How much funding does Activate Fellowship (US) provide?

Funding amounts vary. Check the grant details for specifics.

When is the deadline for Activate Fellowship (US)?

The deadline is September 15, 2026.

Activate Fellowship (US)

ACTIVATE GLOBAL INC

Foundation Annual Grants for Startups Grants for Science Research Workforce Development Grants

Funding Amount

Varies

Deadline

September 15, 2026

106 days left

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

Activate Fellowship (US)

Program Type: Two-year entrepreneurial fellowship for hard-tech founders

Geographic Scope: United States (communities in Berkeley, Boston, New York, Houston, and Anywhere)

Focus Areas: Hard technology across 16 verticals including:

Advanced Manufacturing & Automation

Built Environment & Infrastructure

Carbon Capture, Utilization & Storage

Chemistry & Advanced Materials

Climate & Resilience

Computing & Semiconductors

Earth Systems & Resources

Electronics & Sensing

Energy Generation & Delivery

Energy Storage & Batteries

Food & Agriculture

Industrial Biotechnology

Life Sciences & Precision Health

Space & Remote Sensing

Transportation & Logistics

Water Technologies

Eligibility:

Must have a bachelor's degree

4+ years post-baccalaureate scientific research, engineering, or technology development experience

Leading commercial development of hardware-based technology innovation for the first time (not a repeat hard tech founder)

Committed full-time to proposed project/company if awarded

Legally able to work in U.S. for fellowship duration

Proficient English communication

Project Eligibility:

Based in physical or biological sciences or related engineering disciplines

Still in development; not yet ready for full-scale product sales at application deadline

Has not raised more than $2M in debt or equity funding from non-governmental sources at application deadline

What They Fund:

Fellowship support for early-stage science entrepreneurs

Curriculum on entrepreneurial mindsets, technoeconomic framing, fundraising readiness, strategic relationships

Program Support:

Two-year runway and funding

Mentorship and coaching

Community and peer networks

Access to capital and investors

Contact: recruitment team available via website

Background: Flagship Activate program supporting 188+ fellows who have founded 147 companies, created 2,000+ U.S. jobs, and secured $3.5B+ in follow-on funding as of 2024.

How to Apply

Application Process

Key Timeline:

Interest form opens: Now

Applications open: September 15, 2026

Cohort 2027 recruitment

Application Steps:
1. Fill out Applicant Interest Form to receive application link
2. Register account in application portal
3. Complete application tasks in portal
4. Add co-applicant as collaborator (if desired)
5. Generate required application materials
6. Submit all materials by deadline

Required Application Materials:

Blinded Resume (1 page)

Remove all personal identifying information including name, photos/headshots

Replace name with "APPLICANT" if needed for formatting

Template provided in application portal

Technical Vision Document (3 pages)

Avoid jargon and acronyms specific to your field

Include:

- Vision: Describe new science/engineering behind core innovation
- You vs State of the Art: How is it done today? What's new in your approach?
- Market Viability: Will you create marketplace value? Cost and customer details?
- Milestones and Risks: Mid-term and final "exams" for success? Technology and market risks? Mitigation strategies?
- Social Impact: How does technology contribute to better world? Who impacted and at what scale?

Technical Reality Document (1 page)

Technical details describing current status of project

Include: text, diagrams, equations, photos, analysis, references

Include pictures/diagrams showing broader systems or processes

Can reference publications in Supporting Documentation

Technical Slides (3-4 slides)

Technical Details (1-2 slides): Current status, accomplishments, diagrams, equations, graphs, photos, analyses

Progress on First Product and Business Model (1 slide): What learned about first product(s) and potential business model(s) to monetize

Two-Year Work Plan (1 slide): Proposed work plan during fellowship to progress from current status toward technical vision

Page Limits: Materials submitted outside page limits will result in disqualification

Submission Format: Upload through application portal as prompted

Application Tips Available: Fellowship fit information and tips provided on website