Leading on Climate Fellowship

Bonnie Reiss Leading on Climate Fellowship 2026-27

Overview

The Bonnie Reiss Leading on Climate Student Fellowship program engages and energizes students in support of UC’s climate action and sustainable food goals. The fellowship program is funded by the UC President’s Global Climate Leadership Council (GCLC) in support of the President’s Leading on Climate priority. 

• Shaping the university’s climate action programs and supporting the university’s aggressive goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions while creating a more equitable, sustainable, resilient and healthy world.
• Conducting projects and engagement that support the University’s sustainable food procurement goals and sustainable agricultural practices.

Fellowship Responsibilities

All fellows must work for the duration of the academic year. Fellows are also expected to attend certain systemwide events. Systemwide activities for the coming program year include:

• A virtual orientation session in the fall
• An in-person leadership training in the fall
• Fellow meetings and topical trainings for fellows working on similar projects throughout the year
• A virtual closing symposium and poster presentation in late spring
• Periodic conference calls to discuss individual projects and share best practices with peers

Award Amount

$5,000 for the academic year

Fellowship Positions

Climate Action Fellows

Apply on Handshake | Job #11183607

Application deadline: August 2, 2026

Open to: All undergraduate and graduate students

UC San Diego Campus and UC San Diego Health are hiring a total of five Climate Action Fellows for the 2026-27 academic year – three fellows on the main campus supporting UC San Diego Utilities & Sustainability and two fellows on the health campus supporting UC San Diego Health Sustainability. Fellows will be placed in one of the following focus areas based on their interests and skills:

• Climate Action Fellow – Climate Action Planning (3 total fellows – 2 fellows for main campus, 1 fellow for health campus): The Climate Action Planning Fellow will support efforts to reduce emissions and enhance climate resilience across the campus and/or health communities. Projects will focus on supporting implementation of UC San Diego’s recently completed Sustainability and Climate Action Plan, including conducting quantitative and qualitative assessments, researching best practices and potential climate solutions, and helping educate and inform the campus community about decarbonization priorities. The fellow will also serve as student representatives during campus events and meetings, helping communicate climate action initiatives and foster collaboration among campus partners.
• Climate Action Fellow – Student Engagement (2 total fellows – 1 fellow for main campus, 1 fellow for health campus): The Climate Action Student Engagement Fellow will support sustainability and climate action outreach efforts across the campus and/or health communities. Projects will focus on student, staff and stakeholder engagement, including advancing long‑term communications for UC San Diego’s Sustainability and Climate Action Plan, coordinating and promoting recurring climate focused events, representing and presenting sustainability information to the campus community, and collaborating with student groups, clinical staff, and campus or health system partners to strengthen participation in climate action.

Sustainable Agriculture and Food Fellows

Apply on Handshake | Job #11183654

Application deadline: August 2, 2026

Open to: All undergraduate and graduate students

UC San Diego Campus and UC San Diego Health are hiring a total of three Sustainable Agriculture and Food Fellows for the 2026-27 academic year. These students will work under the direction of Dr. Amy Lerner, faculty member in the Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning, and a site supervisor.

• Food Sustainability and Health Equity Engagement Fellow (1 fellow): The Engagement Fellow will work with The Hub, Basic Needs Center to coordinate community organizing and outreach efforts for the Food Security Portfolio, including but not limited to, the Triton Food Pantry, Food Recovery Network, and CalFresh Outreach. Projects could include creating unique educational campaigns, expanding social media engagement, and participating in food security efforts on campus.
• Projects in sustainable and equitable food systems at UC San Diego and across San Diego (1 fellow): As a Sustainable Agriculture and Food Fellow, you have the opportunity to link up with ongoing projects in sustainable and equitable food systems. Such projects could include: UCSD Food and Garden resources: Fellow would be working to support Campus Gardens and their capacity to provide food for students, green space, educational opportunities, and wildlife habitat.
• Sustainable Procurement at UC San Diego (1 main campus): As a Sustainable Agriculture and Food Fellow, you will work with UC San Diego Residential Retail Supply Chain Services Sustainability, Dining, and Procurement to support efforts to advance sustainable procurement goals in alignment with the University of California Office of the President Sustainable Practices Policy. Potential project areas may include:
  • Evaluating price differentials between conventional and sustainable products
  • Identifying and assessing diverse and resilient sources of sustainable products
  • Comparing sustainability certifications and labeling systems
  • Developing recommendations for marketing and communication strategies related to sustainable food offerings