RCEI Clean Energy Fellowship Program

Applications for Spring 2026 are now open!

The RCEI Clean Energy Fellowship Program is a prestigious, paid opportunity offered in collaboration with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) and Rutgers Office of Climate Action. This fellowship is designed to provide current Rutgers graduate students (see eligibility requirements below) specialized, hands-on experience within the clean energy sector.

Fellows will complete 130 hours of practical, professional experience over the course of one semester, dedicating approximately 10 hours per week for 13 weeks. Participants will directly contribute to ongoing clean energy projects within New Jersey, gaining meaningful exposure to industry practices, policy development, and economic strategies that shape the future of energy. Fellowships are in person at NJBPU’s offices in Trenton and are available during the fall and spring semesters, and over the summer.

Fellowship Descriptions

Fellows will be placed in one of two NJBPU Programs: the Division of Clean Energy or the Office of Federal and Regional Policy.

Division of Clean Energy (DCE)

The Division of Clean Energy (DCE) promotes energy efficiency and the development of clean, renewable sources of energy. Guided by New Jersey’s goal of achieving 100% clean energy by 2035, the DCE works to lower energy costs, reduce demand for electricity, emit fewer pollutants into the air, and create jobs in the clean energy sector. Rutgers Climate and Energy Institute Fellows embedded in the NJBPU DCE will learn about clean energy technologies, contribute to the development of clean energy programs, and participate in policy development gaining an understanding of legal and regulatory aspects of clean energy initiatives.

Office of Federal and Regional Policy (OFRP)

The Office Federal and Regional Policy (OFRP) manages the NJBPU’s policy concerns related to federal and regional actions. The OFRP works with the U.S. Department of Energy, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, other states within the region, and the regional transmission organization for our region (PJM) to ensure New Jersey’s policies and interests are represented in the dynamic regulatory landscape governing energy systems and the electricity grid. The OFRP team seeks to ensure that New Jersey’s goals, including attaining 100% clean energy, are possible while maintaining reliable and affordable energy services to New Jersey customers. Rutgers Climate and Energy Institute Fellows embedded with the OFRP will work on cutting edge energy policy, learn about state clean energy policies and how they are impacted by actions at the regional and federal level, the legal and regulatory aspects of the energy sector, and how to implement clean energy programs in a way that is equitable to all citizens.

Fellowship Benefits

Professional Mentorshipfrom experts in clean energy
Networking Opportunitiesto enhance career prospects
Potential for full-time Employmentafter graduation
Paid Placementwith practical industry experience

Current RCEI Clean Energy Fellows

Vincent Fedoryka

Master's Student in Economics

Fellowship Year: Fall 2025

Adnan Zia

Master's Student in Public Informatics

Fellowship Year: Fall 2025

Eligibility Requirements & Fellowship Responsibilities

Eligibility

To be eligible for the RCEI Clean Energy Fellowship Program, applicants must:

  • Be currently enrolled in a Rutgers University Master’s program
  • Be pursuing a graduate degree related to one of the following disciplines:
    • Applied Energy Economics
    • Energy-based Engineering
    • Energy Public Policy
  • Have a strong academic record and relevant course work
  • Have strong communication, research, and organizational skills, and the ability to work effectively both individually and in a team environment
  • Be a U.S. citizen OR have appropriate documentation to work in the U.S.

Fellowship Responsibilities

Participants in the fellowship program will:

  • Engage actively in NJBPU clean energy initiatives
  • Collaborate closely with NJBPU professionals and industry leaders
  • Apply academic learning to help develop solutions to practical challenges
  • Participate in networking and professional development activities
  • Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 throughout the Fellowship

How to Apply

Applications for the 2026 Spring fellowship program will be accepted online from September 15 to October 31, 2025. The deadline for all applications and recommendation letters is October 31, 2025, at 5:00 pm EDT.

Submitting your application involves three steps:

  1. Complete and attach your CV/resume, unofficial academic transcripts, and a personal statement to the online application form.
  2. Submit the completed online application form, see here for list of all information requested.
  3. Arrange for three (3) recommenders to email their letters of recommendation directly to cleanenergy@rcei.rutgers.edu.

Applicants will receive an email confirmation once their application packet has been processed. Confirmation of recommendation letters received will be sent via email to applicants and recommenders.

Personal Statement

In 300-500 words, clearly address the following:

  • Your motivation for applying to the fellowship
  • How your graduate course of study relates to at least one of the following disciplines:
    • i) Applied Energy Economics
    • ii) Energy-based Engineering, or
    • iii) Energy Public Policy
  • Your career goals
  • How the fellowship aligns with and supports these goals
  • Your strengths and qualifications as a candidate

Submit your personal statement (as either a Microsoft Word document or Adobe PDF) attached to your online application.

Letters of Recommendation

Three (3) letters of recommendation are required. Your recommenders should be individuals who can speak directly about your academic qualifications and/or relevant experience for the RCEI Fellowship Program. At least one recommender should be a faculty member, preferably from Rutgers. New or transfer graduate students may use professors from their previous institution.

Letters must be addressed to the "Clean Energy Fellowship Selection Committee" and emailed directly by the recommender (as either a Microsoft Word document or Adobe PDF) to cleanenergy@rcei.rutgers.edu. Recommendation letters submitted by applicants or sent in paper form will not be accepted. Recommendation letters remain confidential between recommenders and the RCEI selection committee.

All recommendation letters must be received by October 31, 2025, at 5:00 pm EDT to be considered. Applicants and recommenders will receive email confirmation once letters are received and processed by RCEI.

Selection Criteria, Timeline, and Compensation

Selection Criteria

Successful candidates will be selected based on:

  • Academic performance and relevant coursework (Note: While there is no minimum GPA requirement to apply, selected Fellows usually have a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher)
  • Demonstrated interest in clean energy topics
  • Professional and/or academic recommendations
  • Quality and clarity of the personal statement
  • Demonstration of strong communication, research, and organizational skills including the ability to excel in self-directed and teamwork.

Application Timeline and Process

  • Applications Open: September 15, 2025
  • Application Deadline: October 31, 2025, 5:00 pm EDT
  • Video interviews: November to Mid December 2025 (selected applicants)
  • Selection Notification: Mid December 2025
  • Fellowship Duration: 13 weeks, starting January 2026

Applicants will receive confirmation emails upon processing their application and receipt of recommendation letters. Recommendation letters remain confidential between recommenders and the RCEI selection committee and cannot be viewed by applicants.

Selected candidates will be contacted via email for an initial video interview. Candidates who successfully complete the first interview will be invited for a second video interview with NJBPU.

Compensation

Participants will receive compensation at an hourly rate of $20 for the fellowship hours completed.

Contact Information

For further inquiries or additional details regarding the RCEI Clean Energy Fellowship Program, please contact cleanenergy@rcei.rutgers.edu.

Fellowship FAQ

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