Abrams Academy Corporate Partners

• Corporate or public sector partners submit a proposal outlining a specific implementation-ready, high-impact climate project by the spring deadline.
• Partners are selected for consideration by May.
• Fellows are selected and interdisciplinary teams are formed by Northwestern University over the summer. 
• Projects are confirmed and matched with a team by August.
• Student teams work with corporate partners on climate action projects from September to June.  
• Fellows present the results of their year-long projects to corporate partners at the annual Climate Action Summit in the spring. 

The program is designed to create mutual benefit between the corporate partners and the Abrams Climate Fellows. Corporate partners support the learning of the Fellows in the following ways:

• Committing to implement a high-impact climate blueprint or solution for their company or organization
• Collaborating with the faculty director, the advisory committee and the fellows to scope the project
• Assigning a project lead/client manager who will provide mentorship, oversight of the project work, and regular engagement with the team and academy administration, including attending a weekly video meeting with the faculty director and project team
• Making information and resources available as needed (all Fellows will sign an NDA)
• Covering any pre-approved, project related expenses for students
• Completing a quarterly assessment of the project work that will determine a Fellow’s grade
• Attending the annual Climate Action Summit in the spring

• Projects can vary across sectors, such as energy, food and agriculture, built environment, real estate, financial services or transportation and mobility. 
• Successful projects will be strategic, high impact and have a high level of sponsorship.
• Projects will have a clear scope, deliverables that correspond with the fellowship timeframe and can be accomplished by a student team over the course of a year.
• Projects will be outlined in the initial proposal and scoped in partnership with the program administration.

• Interdisciplinary teams of select Northwestern University graduate students are formed based on the skills and expertise needed for each distinct project. 
• Fellows leverage their expertise in business, engineering, law, technology, product design and communication to address complex challenges to the climate crisis.
• Fellows participate in the Abrams Climate Academy experiential learning course and are also enrolled in other climate, energy, and sustainability coursework at Northwestern University.  

• Email the Abrams Climate Academy to discuss your project ideas and learn more about the program.
• Project proposals are due by the spring deadline.