REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action to Establish a Silicon Valley Power Scholarship - Silicon Valley Power Sustainable Futures (SVPSF) Post-baccalaureate Fellowship and to Delegate Authority to the City Manager to Negotiate a Final Grant Agreement with Santa Clara University
Report
BACKGROUND
On June 7, 2022, the City of Santa Clara City Council unanimously approved the Silicon Valley Power Sustainable Futures Program (SVPSF Program) which will provide scholarships and fellowships to up to 35 leaders in sustainability, clean energy. and related fields over a 5 year period. Each year there are four scholarship recipients and three fellows. The goal of the program is to develop a pipeline of strong, diverse future leaders in sustainability and clean energy sectors.
The innovative, five-year program funds an annual grant of $75,000 per year for a total of $375,000 from Silicon Valley Power (SVP). Selected students will use the funds to attend and receive advanced opportunities at Santa Clara University and its award-winning environmental and sustainability curriculum.
The program is designed to improve students' skill sets to compete for emerging green jobs. The skill requirements are expanding rapidly, particularly in the Bay Area, where energy, sustainability and climate drivers are leading the way in accelerating this field.
DISCUSSION
Building off the success of the SVPSF Program, a SVPSF Post-baccalaureate Fellowship is proposed. Under the Program a recent college graduate from Santa Clara University, or another institution, with a two-year full-time paid position. The selected candidate may do any of the following (1) provide mentorship to SVPSF fellows and scholars; (2) perform project-based oversight; (3) serve a liaison role with Santa Clara University faculty, local community, and City departments; (4) identify future projects aligned with program objectives and the goals of the City of Santa Clara Climate Plan, (6) support the implementatio...
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