Lead the Energy Transition Locally
Start a Student Energy Chapter and bring the global energy movement to your campus.
What is Student Energy Chapter?
Chapters are post-secondary clubs run by students that leverage Student Energy’s organizational knowledge and brand to take action on energy in their local community.
We empower students to become energy leaders by strengthening their leadership, project management, and community building skills through personalized coaching, access to resources, and experiential learning opportunities.
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Why start a chapter?
Establishing a Student Energy Chapter gives you the tools, credibility, and connections to make a real-world impact. Our program benefits include:
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Gain hands-on experience developing and practicing leadership, project management, problem-solving, teamwork, and community building skills, among other soft skills. |
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Develop your own portfolio of real-world grassroots projects, supported by the credibility of the Student Energy brand. |
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Access to learning modules covering Energy Systems 101, and a primer on effectively establishing and leading a community. |
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Invites to exclusive Student Energy Global Webinars, featuring topics such as Strategic Planning, Fundraising & Sponsorship, and more. |
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Personalized coaching, direct support and comprehensive resources from the Student Energy team. |
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Exclusive mentorship with our global network of energy experts. |
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The opportunity to connect with Student Energy’s global network of youth. |
What do chapters do on campus?
In 2025 alone, the chapters network engaged more than 35,000 people with events that are categorized into the following categories:
Eligibility
Application to the Chapters Program is open to post-secondary students aged 18-30 years old who are interested in leading sustainable energy initiatives within their local community. The program’s contents and resources are delivered in English, but local activities can be executed using preferred languages.
Applicants should meet the following requirements:
English Language Fluency:
Are you fluent in English, and comfortable communicating with global peers, SE Chapters coaches, and industry partners in English?
Education:
Are you currently enrolled in a post-secondary certificate, diploma or degree program of any discipline?
Reliable Internet Access:
Do you have reliable internet access to participate in virtual sessions and collaborate with peers (estimated 2 hours monthly)?
If your answer is YES to all the questions above, we invite you to apply!
SE Chapters aims to actively remove barriers to participation for young people from ODA-recipient countries, and youth who identify as women, LGBT2+, and Indigenous. As an interdisciplinary program, we welcome applicants from all educational disciplines and backgrounds.
Application Process and Requirements
The Chapters Program application is broken into three key stages. Below is an overview of the entire application process.
Before Submitting the Application Form
We kindly ask that you fulfil these three key steps before submitting your application.
Form Your Founding Team:Student Energy Chapters are grassroots communities, and require a committed team for its success. We recommend forming a team of 3 to 5 members from your university (aged 18-30) who can commit to establishing and maintaining the chapter during their tenure as the leadership team. If you have not formed your team yet, we suggest waiting to apply. A good starting point is to recruit from your existing network – friends, colleagues, and other sustainability-focused clubs on campus*. |
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Identify a Faculty Advisor:All chapters need a Faculty Advisor to provide support and guidance locally. Please identify a potential faculty advisor at your university who is willing to support your team. The role of the Faculty Advisor is to be a liaison between the Student Energy Chapter and the post-secondary institution, as well as provide casual mentorship and support to the chapter. |
Understand Your University’s Process For Ratifying a Club:Student Energy Chapters are hosted at post secondary institutions, so you must understand the local process for starting a new club on campus. We recommend speaking with your university’s administration or student union before you apply to confirm you will be able to officially register your chapter. |
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Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, so there is no urgency.
Take the time needed to build this strong foundation before working on your application.
Steps to Apply!
Already have an Energy Club?
Join as a Partner Club!
The Student Energy Chapters Program welcomes any existing energy-focused student club to submit an application. Partner Clubs can join the Network as a partner of Student Energy,
based on the shared objectives of promoting sustainability and enabling youth leadership. Partner Clubs can retain their name, brand, mission, objectives, and organizational structures, while benefiting from the Student Energy’s organizational knowledge, brand, and support.
Application Checklist
Please have the following items ready before you fill out the application form:
A 2-3 minute unlisted video*of yourself uploaded to YouTube answering the application questions:
Why is establishing a Student Energy Chapter specifically important to you? Please specify what unique value or contribution you believe establishing a chapter will bring to your campus. Be sure to include what YOU expect to gain from the program.
Who is your chapter’s primary target audience, and what specific benefits or value will this audience gain by getting involved with your chapter?
Please tell us the story behind your interest in energy. What personal experiences, observations, or learnings motivated you to take action in this space?
What does your ideal chapter look like? Describe the vision for your chapter community. How would it look and feel for a member to be a part of it?
A list of 3 to 5 eligible youth to form your founding team, and at least 1 interested potential faculty adviser to your local club.
*If for any reason you are not able to submit a video, you can still apply! The application form provides an opportunity to explain your situation and share relevant details about your background and goals.
*What is an “Unlisted YouTube video”? Unlisted means that only people who know the link to the video can view it; an unlisted video will not appear in any of YouTube’s public spaces.
Tips for a Successful Application
Highlight your lived experiences
Lived experience refers to the knowledge and understanding you gain from your own life journey and the situations you’ve personally encountered.
Write your own application
The application form is intended to get to know YOU and your unique motivations for applying. Avoid using AI-generated content; it can feel generic and will not capture your individuality.
Focus on your dedication to the program
Clearly articulate your enthusiasm for sustainable energy and your willingness to invest time and effort in the program. Kindly note that you do not need to be an energy expert, but we are looking for people with a passion for bringing people together under a shared vision.
Take your time
There’s no benefit to submitting your application early, as there is no deadline to apply for the Student Energy Chapters Program, which reviews applications on a rolling basis throughout the year. Focus on crafting a strong application that showcases your best self. Remember that you can only submit one application.
Ready to Lead the Energy Transition at Your University/College?
Join the movement. We can’t wait to see what you can accomplish with our support.
Still have questions? Contact our team at [email protected].
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