Silicon Valley Power Sustainable Futures Program

Application Process:

1. Review requirements, qualifications, and project topic areas. Identify a specific project you would like to work on, and be prepared to describe how involvement in this project could advance your career ambitions.
2. Identify an SCU faculty member who is knowledgeable of your academic and career goals to complete a reference form for you.
3. Submit your application before the deadline.

Qualifications:

• Must be in good academic and behavioral standing based on SCU policies and values.
• Must be an undergraduate junior or senior at SCU during the fellowship term.

We are particularly interested in candidates who bring any of the following experiences:

• Come from underrepresented socio-economic backgrounds and/or have experience working with underrepresented/underserved communities (e.g., Black, Latina/o/x, Native American, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, and first-generation),
• Demonstrate a clear intention to pursue a career path in sustainability or clean power sectors,
• Demonstrate strong leadership potential and a commitment to the climate mandate outlined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

• High-Impact Learning Experiences: Students will engage in a 3-quarter-long research project that provides real-world perspectives and experiences, building critical applied skills and enhancing their early career and post-graduate success.
• Partnership Opportunities: In collaboration with the City of Santa Clara, students will lead research and outreach projects to address local climate or sustainability-related issues, enhancing their understanding and ability to develop local solutions while exposing them to green job opportunities.
• Paid Stipend: $5,000 grant for one year to help fund experiences through the University’s Center for Sustainability.
• Career Support: Professional, individualized mentorship and networking opportunities.

The Fellowship experience is designed to enable students to explore intersectional issues surrounding the global climate crisis as well as the application and scaling of climate solutions at the local level, using the City of Santa Clara as a living laboratory. Some topics may be more theoretical, while others may be highly applied in areas such as technology development, behavior change, and data collection and analysis. Interested fellowship applicants propose a project of interest in one of the following areas of the City of Santa Clara's Climate Action Plan:

• Buildings & Energy: Transition to clean renewable energy sources and reduce energy consumption.
• Transportation & Land Use: Transition to clean and efficient mobility options and transportation modes while maintaining accessibility and mobility for all. 
• Materials & Consumption: Increase diversion of waste from landfills, reduce community-wide waste generation, and reduce the upstream GHG impacts of consumption.
• Natural Systems & Water Resources: Foster nature-based solutions, climate-resilient natural landscapes, and help store more carbon in trees and soils. Conserve community water resources by maximizing water efficiency to ensure a secure and sustainable water supply in the face of climate change.
• Community Resilience & Wellbeing: Ensure Santa Clara is prepared and can withstand climate and non-climate emergencies, focusing on those at highest risk.

Timeline:

In Fall Quarter, fellows finalize their projects with guidance from program facilitators, their faculty mentor, and city staff.  Fellows conduct a literature review and develop a research proposal of what exactly they are researching, and how they plan to do the research.

In Winter Quarter, fellows conduct research using their chosen methodology (e.g., conducting surveys/interviews, creating GIS maps).

In Spring Quarter, fellows wrap up their data collection and analyze their findings to develop policy recommendations. The Fellowship concludes with a City Council presentation and policy brief, sharing findings and recommendations for specific projects.  

Scholars will benefit from: 

• Professional networking opportunities. 
• Recurring annual scholarship support throughout the duration of their sustainability-focused studies at Santa Clara University, while they are program participants. 
• Recognition of their involvement in the program.

Students will be informed if they are eligible for this scholarship. Prioritization is given to transfer students and those who come from underserved socio-economic backgrounds (e.g. Black, Latina/o/x, Native American, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, and first-generation). Special thanks to SCU's Enrollment Management Division and Financial Aid for ongoing support to continue these scholarships through the students' time at SCU.