Intensive learning program for emerging professionals: Join the Climate Equity and ReSilience Institute at the University of Washington Climate Impacts Group in USA (scholarship stipends available)

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Closing Date: 14 August 2026

Intensive learning program for emerging professionals: Join the Climate Equity and ReSilience Institute at the University of Washington Climate Impacts Group in USA (scholarship stipends available)

Are you a grad student or early-career professional interested in understanding and integrating climate resilience into your work? The Climate Equity and ReSilience Institute (CERSI) is here for you!

From September 27-October 4, 2026, this week-long immersive program offers:
🌎 A deeper understanding of intersections of social and environmental issues at different scales
🛠️ Tools to navigate climate and environmental work with communities
🤝 A network of climate resilience-focused researchers and practitioners

CERSI combines field trips, workshops, and interdisciplinary discussions at Warm Beach Camp and Conference Center near Stanwood, WA. Scholarships, travel, and housing support are available!

About the Program

The Climate Equity and ReSilience Institute is an intensive learning program for emerging professionals (current late-stage graduate students, recent graduates, early-career professionals or alternate career flow professionals), working in any discipline who are interested in experiencing in-depth, place-based learning about multiple dimensions of climate and resilience and how climate and environmental work intersect with different cultures and societies. This program is hosted by the University of Washington Climate Impacts Group and Washington Sea Grant, and supported by EarthLab. Funding for CERSI comes from the NOAA Climate Resilience Regional Challenge program through the Washington Department of Ecology.

Program Goals

CERSI participants will come away with:

a better understanding of how climate and environmental resilience intersect with social systems at multiple scales and in various contexts;
knowledge of the theories, tools, and practices to mediate relationships between climate and environmental work and communities; and
a community and professional network of coastal & climate practitioners who are committed to community-based relationships within their research and other climate work.

Applications are now open for the 2026 CERSI Program!

Who is this program for?

CERSI is an intensive program designed for emerging professionals in any discipline with a demonstrated interest in climate change, climate resilience, and issues of how those topics intersect with cultures and societies. This year, the program will be open to late-stage graduate students, recent graduates, and early-career professionals working in climate resilience (including those who have shifted careers). CERSI encourage those in Washington who are interested in climate resilience work with communities to apply!

What will I learn?

The program focuses on different elements of climate resilience and social systems. Participants will develop a well-rounded understanding of climate resilience and how it intersects with cultures and societies in order to better understand how to integrate climate adaptation and resilience into their work, practice areas, research, or life. The program will host a variety of guest speakers from different professional, academic, and lived-experience backgrounds (some examples to show breadth below); in an intensive 8-day program with several speakers/activities per day and field trips/site visits throughout the week. The program mixes learning modalities that range from group discussions, activities, mixed media, panels, lectures, and field trips.

Topics may include: climate impacts, climate adaptation & resilience, Indigenous & environmental ethics, climate & health, economics and degrowth, policy & communication, knowledge systems, co-production of knowledge and more. Examples of past speakers include:

Dr. Heather Price – North Seattle Colleges; Climate Justice Across the Curriculum
Todd Mitchell – Environmental Director of the Swinomish Department of Environmental Protection with the Swinomish Tribal Community
Dr. Jan Newton – Co-director, Washington Ocean Acidification Center; Backyard Buoys
Black Star Farmers – Seattle local mutual aid group
Cyril Walrond – Northwest Community Bail Fund
Vanessa Castle – Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe & Panthera
Dr. Michelle Montgomery – University of Washington Tacoma Professor of Ethnic, Gender, and Labor Studies
Dr. Steve Fradkin – Olympic National Park Ecologist

Program timeline?

The program will be hosted September 27, 2026 through October 4, 2026 at Warm Beach Camp and Conference Center in Stanwood, Washington. Students must be available to attend all program dates, including a possible virtual program orientation in September.

Program timeline:

August 14	Application window closes at 5pm PT
By August 21	Applicants will be notified
By August 28	Attendees confirm participation
Mid-September	Program Orientation
September 27 – October 4	Program hosted at Warm Beach

What is the cost for participation?

For non-UW affiliated attendees (e.g., graduate students, Washington Sea Grant fellows, etc.), CERSI is charging $300 to help cover the costs of attendance, including transportation to the facility from Seattle and room and board.

CERSI intends on covering the majority of costs for up to 25 participants. A limited number of scholarship stipends will be available in addition to covering costs of the program for selected participants who have a demonstrated financial need. If you or your organization are unable to afford the registration fee, please let CERSI know in your application.

Are there scholarships available?

There are scholarships available for those who show demonstrated need and are unable to pay the registration fee. Please contact CERSI to determine eligibility. For those traveling from outside of Seattle, CERSI may also be able to provide a travel stipend for transportation to the program.

If you have additional questions, please contact the program team at [email protected]