TERC, in partnership with the MacArthur Foundation, will welcome 18 Climate and Equity Fellows—high school educators addressing issues of climate and equity in their classrooms—to participate in the 2026 Climate and Equity Institute. 

The Institute will take place Sunday, July 26 – Saturday, August 1, 2026, at the Schoodic Institute campus in Maine. This is an all-expenses-paid program, including travel, and each Fellow will receive a $1,000 stipend. 

Note: Accepted Fellows are also expected to attend 3, hour-long virtual meetings between March and June 2026 in preparation for the Institute. These meetings will be held via Zoom, with dates determined based on participant availability. 

We are currently accepting applications for the Summer 2026 Climate and Equity Institute Fellowship through March 16, 2026.

Apply Here

Fellows will share, discuss, and reflect on how best to engage students in learning about climate change and related issues of inequity on an intersectional basis. Guest speakers will give short introductions to anchor exploration and discussion of topics, including:

  • Teaching in urban, suburban, and rural communities (how urban, suburban, and rural communities are connected socially and ecologically).
  • The “biocomplexity” view that all humans are factors in ecological and social systems.
  • Dealing with emotion related to teaching and learning about climate change and equity.
  • Indigenous ways of knowing.
  • Youth voice and action as an antidote to dealing with climate anxiety.

Each day, Fellows will also work in small groups to explore a problem of practice of their choice, including:

  • Using school grounds productively.
  • Student networking across schools.
  • Designing a student action project.
  • Implementing more equity-focused instruction related to climate change.

Application Deadline: March 16th, 2026
Notification of Decisions: March 27th, 2026

Selection Criteria

We invite applications from high school teachers across urban, suburban, and rural communities who:

  • Have a passion for and some experience in engaging high school students in learning about climate change and its inequitable impacts.
  • Teach in a range of school settings (public, private, charter, etc.) in rural, urban, or suburban locations.
  • Demonstrate a commitment to teaching, professional reflection, and growth within a collaborative learning community.
  • Value diverse perspectives, contribute to a shared sense of community, and are interested in initiating change beyond their classrooms.

After the Institute, 2026 Fellows will join educators from the 2022–2025 cohorts for ongoing virtual gatherings held approximately every 6–8 weeks. These meetings allow Fellows to continue discussing climate and equity in the classroom, share emerging work, build community, and occasionally hear from invited speakers.

The Institute is held at Schoodic Institute, located in a stunning and remote section of Acadia National Park. Because access to amenities is limited, Fellows should plan to remain on campus for most of the week. There will be a scheduled trip to Bar Harbor mid-week.

Participants will have opportunities each day to enjoy the natural surroundings, and at least one session will take place outdoors daily.

Housing includes a private bedroom with shared bathroom and kitchen facilities. All meals are provided in the Schoodic Institute dining commons.

For more information, email us at climateandequity@terc.edu  and we will be in touch.