The Global Climate Policy Project (GCPP) unites Harvard and MIT, and partners around the world, to drive innovation in global climate policy. By fostering academic collaborations across climate science, economics, political science, law, and other areas, we generate ambitious new ideas and actionable policy proposals to address climate change.
The Global Climate Policy Project (GCPP) is a joint initiative between Harvard and MIT dedicated to identifying and advancing innovations in global climate policies and institutions. Existing frameworks, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement, have established an important foundation for climate action but are not sufficient to manage the risks of a changing climate. With financial support from the Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability, Weatherhead Research Cluster on Global Climate Policy, and MIT Climate Project, GCPP puts forward ideas and policy proposals that complement the UNFCCC and address critical gaps in trade, finance, security, and other areas.
By convening leading academics, policymakers, industry experts, and members of civil society, GCPP drives research-backed policy proposals that can shape the global dialogue and accelerate urgent climate action.
Innovations in policies and institutions will focus on:
We develop actionable, multi-disciplinary proposals that address gaps in global climate governance. Through academic collaborations across Harvard and MIT, GCPP explores how global policies on trade, finance, security, and other topics can help drive more ambitious climate action.
GCPP engages with government policymakers, officials from international institutions, industry leaders, and members of civil society to design policy proposals based on research and evidence.
Through multi-disciplinary coursework, student research fellowships, and alumni engagement, GCPP equips the next generation of climate leaders with the tools to shape global climate policy. We provide mentorship, internships, and other types of opportunities for students and professionals committed to climate action.
The Global Climate Policy Project (GCPP) unites Harvard and MIT, and partners around the world, to drive innovation in global climate policy. By fostering academic collaborations across climate science, economics, political science, law, and other areas, we generate ambitious new ideas and actionable policy proposals to address climate change.
The Global Climate Policy Scholars Program (GCPSP) is a year-long opportunity for undergraduates to explore climate change and public policymaking while gaining practical research and communication skills. Freshmen and sophomores from all curricular backgrounds and interests are encouraged to apply. Whether your focus is science, technology, social sciences, humanities, or the arts, GCPSP recognizes the need for diverse perspectives in shaping bold climate solutions.
The Global Climate Policy Scholars Program offers a rare chance to combine academic study with real-world policy engagement, while working alongside world-class faculty, staff, and peers from diverse disciplines who care deeply about solving the climate crisis.
Through the program, students will develop climate policy research skills while working to effect real-world change through the completion of a policy challenge (described below). Selected students will receive stipends for independent research, attend monthly seminars and workshops, and engage with the wider Harvard and MIT climate community.
In addition, GCPSP will provide students with opportunities to:
The program will run during the Spring 2026 and Fall 2026 terms. Selected applicants will be expected to commit 6-8 hours per week to the program, including research activities, workshop and seminar participation, and check-ins with program mentors.
Applications for the 2026 GCPSP cohort will open on September 17, 2025; the application deadline for Harvard students is October 31, 2025. The application form is available here: https://harvard.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4ZTkiUHgjzHxSDQ
Selected scholars will be informed of their acceptance in early December; the program will begin in February 2026. Harvard students can contact Rachel Mural (rmural@hks.harvard.edu) with any questions about the process
Applications for the 2026 GCPSP cohort open on September 23, 2025. MIT students will complete the Global Climate Policy Scholars application form to gain admittance into the program. The deadline for MIT students to complete the application is October 31, 2025. The application form is available here: https://harvard.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4ZTkiUHgjzHxSDQ
MIT students pre-selected for the program will be notified in early December. Pre-selected students may then need to submit the statement of work they outlined in the Global Climate Policy Scholars application to the MIT UROP office for funding ahead of the Spring term deadline (February 3, 2026). Applicants who have secured a placement in the program and funding from MIT will begin the program in early February. MIT students can contact Aisling O’Grady (aogrady@mit.edu) or Rachel Mural (rmural@hks.harvard.edu) with any questions about the process.
The Global Climate Policy Scholars Program is supported in part by the Betty Wold Johnson Foundation Undergraduate Fund for Climate and Environment at Harvard College.
With the Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability, Harvard University is mobilizing to meet the global climate challenge.
