In May of 2008, the Siebel Energy Challenge initiated the Princeton Energy and Climate Scholars (PECS) group. PECS brings together a select group of highly talented and engaged Princeton Ph.D. students with research expertise ranging from energy security and technology to climate science and policy.

PECS aims to enhance the research experience of Princeton’s graduate students by encouraging them to transcend the boundaries of their fields and by fostering a sense of common intellectual adventure. Drawing from a broad range of disciplines, PECS students and members of the Faculty Board have a unique opportunity to thoughtfully approach the multifaceted energy challenges of the 21st century. more >>

Students meet once a month, over lunch or dinner, to share research results and to introduce their work to each other. In these informal discussions, students often find themselves probing topics that are remote from their own research. They also meet a second time each month at a dinner with the PECS Faculty Board. These dinners either highlight the research of a Faculty Board member or are integrated into the hosting of an outside speaker visiting the campus.

The PECS fellows created a temporary blog in 2009-2010 to foster discussion around a few key events occurring during that time such as the Princeton-China Energy Forum on Energy, Environment, and Economic Policy in Shangai, the climate negotiations in Copenhagen, and the ARPA-E Energy Innovation Summit in Washington, D.C. more>>

Twice a year, the Faculty Board of PECS seeks applications from highly motivated graduate students who are conducting research within the broad areas of climate change and energy. The current PECS student members, in aggregate, span many disciplines within science, engineering, policy, and economics, and even greater breadth from new applicants would be welcome.

Because PECS is largely governed by its student members, the selection process gives considerable weight to indications that a student likes to volunteer and take initiative. In their self-nominations, in at most 500 words, applicants are asked to summarize their research topic and its intersections with energy and climate, and explain how they would contribute to the PECS community. They must also provide a letter of recommendation from their primary advisor highlighting their qualifications and motivations for joining the group.

The selection process is undertaken jointly by the Faculty Board and members of the student committee. The selection criteria are threefold:

• Research quality
• Level of engagement and interest in broader aspects of the climate and energy problem
• Diversity of students in the group

PECS membership lasts for two years. Typically, only post-generals Ph.D. students are eligible for participation, but special cases will be considered.

• PECS Advances Exchanges on Energy and Climate (PDF)