Activate Fellowship

A two-year immersive fellowship program for early-stage science entrepreneurs offering funding, technical resources, mentorship, laboratory access, and community support.

Program Details

• Status: Active, accepting applications annually
• Geographic Scope: United States with communities in Berkeley, Boston, New York, Houston, and nationwide via Activate Anywhere; also Global Fellows program in Singapore
• Focus Areas:
  • Carbon dioxide removal
  • Advanced manufacturing and industrial decarbonization
  • Microelectronics
  • Clean energy and climate tech
  • Semiconductors
  • Energy
  • Chemicals
  • Ocean tech
  • Food production
  • Materials science
  • Hard-tech innovation across 26 U.S. states

Key Statistics

• Number of Fellows Supported Annually: ~50 fellows per year (aiming for 100 annually)
• Companies Founded: 147 companies
• Follow-on Funding Secured: $2.4B+ (38X leverage on fellowship spending)
• Jobs Created: 2,000+ U.S. jobs
• Company Survival Rate: 95% of Activate companies still active after a decade
• Cohort 2025: Expecting record applicants; 47 new fellows welcomed to Cohort 2025

Community Locations

• Activate Berkeley (California)
• Activate Boston (Massachusetts)
• Activate New York (New York)
• Activate Houston (Texas)
• Activate Anywhere (nationwide)
• Global Fellows - Singapore

Support Provided

• Funding: Pre-seed/early-stage investment
• Technical Resources: Access to qualified host laboratories and research facilities
• Mentorship: Network of industry leaders, investors, and philanthropists
• Education: Training in entrepreneurship, technology development, market analysis
• Community: National network of fellows and alumni
• Special Partnerships:
  • Stripe Carbon Removal Procurement: Up to $500,000 contracts for fellows meeting Carbon Dioxide Removal Imperative
  • DOE Advanced Manufacturing Office support
  • DARPA partnership for microelectronics work
  • State funding partnerships (California Energy Commission, Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, NYSERDA)

Eligibility

• Scientists and engineers at early stages of venture development
• Teams with demonstrated scientific breakthrough
• Access to research facilities and advisors
• Commitment to solving global challenges

Notable Recent Achievements (2024)

• Fellows received $380M in state and federal funding awards
• DOE awards: Brimstone Energy ($189M), Sublime Systems ($87M), Electrified Thermal Solutions ($37.5M)
• ARPA-E awards: AeroShield Materials ($14.5M), Antora Energy ($14.5M)

Partnership Funding Sources

• U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
• DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency)
• ARPA-E (Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy)
• California Energy Commission (CEC)
• Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC)
• New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)
• Private philanthropies and venture capital investors
• State governments

Contact/Apply

• Website: activate.org
• "Apply Now" portal available on website

How to Apply

1. Check Eligibility: Verify you meet basic requirements as a scientist or engineer developing early-stage deep-tech innovation
2. Submit Application: Complete online application through Activate's portal (activate.org)
   • Application deadline: October 23 (for current year cohorts)
   • Applications open in September annually
3. Nomination Process: Can be nominated by others through nomination form on website if preferred
4. Q&A and Information Sessions: Attend live Q&A panels with current and alumni fellows to learn more about the fellowship experience
5. Selection Process: Competitive selection based on:
   • Quality of scientific breakthrough
   • Potential for commercial impact
   • Team composition
   • Alignment with Activate focus areas
   • Commitment to solving global challenges

Required Materials

• Application form (details not fully specified in provided content)
• Evidence of scientific/technical breakthrough
• Information about team composition
• Proposed venture focus area

Key Points for Applicants

• Two-year commitment required
• Work in approved host laboratory
• Engage with mentorship and community
• Access to resources and funding during fellowship
• Expected to pursue commercialization of innovation