Energy & Environmental Economics Mentoring Program: Undergraduate Application
The undergraduate application for 2024-2025 has closed. Thank you for your interest!
The Opportunity Lab (O-Lab) and the Energy Institute at Haas (EI) are excited to invite interested undergraduates to apply to participate in a full-year program of research training and mentoring on topics related to energy and environmental economics. This program represents a tremendous opportunity to work closely with top-tier PhD students and world-renowned faculty and to be part of a new community as you explore critical and timely research and policy questions confronting the US and the world. No prior research experience is required. Topics we will focus on include the economics of climate change, clean energy markets, and core topics in environmental justice, to name just a few.
Please see below for more detail on the program and the application process. We expect to enroll 18 undergraduates per academic year. Each undergraduate will work closely with a graduate student mentor on research focused on the social and economic implications of climate change, policies related to transitioning to clean energy systems, air and water pollution, and other topics impacting the environment and society.
What the program involves:
Direct, hands-on research training in partnership with a PhD student
Participation in regular workshops to share updates on research projects, discuss topics in environmental policy and economics, and receive guidance on education and employment goals. Workshops will be held every Wednesday through the fall semester; applicants must be available during this time slot to be considered for the program.
Training in data analysis and/or programming tools (examples include R, Stata, and/or other statistical packages). No prior research or statistical training is required.
Course credit (2-3 credits/semester)
Cash stipend
Access to leading faculty, graduate students, and resources in environmental policy and economics
A new community to help think through career goals, help with letters of recommendation, assist with navigating post-college plans, and support you in building your research experience
Academic advising on career paths in energy and environmental policy and economics
Who is eligible?
We are seeking 2nd through 4th year UC Berkeley undergraduates. We strongly encourage first-generation students, transfer students, and students historically underrepresented in economics to apply.
Please note that applicants must be available to attend biweekly research workshops, held on Wednesdays.
What does the application entail?
Applicants will be asked to submit the following as part of a short application form:
Submit a personal statement describing your interest in energy and environmental economics and what is motivating you to apply
Submit a 250 word statement describing your academic goals with this program
What is the timeline?
***Some dates and times listed below are subject to change. We expect all students who are accepted to be available for weekly workshops, office hours, and data training sessions***
Applications for the 2024 - 2025 academic year will be due August 26th at 12:00PM PST.
Applicants will be notified if they have been accepted in early September
Kickoff event in early September
Research workshops held every Wednesday from 10:30AM to 12:00PM throughout the fall; spring semester timing to be determined.
Ongoing research meetings with project leaders throughout the term
2024 - 2025 Research Projects
In September, students who have been accepted to the program will be paired with a participating graduate student research mentor. Below, we list the projects that students will be working on through 2024 - 2025. (Additional detail will be added to this page as it becomes available.)