Applications are now open for the Indigenous Climate Knowledge Fellowship 2026, a unique three-month programme designed to support Indigenous storytellers from the Himalayan region in documenting climate knowledge rooted in lived experience and tradition.

This initiative is led by the Himalayan Climate Watch Network, with support from the Mudland Climate Lab, and aims to amplify community-based knowledge systems often overlooked in mainstream climate narratives.

About the Fellowship

The Indigenous Climate Knowledge Fellowship supports a small, carefully selected cohort of three fellows who will explore and document Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) as it relates to climate resilience and environmental change.

Through mentorship and structured guidance, fellows will transform their field experiences into high-quality, publication-ready climate stories.

Programme Timeline

• Duration: 3 months

• Start Date: Expected April 2026

• Application Deadline: 28 March 2026

Fellowship Structure

The programme is divided into three phases:

Month 1: Training & Story Development

Participants engage in guided sessions covering:

• Climate justice in the Himalayan context

• Ethical and responsible storytelling

• Research, interviewing, and narrative-building techniques

• Foundations of Traditional Ecological Knowledge

Month 2: Fieldwork & Documentation

Fellows return to their communities to:

• Document local climate practices and knowledge

• Interview elders, youth, and knowledge holders

• Collect written, visual, or audio materials

• Capture community-based climate observations

Month 3: Writing & Production

With editorial support, fellows will:

• Develop a polished, publishable story

• Ensure accuracy, consent, and cultural sensitivity

• Produce a short insight brief summarizing key findings

Expected Outputs

Each fellow will complete:

• One final climate story (written, audio, visual, or multimedia)

• One insight note on Traditional Ecological Knowledge and climate observations

• One reflection piece on storytelling ethics and process

Ethical Approach

The fellowship emphasizes:

• Respect for community knowledge and consent

• Protection of sensitive information

• Collaborative storytelling practices

• Safety in politically or socially complex contexts

Stories are developed with care, ensuring communities remain at the center of how their narratives are shared.