Climate & Energy Fellow, Climate and Energy Program (2026-2027)
Third Way is a national think tank and advocacy organization that champions moderate policy and political ideas. Since our founding in 2005, we have served as a critical bulwark against political extremism by advancing values-driven, reform-oriented solutions on the defining issues of our time. Our work is grounded in the mainstream American values of opportunity, freedom, security, and democratic capitalism, and we advocate for the vital center across seven major areas: climate and energy, economy, education, health care, national security, politics, and social policy.
Third Way’s Climate and Energy Program is seeking a fellow to join a dynamic team engaged in an ambitious, multi-year effort to enact policies to achieve clean, reliable, and affordable energy in the US, using an all-of-the-above approach that accelerates deployment of existing clean technologies while advancing innovation across the energy system.
This position will be filled by a hard-working and entrepreneurial individual who is interested in applying a technical background and deep understanding of US energy systems toward creating federal energy policy. We’ll bring the fellow up to speed on politics and the inner workings of Washington. The fellow will lead at least one discrete research project over the course of the fellowship and will also support the program’s work on the federal appropriations process during Q1 of each year. The fellow will have multiple opportunities to author or co-author policy products based on secondary research and current affairs developments. The majority of the fellow’s time will be spent working across CEP’s initiatives, supporting work that advances US energy security, economic competitiveness, and the deployment of clean energy technologies, with a primary focus on domestic policy and its global implications.
The fellow will report to the Senior Research Advisor, International.
Fellowship Information:
The Third Way Fellows Program is a full-time, 12-month program that comes with a $60,000 annual stipend, two weeks of paid vacation, comprehensive health care and benefits, and five paid Career Development Days dedicated to job searching, networking, and interviews.
The program also offers the opportunity to meet with top Washington policy leaders; co-author papers and collaborate with our policy teams to produce new ideas, research, and insights; and learn Third Way’s methodology.
Third Way places a strong emphasis on supporting fellows as they take the next step in their careers. Fellows gain access to a robust alumni network for mentorship and connections, along with regular check-ins and guidance from Learning & Organizational Development (LOD) staff. The program is designed to help fellows leverage Third Way’s wide-ranging D.C. network into meaningful future career opportunities.
As a CEP fellow, a typical day might include…
Competencies
Policy is all about solving problems, something that the ideal candidate enjoys and is good at. Creativity is a valuable skill at all stages of policy development, so the Climate and Energy Fellow must have the ability to identify and pursue opportunities that might not be visible to the average Joe. Finally, the fellow must have a deep commitment to fighting climate change, promoting clean energy, and furthering Third Way’s mission of representing Americans in the “vital center.”
This fellowship term will begin on Tuesday, August 25th, 2026, and end on Thursday, August 12th, 2027.
In addition to competitive salaries, your health and wellness is our priority. We offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance; Health Reimbursement Account (HRA); and Flexible Spending Account (FSA, DCA, Parking, and Transit); Life Insurance; Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance; Retirement plan; Accrued Paid Sick and Vacation leave; Long-term Disability, Employee Assistant Program (EAP).
Third Way offers a flexible, hybrid work environment to support our employees’ healthy work-life balance. This position is based in Washington, DC, and Third Way’s in-office days are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
Third Way is an equal-opportunity employer committed to non-discrimination. We will consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation or gender identity, or any other legally protected basis, in accordance with applicable laws.
Third Way’s Climate and Energy Program is seeking a fellow to join a dynamic team engaged in an ambitious, multi-year effort to enact policies to achieve clean, reliable, and affordable energy in the US, using an all-of-the-above approach that accelerates deployment of existing clean technologies while advancing innovation across the energy system.
This position will be filled by a hard-working and entrepreneurial individual who is interested in applying a technical background and deep understanding of US energy systems toward creating federal energy policy. We’ll bring the fellow up to speed on politics and the inner workings of Washington. The fellow will lead at least one discrete research project over the course of the fellowship and will also support the program’s work on the federal appropriations process during Q1 of each year. The fellow will have multiple opportunities to author or co-author policy products based on secondary research and current affairs developments. The majority of the fellow’s time will be spent working across CEP’s initiatives, supporting work that advances US energy security, economic competitiveness, and the deployment of clean energy technologies, with a primary focus on domestic policy and its global implications.
The fellow will report to the Senior Research Advisor, International.
Fellowship Information:
The Third Way Fellows Program is a full-time, 12-month program that comes with a $60,000 annual stipend, two weeks of paid vacation, comprehensive health care and benefits, and five paid Career Development Days dedicated to job searching, networking, and interviews.
The program also offers the opportunity to meet with top Washington policy leaders; co-author papers and collaborate with our policy teams to produce new ideas, research, and insights; and learn Third Way’s methodology.
Third Way places a strong emphasis on supporting fellows as they take the next step in their careers. Fellows gain access to a robust alumni network for mentorship and connections, along with regular check-ins and guidance from Learning & Organizational Development (LOD) staff. The program is designed to help fellows leverage Third Way’s wide-ranging D.C. network into meaningful future career opportunities.
As a CEP fellow, a typical day might include…
- Conducting in-depth research and qualitative and quantitative analysis of a variety of sources, including online databases, media, and reports from the government, NGOs, and academia;
- Organizing and leading projects related to research activities and federal funding/appropriations;
- Developing original legislative proposals and producing high-impact written products by distilling complex issues, often under tight deadlines, into succinct and accessible formats, including policy briefings, memos, and presentations;
- Organizing and participating in high-level external meetings, briefings on Capitol Hill, professional networking events, and other activities to promote Third Way policy priorities;
- Presenting our research and policy ideas to Hill staff, advocates, think tanks, and academics both through individual and coalition meetings and in other events around D.C.;
- Supporting other members of the team with research and minor administrative tasks as needed.
Competencies
- Advanced degree in a related field;
- Strong research and writing skills;
- Interest in U.S. politics and the political process.
- A graduate degree with a quantitative focus, preferably in a field of engineering, the hard sciences, climate policy, energy systems, public policy, or a related field;
- An interest in moderate politics and commitment to Third Way’s mission of advancing pragmatic, solution-oriented policy;
- The ability to take initiative on individual projects, but willingness to work collaboratively on a team, including the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality work on tight timelines;
- Strong research and technical skills, with a talent for knowing and telling the story a dataset demands;
- The ability to explain complicated concepts in a way that makes sense to policymakers;
- Diplomacy and discretion when dealing with external groups;
- The ability to convey personality in their written and verbal communication – even when dealing with dense, data-heavy topics
Policy is all about solving problems, something that the ideal candidate enjoys and is good at. Creativity is a valuable skill at all stages of policy development, so the Climate and Energy Fellow must have the ability to identify and pursue opportunities that might not be visible to the average Joe. Finally, the fellow must have a deep commitment to fighting climate change, promoting clean energy, and furthering Third Way’s mission of representing Americans in the “vital center.”
This fellowship term will begin on Tuesday, August 25th, 2026, and end on Thursday, August 12th, 2027.
In addition to competitive salaries, your health and wellness is our priority. We offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance; Health Reimbursement Account (HRA); and Flexible Spending Account (FSA, DCA, Parking, and Transit); Life Insurance; Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance; Retirement plan; Accrued Paid Sick and Vacation leave; Long-term Disability, Employee Assistant Program (EAP).
Third Way offers a flexible, hybrid work environment to support our employees’ healthy work-life balance. This position is based in Washington, DC, and Third Way’s in-office days are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
Third Way is an equal-opportunity employer committed to non-discrimination. We will consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation or gender identity, or any other legally protected basis, in accordance with applicable laws.