Overview
MBA students who want to connect business skills with climate action can prepare for the 2027 ClimateCAP Fellowship. Applications are scheduled to open on 1 October 2026 and close on 26 October 2026. The programme combines mentorship, professional development and a self-directed climate-and-business project.
There is no application fee or programme fee. As this article is published before the opening date, readers should use the official guidance to prepare their materials and return to the application route when the window begins.
About the Fellowship
ClimateCAP is managed by Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. The fellowship runs from January to December 2027 and brings together MBA students interested in building their understanding of climate-related business challenges.
Participants develop a project alongside learning activities and contact with a peer community. This is an opportunity to explore an issue in depth, improve the way you frame a problem and produce work that communicates what you have learned.
A useful starting point is to consider where your MBA studies meet a climate question that matters to you. Your interest might involve a business decision, an investment challenge or a practical barrier faced by an organisation. The important preparation task is to identify a question you can explore thoughtfully within the time available.
Benefits and Financial Support
The programme offers learning sessions, mentoring, professional development and support for climate-action projects. Fellows also become part of a community with shared interests in climate and business.
Applicants should distinguish the absence of a programme fee from an assurance that every expense is covered. The official structure page says fellows are expected to buy a ticket for and travel to the ClimateCAP Summit in New York City on 5–6 February 2027. Most other activities are virtual.
ClimateCAP’s award policy also states that direct payment of award funds to international students cannot be guaranteed under applicable regulations or institutional policies. Where payment is prohibited, approved Summit and project expenses may instead be reimbursed within the award’s value. Read the current conditions before making financial commitments; this article does not promise a universal cash payment.
Who Can Apply?
The 2027 criteria require applicants to be enrolled in an MBA throughout January–December 2027. Justified exceptions for one-year MBAs or non-traditional academic calendars may be considered. Dual-degree students can qualify when one of their degrees is an MBA.
Applicants from different countries are welcome. A strong command of English is required, and virtual events are arranged during US daytime hours. Professional experience in the climate sector is not mandatory, although applicants should demonstrate a serious interest and the ability to carry out the work.
Check your enrolment dates carefully. Some older FAQ entries on the programme website still refer to 2026 graduation dates; use the dedicated 2027 eligibility criteria when assessing the new cohort and ask the organisers to clarify any unusual academic calendar.
What the Commitment Looks Like
The published structure anticipates approximately one hour of organised events each month during the school year, alongside project work estimated at two to four hours weekly during term and one to two hours weekly in summer. The pattern includes more independent work over summer and renewed feedback and presentation activity later in the year.
Consider the commitment alongside classes, recruitment activities and other responsibilities. A realistic weekly plan can help you choose a project that remains manageable. Allow time for reading, analysis, conversations, revisions and preparing an output that others can understand.
Application Materials to Prepare
The application includes a form, acknowledgement of fellow expectations, a résumé, a video of no more than one minute, short written responses and a project proposal. The official instructions give a proposal length of 1,500–2,200 words and require an adviser who has agreed to support the project.
The video addresses a climate-and-business question the applicant wants to explore. The short responses cover future work, motivation and what the applicant would bring to the cohort. Read the exact prompts and character limits on the official page before drafting your final answers.
For your résumé, select evidence that helps a reviewer understand your preparation. Describe your own contribution to relevant work and use clear, accurate language. Do not treat a lack of previous climate employment as a reason to invent experience; explain the transferable skills and informed interest you actually bring.
Developing a Focused Project Idea
Begin with one specific question, then write a plain-language explanation of why you care about it. Separate what you already know from what you still need to investigate. This helps you avoid proposing a project that relies on unsupported assumptions.
Think about the practical work required to produce an answer. Identify the information you would need, whether you can access it and how you would check its quality. If the idea depends on interviews or external cooperation, consider how those arrangements would be made and what you would do if access proved difficult.
Choose an adviser whose knowledge would help you think more clearly about the problem. Discuss the idea before listing them and agree on a realistic way of staying in touch. These conversations can help you refine an over-large idea into something you can complete and explain well.
How to Apply and Key Dates
Use the Apply Now button below to open ClimateCAP’s official application guidance. The announced application period is 1–26 October 2026. Prepare your materials in advance, then follow the live submission instructions when applications open. Some shortlisted applicants may be invited to a conversation in late November, with notifications planned for early December.
Summary Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Programme | ClimateCAP Fellowship 2027 |
| Audience | Eligible MBA students |
| Duration | January–December 2027 |
| Applications | 1–26 October 2026 |
| Fees | No application or programme fee |
| Support | Mentoring, development and project support, subject to programme conditions |
Conclusion
The ClimateCAP Fellowship can help eligible MBA students turn a serious climate interest into a focused learning project. Start by checking your enrolment dates, choosing a manageable question and discussing it with a suitable adviser. Careful preparation now will make it easier to submit a clear application once the October window opens.
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