Climate Action Research Fellowship

The Climate Research Fellowship Track of the Baguio City Climate Action Labs is an interdisciplinary program designed for Master’s and PhD students across diverse fields, including law, psychology, business administration (MBA), public administration (MPA), computer science, data science, finance, engineering, architecture, indigenous studies, nursing, medicine, economics, forestry, and agriculture.

This semester-long fellowship integrates Harvard’s Problem-Driven Iterative Adaptation (PDIA) and Design Thinking methodologies, empowering graduate students to collaborate with Sangguniang Kabataan (SK), barangay officials, and academic institutions. Participants will transform school campuses and barangays into Living Labs, where they can co-create, test, and refine climate solutions with a direct community impact.

Fellows can continue their research and projects over multiple semesters, advancing them from coursework to theses, capstones, or even scalable startup initiatives. Exceptional projects may also qualify for co-listing across cities or countries through the Jambatan Transnational Project Co-Listing Program, fostering global collaboration and knowledge exchange.

What is a Living Lab?

A Living Lab is a real-world testing environment where participants co-develop and implement innovative solutions. Through this program, graduate students will use their campuses and barangays as collaborative platforms to address climate challenges, ensuring practical, community-driven outcomes.

Program Methodologies

Problem-Driven Iterative Adaptation (PDIA)

PDIA enables fellows to deconstruct complex climate challenges, identify actionable entry points, and iteratively adapt solutions based on feedback and real-world learning.

Design Thinking

Design Thinking fosters a human-centered approach, equipping fellows with tools to empathize with community needs, ideate creative solutions, and prototype impactful interventions.

Program Milestones

Weeks 1-3: Problem Framing and Research Immersion

• Fellows will conduct in-depth analyses of local climate challenges through interviews, field visits, and data collection in collaboration with SK leaders and barangay officials.

• Workshops will help fellows frame their research problems using PDIA and Design Thinking principles.

Weeks 4-6: Interdisciplinary Solution Design

• Fellows will work in interdisciplinary teams to co-create prototype solutions in their chosen Living Labs.

• Preliminary solutions will be tested and refined based on initial feedback from stakeholders.

Weeks 7-9: Implementation and Iterative Refinement

• Prototypes will be implemented in barangays or campuses, with ongoing evaluation to adapt and enhance the solutions.

• Fellows will document their findings and refine their strategies to ensure sustainability and scalability.

Weeks 10-12: Scaling and Policy Recommendations

• Teams will explore scaling opportunities for their solutions at barangay, city, or institutional levels.

• Policy briefs or practical recommendations will be drafted for local and regional stakeholders.

Weeks 13-15: Presentation and Recognition

• Fellows will present their research findings and solutions at a public symposium.

• Top projects will be recognized, and fellows will receive certifications of completion.

Pathways to Continued Impact

Graduate fellows are encouraged to extend their research over multiple semesters, allowing them to transition their projects into advanced studies, capstone initiatives, or community-driven startups.

Students pursuing extended work can apply for the Jambatan Transnational Project Co-Listing Program, enabling their projects to be co-listed with international institutions, cities, and organizations. This offers a platform for global collaboration and scaling of climate solutions.

Why Join the Climate Research Fellowship Track?

• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Work alongside peers from diverse fields and local stakeholders.

• Real-World Impact: Tackle pressing climate issues with actionable solutions.

• Professional Growth: Gain advanced skills in PDIA, Design Thinking, and collaborative leadership.

• Global Opportunities: Expand your project’s reach through the Jambatan Program.

• Sustained Engagement: Evolve your work into a thesis, capstone, or entrepreneurial venture.

Join us in this transformative journey to address climate challenges and create lasting impact in Baguio City and beyond!

Sample Projects