Join a growing community of net zero practitioners! We award up to $60,000 grants to one or two fellows annually to support research that advances net-zero design and technologies, addresses potential barriers or helps grow community involvement.
Since 2017, Energy Trust has invited building industry professionals or companies to submit research proposals that advance net-zero commercial buildings. Individuals or firms in the fields of community development, urban planning, architecture, engineering, construction, facility management, public policy, or academia are encouraged to apply.
Research must be relevant to Oregon and/or Washington; however, the fellow is not required to be a resident. One to two fellows are selected annually and awarded up to $60,000 to conduct research over approximately a 12-month period. Selected fellow(s) work closely with members of Energy Trust and its Net Zero Advisory Panel and share research results publicly with the region’s growing community of net-zero practitioners.
Net Zero Fellowship Application Updates:
The 2025 Net Zero Fellowship application is closed. Award notifications will be made in July/August and all applicants will be contacted regardless of application status.
Missed the 2025 application window? The 2026 application will open in February 2026. Sign up for our email list to be notified about updates regarding current research and next year’s application details.
Advisory Panel
To assist in selecting and advising the fellow(s), Energy Trust convenes a Net Zero Advisory Panel of leaders from a variety of commercial new construction industry sectors:
- Rihana Mungin, NSBE Pro PDX
- Andrea Caudill, Port of Portland
- Erica Dunn, Opsis Architects
- Ihab Elzeyadi, University of Oregon
- Joel Good, RWDI
- Jeni Hall, Energy Trust
- Mark Perepelitza, BRIC Architecture
- Michelle Montiel, Green Hammer
- Lindsey Naganuma, SERA Architects
- Sam Rosenberg, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
- Shelly Carlton, Energy Trust
