Deadline: October 28, 2025
Description
The Activate Fellowship 2026 empowers scientists and engineers to transform their research into real-world impact. The program supports innovators working on “hard tech for good” — technologies rooted in the physical and biological sciences that can address urgent global challenges in climate, energy, manufacturing, and beyond. Fellows receive two years of full-time support to develop their innovations, launch startups, and scale their ideas into viable enterprises.
The fellowship begins in summer 2026, with fellows joining one of five Activate communities: Berkeley, Boston, Houston, New York, or the virtual “Activate Anywhere” community. Participants engage in technical, business, and leadership development, while working closely with mentors and investors. Activate does not take equity in fellows’ startups or claim intellectual property (IP) ownership, ensuring innovators retain full control of their ideas.
Eligibility
To be eligible, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree and at least four years of post-graduate research or technology development experience. They must be leading the commercial development of a hardware-based innovation for the first time, commit full-time to their project, and be legally authorized to work in the United States for the duration of the fellowship. Projects must be based in the physical or biological sciences, in development stage (not yet in commercial sales), and must not have raised more than $2 million in private funding.
Applicants may apply as individuals or with a co-founder, though only one fellow per project receives full funding. International candidates who can obtain valid U.S. work authorization are also encouraged to apply.
Benefits
Each selected fellow receives $100,000 in research funding, a living stipend, access to world-class laboratory facilities, mentorship from leading scientists and entrepreneurs, and integration into one of the Activate innovation communities. The program also provides training on business models, startup development, fundraising, and commercialization strategy. Fellows are expected to work full-time on their projects and are supported in building connections with investors, government partners, and venture networks.
How to Apply
Applications for the Activate Fellowship Cohort 2026 must be submitted by October 28, 2025, at 8:00 PM ET. Applicants must first complete the eligibility quiz and register on the official Activate portal. Required materials include a blinded one-page resume, a three-page technical vision statement, and a short technical presentation outlining the project’s current status, innovation, and impact potential. Only one application per individual or team is accepted per cycle.
Visit Activate’s official website to begin your application, review templates, and find detailed guidance on eligibility and technical requirements.
Contact Information
For questions or clarifications, applicants can reach out to apply@activate.org.
For more information, visit the official website.
