant is able to be a part of CELI , regardless of financial need. Thanks to the generous support of our donors and sponsors, CELI provides scholarships ranging from partial to full cost reductions for Fellows who are unable to meet the program costs or the application fee. We kindly ask that requests for scholarships be reserved for applicants who are not able to secure a professional development stipend.

Upon acceptance, CELI works with each applicant individually to determine financial needs, and offers a flexible payment plan (deposit + monthly installments).

How many fellows are accepted to each cohort?

In 2021, CELI is offering four regional fellowships based in Washington D.C., San Francisco, Chicago, and New York City and a single national cohort. Each fellowship class is capped at a maximum of 35 Fellows. Collaboration and connection across CELI’s national fellowship community is encouraged.

What are the weekly Fellowship sessions like?

Weekly sessions are held every Wednesday from 6:30 – 8:30 PM for city-based cohorts, and Mondays from 4:30-6:30pm PT / 7:30-9:30pm ET for the national cohort. Sessions will consist of a mixture of lectures with expert practitioners, panel discussions with leaders in the field, hands-on activities, and small group discussions to build community and connection among Fellows. 

How much time should I expect to spend on the program?

In addition to the weekly sessions, Fellows should expect to spend an additional 2-3 hours a week to stay current with lecture material and connect with other CELI Fellows + Alumni. For the writing and presentation requirements, Fellows spend between 10-20 hours (including project development, editing, and practice sessions) to produce a final deliverable.

While the Fellowship is designed to fit with your current work and personal schedule, you get out what you put in. The value you receive from the program is directly related to the amount of time you invest in your experience.

What is the interview process like?

Qualified applicants will be invited to a 30-minute, virtual interview starting Monday, March 22nd, and ending on Sunday, April 4th. All interviews are led and conducted by CELI alumni, with the purpose of getting to know you, understanding your commitment to building community, driving equity, learning, and leadership capacity within the clean energy industry, and briefly answering questions about the program.

If I don’t work in the clean energy sector, should I still apply?

Yes, we consider candidates who are looking to transition into the clean energy industry who would benefit from our program and network. Transition candidates should have a functional understanding of clean energy, electricity, recent policy and technological developments, and are expected to stay abreast of clean energy topics. Transition candidates should also clearly articulate their intention to begin, and maintain, a career in clean energy.

Please see requirements for transition candidates above.

Are there ways I can get involved if I am not a Fellow?

Yes! In October 2020, CELI launched a new membership to provide resources, education and community outside of our Fellowship program. Additionally, throughout the the year, CELI hosts educational and social events. Please sign up for our newsletter below and check out our events page for more information!

We highly encourage you to subscribe to our newsletter for future events like our recent emPOWER Conference, and hope we can find ways to connect soon!