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 purpose of the Salata Student Ambassador Program is to build a vibrant, student-led, interdisciplinary climate community across Harvard’s many schools. Ambassadors serve as connectors—engaging in peer-to-peer outreach, engaging with students, faculty, and staff involved in climate and sustainability work on campus, and contributing to the advancement of the Salata Institute’s mission. Students who participate in the program will help to strengthen networks among students passionate about climate and sustainability while gaining leadership and communication skills essential for future climate leaders.

Details: 

Appointment term: 1 academic year (2025 – 2026)

Time commitment: estimated 15 hours (minimum) per semester 

Applications Open: September 2, 2025

Applications Close: Thursday, September 18, 2025, at 11:59 PM

Ambassador Activities: 

1. Learn about the Salata Institute’s student programs, institutional goals, and strategies. 

2. Disseminate information about the Salata Institute and university-wide climate resources through peer-to-peer conversations, tabling events, meetings, and other avenues. 

3. Gather information from the student body about gaps in student programming and develop solutions. 

4. Cultivate relationships with key climate and sustainability contacts. 

5. Provide feedback to the Salata Institute on new programs, digital tools, student resources, etc.

Program Features:

• Student Ambassadors receive a $400 stipend, provided they meet the program expectations. (The stipend will be dispersed in two equal installments of $200/semester). 
  • Subcommittee Co-chairs receive a $700 stipend, provided they meet expectations. (The stipend will be dispersed in two equal installments of $350/semester).

• Student Ambassadors are featured on the Salata Institute’s website. 

• Student Ambassadors will have the opportunity to meet and engage with Salata Institute Staff and Leadership.

• Ambassadors are invited to attend or volunteer at all the Salata Institute’s events.  

Applicant Qualifications: 

• Applicants must be registered Harvard University students in good academic standing. The program is open to both graduate and undergraduate students. 

• Applicants must read and agree to the Program Expectations and Time Commitment outlined below. 

• Successful applicants demonstrate enthusiasm for and competency in peer-to-peer outreach, education, and engagement activities.

• Ambassadors have strong academic, extracurricular, or personal interests in topics related to climate, sustainability, and the environment. 

• Applicants must attend the Student Ambassador Program Information Session on Friday, September 5th, 2025 or watch the recording.  

Program Expectations: 

Students accepted to the Ambassador’s Program will meet the following expectations:  

• Ambassadors commit to participating in the program for one full academic year. 

• Students must be present on campus during their participation in the program (with the exception of Harvard Extension School Students).

• Ambassadors must attend two one-hour, in-person meetings each semester (Kick-off and close-out).

• They attend subcommittee meetings as scheduled and contribute to subcommittee activities and deliverables.

• They remain engaged in the program and help to advance the core purpose and mission of the Student Ambassador Program

Council Structure:

The Student Ambassador Program will be made up of a maximum of 33 individual members. The Salata Institute will accept up to three students from each of Harvard University’s 11 degree-granting schools into the program.

Ambassadors will be organized into one of three subcommittee groups. The Salata Institute will select two Ambassadors to co-chair each subcommittee. The subcommittees for the 2025-2026 academic year will be:

• Community Building: Organize recurring events to showcase student climate work, spark cross-disciplinary dialogue, and build a climate-focused campus community.
• Campus Outreach: Promote climate opportunities from the Salata Institute and Harvard at large, engaging students across the university.
• Resource Development: Identify student needs and create tools or databases to support academic, professional, and extracurricular exploration of climate and sustainability.

Students will serve as ambassadors for at least one academic year and may be invited to serve for a second year. Student Ambassadors are limited to serving two terms.

Program Timeline: 

Interested students should review the program timeline outlined below. The deadline to apply is 11:59 PM on Thursday, September 18, 2025. To qualify, students must also attend the Information Session being held on Friday, September 5, 2025, or watch the recording. 

Application Requirements: 

The deadline to apply is 11:59 PM on Thursday, September 18, 2025. The application for the Salata Institute Student Ambassadors Program includes the following sections: 

• Personal Information: Identifying details about the applicant, like name and email.

• Subcommittee Preferences: Indicate your interest in co-chair positions and sub-committees.

• Application Documents (PDF Uploads): 
  • Resume/CV: 1 page maximum 
  • Application Letter (See Details): 1 page maximum 
  • [Conditional] Cochair Interest Statement (See Details):200-300 words

• Reference Information: Contact information for one reference.
• Program Agreements: Acknowledgment of the program expectations and requirements 

Applications will open on Tuesday, September 2nd 2025 

Application Letter Details:  

• Content: The application letter should clearly state your motivations for applying to the Salata Institute’s Student Ambassadors Program. Please explain why you think you would be a good fit for the Ambassador’s program highlighting your unique qualities that make you well suited for the role. Please also describe your interests in climate, sustainability, and the environment and what excites you most about the opportunity to participate in the program. 
    

• Formatting: 
  • 1 page maximum 
  • 1.5 Spacing
  • 12-point font 
  • Please include a header (First name, last name, email, and school/college) 
  • Please submit as a PDF document
  • File Name: First_Last_Application_Letter

Co-chair Interest Statement Details:  

• Content: The Co-chair Interest Statement should clearly state why you are interested in a co-chair position, and elaborate on which subcommittee you are most interested in. Describe a time you led a team through a challenging situation. What strategies did you use, what did you learn, and what was the outcome?

• Formatting: 
  • 200-300 words
  • 1.5 Spacing
  • 12-point font 
  • Please include a header (First name, last name, email, and school/college) 
  • Please submit as a PDF document 
  • File Name: First_Last_Cochair_Interest_Statement

Questions? Contact oona_gaffney@harvard.edu