Attention UConn Faculty and Staff Members:

The steering committee for the UConn@COP Fellowship Program is pleased to extend a call for expressions of interest by UConn faculty and staff members who are interested in joining the UConn@COP30 contingent as it travels to Belém, Brazil from November 15-22, 2025 to attend the United Nations Conference of the Parties (UN COP30) climate change conference.

Critically, participation in the formal Fellowship Program and travel with the group require all travel expenses, including flight and hotel fees be self-funded.

Due to space limitations, only two faculty and staff members will be able to stay with the group as part of the official delegation. Nonetheless, anyone already planning to attend the conference is more than welcome to meet with the UConn delegation in Brazil.

Please note, conference passes are scarce and not guaranteed. Priority for passes will be given to students before faculty or staff members. We encourage applicants to seek alternative sources for obtaining an official UN conference badge.

Opportunities to contribute to the program include:

• Leading topic-specific “breakfast club” conversations in the mornings at the conference with the UConn@COP fellows
• Participating in group cultural immersion excursions
• Leading or participating in pre-travel educational meetings
• Participating in the Climate Change Café and Symposium on December 3, 2025 from 4-6pm in the Student Union.

To submit your expression of interest, please email the UConn@COP steering committee at sustainability@uconn.edu by June 13^th.  Please be sure to address the following questions in your email:

1. What contributions to the UConn@COP Fellowship Program might you offer the students?
2. What will you gain professionally by joining the UConn delegation attending COP30?

Please feel free to email the UConn@COP Fellowship Program steering committee with any questions, at:  sustainability@uconn.edu

Applications for the UConn@COP Fellowship Program are now OPEN! Attend the United Nations’ global climate negotiations – the Conference of the Parties (COP) in Belém, Brazil from November 15-22, 2025.

COP brings together diplomats, business executives, heads of government, university leaders, environmental activists, NGO’s and other delegates to discuss progress in dealing with climate change. Through this program, UConn students have participated on panels at international press conferences, networked with global NGO’s, environmentally-minded businesses & renewable energy companies, engaged in immersive art exhibitions, attended film screenings put on by the directors themselves, interacted with international delegates & core members of environmental justice movements, and connected with like-minded, passionate students at other colleges & universities in the U.S. and around the world.

The UConn@COP program funds nearly all travel and registration costs thanks to generous donors. Fellows are responsible for $250, but can request a waiver in the event of hardship.

Apply by April 23, 2025 at 11:59pm. No late applications are accepted.

You Complete: COP Application Form 

The application asks for student leadership experience, academic information and a short answer to:

In what way(s) do you see yourself contributing to UConn@COP’s efforts to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion in the program and more generally addressing Environmental Justice. (250 words or less)

You’ll also attach:

1. A one-page PDF of your current resume
2. A photocopy of your passport (or copy of your passport application confirmation receipt)
3. One approximately 700-word essay responding to the following prompts:

• • Describe what relevant academic, leadership, and personal experiences make you an ideal candidate for the UConn@COP30 Fellowship Program.
  • If selected, how will you share your experiences from UConn@COP30 with the UConn community? (your plans for outreach should be both aspirational and achievable)
  • How will the components of the conference and Fellowship program overall benefit your future career?

Your References Complete: In order to be considered for the UConn@COP program, you need two references (one must be from a UConn Faculty Member) to fill out the recommendation form linked below. Please share this link with your references and have them complete it by the application deadline, Wednesday April 23 at 11:59 PM. UConn@COP Reference Form

Selected Fellows are notified by August 1st.

If you have an interest in climate action, apply! Details on the program and application information can be found HERE.