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Salata Institute Liaisons

The Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability is dedicated to developing and promoting effective, equitable solutions to the pressing challenges of climate change. The Institute achieves its mission by fostering collaboration across Harvard’s diverse areas of expertise and by connecting practitioners working in government, business, and civil society with Harvard’s climate expertise.

The Salata Institute Liaisons are a small group of students, drawn from across Harvard’s schools, who help keep the Institute connected to what’s actually happening in student climate life on campus. Climate engagement at Harvard is spread across dozens of school-specific organizations, and the Liaisons exist to bridge that gap: staying active in the campus climate community, surfacing what students need, and helping spread the word about Institute programs and opportunities.

Please note: The previous Student Ambassador Program has been sunset effective Fall 2026.

Summary

The Salata Institute Liaisons are a small student group that helps connect the Institute with climate-related student activity across Harvard’s schools. Climate engagement at Harvard is distributed across numerous school-specific organizations, without a single coordinating body to unite them. The Liaisons program was created to address this gap by maintaining an informed, ongoing connection between the Institute and the student community it serves.

Liaisons meet with Institute staff on a monthly basis and communicate throughout the semester as relevant developments arise. The role is intentionally limited in scope: Liaisons are not expected to organize programming themselves, but rather to help the Institute understand student needs and interests, and to help ensure that Institute programs, deadlines, and opportunities reach students effectively.

Interested in applying? The Salata Institute Liaisons program welcomes applications from undergraduate and graduate students across the University.

Requirements:

  • A letter of support from a student climate organization, faculty advisor, or past Institute grant recipient.
  • At least one full year at Harvard University completed prior to applying (students in their first year, regardless of degree program, are not eligible).
  • Connection to at least one Climate/Sustainability group on campus, preference will be given to those with connections to multiple.

Who We’re Looking For

Beyond the formal application requirements, the Institute is looking for students who demonstrate genuine, sustained engagement with Harvard’s climate community. Strong candidates typically share the following qualities:

  • Active engagement: Candidates should already be involved in climate-related activity on campus, whether through a student organization, coursework, research, or informal participation in the broader community.
  • Cross-community awareness: Because the role depends on visibility into student sentiment and activity, candidates who maintain connections across multiple groups or programs, rather than a single organization, are especially well suited to the role.
  • Candor: The Institute values Liaisons who will communicate honestly about what is and is not working for students, including feedback that may be difficult to hear.
  • Independence and reliability: The role requires minimal oversight and depends on Liaisons who are self-directed in staying informed and following through on communication with the Institute.
  • A genuine interest in advisory work: This is a role centered on providing input and perspective, rather than public recognition or formal authority. Candidates should be motivated primarily by a desire to help shape the Institute’s work.

The Liaisons are intentionally kept small and closely connected. Members meet with Institute staff monthly and are expected to attend each of these meetings consistently, as the group’s effectiveness depends on a stable, engaged core rather than rotating participation. The Institute also hopes to see Liaisons continue in the role across multiple years where possible, building the kind of continuity and institutional familiarity that a single-year commitment cannot provide.

Timeline to Apply

Applications for the Salata Institute Liaisons open on September 2, 2026 and close on September 30, 2026 at 11:59 PM. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered.

Selected Liaisons will be notified by October 15, 2026, with the program beginning shortly thereafter.