Apply now for Climate Tech Fellowship Program 2026

Deadline: 01-Aug-2026

The Climate Tech Fellowship is a six-month hybrid innovation program by The New York Climate Exchange that supports early-stage innovators developing energy technologies for climate adaptation and urban resilience. The fellowship helps researchers, engineers, scientists, and entrepreneurs move climate solutions from early prototypes toward commercialization through funding, mentorship, market support, and investor connections.

The program provides selected teams with a $10,000 non-dilutive stipend, expert guidance, commercialization training, and opportunities to connect with climate technology partners and investors.

Overview of the Climate Tech Fellowship

The Climate Tech Fellowship supports innovators creating technologies that address climate challenges through energy innovation and stronger urban resilience.

The program focuses on helping promising climate technologies progress through key development stages, including:

• Prototype development.
• Early pilot testing.
• Early commercialization.
• Market preparation.
• Commercial deployment planning.

The fellowship connects technical innovators with resources needed to transform research-based solutions into scalable climate technologies.

Purpose of the Climate Tech Fellowship

The main goal of the Climate Tech Fellowship is to accelerate the development of climate technologies that strengthen cities and energy systems.

The program aims to:

• Support early-stage climate entrepreneurs and researchers.
• Improve the transition from innovation to market adoption.
• Advance energy technologies that address climate risks.
• Build stronger urban climate resilience.
• Connect innovators with experts, investors, and industry partners.

The fellowship focuses on practical solutions that can contribute to cleaner, more reliable, and more adaptable urban environments.

Focus Areas of the Fellowship

The Climate Tech Fellowship supports technologies operating at the intersection of energy innovation and urban resilience.

Priority areas include:

End-Use Energy Innovation

Projects that improve how energy is consumed and managed.

Examples include:

• Energy efficiency technologies.
• Smart energy management systems.
• Low-carbon building solutions.
• Technologies reducing energy demand.

Power Generation and Energy Storage

Innovations that improve energy production and storage systems.

Examples include:

• Renewable energy technologies.
• Advanced energy storage solutions.
• Distributed power systems.
• Clean energy generation methods.

Grid Modernization

Technologies that improve electricity networks and reliability.

Examples include:

• Smart grid technologies.
• Grid flexibility solutions.
• Energy management platforms.
• Systems supporting renewable integration.

Natural Carbon Solutions

Technologies that support carbon reduction and climate mitigation.

Examples include:

• Carbon removal approaches.
• Nature-based climate solutions.
• Carbon monitoring technologies.
• Ecosystem-focused innovations.

Cross-Cutting Climate Resilience Technologies

Solutions that help cities adapt to climate impacts.

Examples include:

• Climate risk management tools.
• Urban resilience technologies.
• Adaptation-focused infrastructure solutions.
• Systems improving city preparedness.

Who Is Eligible?

The Climate Tech Fellowship is open globally to early-stage innovators working on energy-related climate solutions.

Eligible applicants may include:

• Researchers.
• Scientists.
• Engineers.
• Entrepreneurs.
• Individual innovators.
• Startup teams.
• University-affiliated or independent innovators.

Applicants do not need to:

• Have an incorporated company.
• Be affiliated with a university.
• Have a registered startup.

Applicant Requirements

Applicants should meet the following conditions:

• Be developing an energy-related climate technology.
• Be working at an early development stage.
• Have a solution at prototype, early pilot, or early commercialization stage.
• Be within the stage from pre-company formation to pre-seed.
• Commit several hours per week during the six-month fellowship.

Both individuals and teams can apply.

Fellowship Benefits and Support

Selected fellows receive financial and non-financial support to accelerate their climate technology development.

Benefits include:

Non-Dilutive Funding

Selected teams receive:

• $10,000 non-dilutive stipend per team.

Non-dilutive funding allows innovators to develop their solutions without giving up ownership equity.

Mentorship Support

Fellows receive guidance from experienced professionals who can support:

• Technology development.
• Business strategy.
• Market positioning.
• Commercial growth planning.

Commercialization and Go-to-Market Training

The program provides structured training focused on:

• Understanding customer needs.
• Developing commercialization strategies.
• Preparing technologies for market entry.
• Building sustainable business models.

Expert Sessions

Participants gain access to sessions with climate and energy experts covering:

• Technical challenges.
• Industry trends.
• Deployment strategies.
• Market opportunities.

Investor and Partner Access

The fellowship helps innovators connect with:

• Climate technology investors.
• Industry partners.
• Potential collaborators.
• Organizations supporting climate innovation.

Climate Week NYC Participation Support

The program covers travel and accommodation expenses for one team member to participate in Climate Week NYC in September.

This opportunity allows fellows to:

• Showcase their work.
• Connect with climate leaders.
• Build partnerships.
• Increase visibility within the climate innovation ecosystem.

Fellowship Format and Duration

The Climate Tech Fellowship runs for:

• Duration: Six months.
• Format: Hybrid program.

Participants should be able to dedicate several hours each week to:

• Fellowship activities.
• Mentorship sessions.
• Training programs.
• Community engagement.
• Commercial development activities.

How the Climate Tech Fellowship Works

The fellowship application and selection process follows several stages.

Step 1: Prepare Your Innovation Profile

Applicants should clearly describe:

• The climate challenge being addressed.
• The technology solution.
• Current development stage.
• Potential environmental and urban impact.
• Commercialization opportunity.

Step 2: Submit an Application

Applicants provide information about:

• Individual or team background.
• Technology development progress.
• Innovation approach.
• Market potential.
• Alignment with energy and urban resilience goals.

Step 3: Application Review

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Selection criteria include:

• Strength of innovation.
• Technical potential.
• Commercialization readiness.
• Climate impact.
• Alignment with energy and urban resilience objectives.

Step 4: Shortlisting and Selection

Shortlisted applicants may be invited for additional discussions or evaluation.

Approximately:

• 5–10 teams are selected for each fellowship cohort.

Step 5: Participate in the Fellowship

Selected fellows receive:

• Funding support.
• Mentorship.
• Training.
• Expert guidance.
• Networking opportunities.
• Commercialization assistance.

Why the Climate Tech Fellowship Matters

Climate change is increasing pressure on cities, energy systems, and infrastructure worldwide.

The Climate Tech Fellowship helps address these challenges by supporting technologies that can:

• Improve energy reliability.
• Reduce carbon emissions.
• Strengthen climate adaptation.
• Increase urban resilience.
• Accelerate clean technology deployment.

Supporting early-stage innovators is important because many breakthrough climate solutions require technical development, market support, and investment connections before reaching widespread adoption.

Tips for a Strong Application

Applicants can improve their chances by:

• Clearly explaining the climate problem they are solving.
• Demonstrating why their technology is innovative.
• Showing evidence of technical progress.
• Explaining the pathway to commercialization.
• Highlighting potential urban resilience benefits.
• Providing realistic development goals.
• Describing how fellowship support will accelerate progress.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Applying with solutions unrelated to energy or climate resilience.
• Describing ideas without evidence of technical development.
• Failing to explain commercialization potential.
• Providing unclear impact goals.
• Applying with technologies that are already fully commercialized.
• Ignoring the time commitment required during the fellowship.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the Climate Tech Fellowship?

The Climate Tech Fellowship is a six-month hybrid program by The New York Climate Exchange that supports early-stage innovators developing energy technologies for urban resilience and climate adaptation.

Who can apply for the Climate Tech Fellowship?

Researchers, scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs, individuals, and teams from anywhere in the world can apply if they are developing eligible energy-related climate technologies.

Do applicants need to have a company?

No. Applicants do not need an incorporated company. Individuals, early-stage teams, and pre-company innovators can apply.

How much funding do selected fellows receive?

Selected teams receive a $10,000 non-dilutive stipend to support technology development and commercialization activities.

What stage should the technology be at?

Applicants should be working on technologies at the prototype, early pilot, or early commercialization stage, from pre-company formation to pre-seed.

How many teams are selected?

Approximately 5–10 teams are selected for each fellowship cohort.

What support do fellows receive besides funding?

Fellows receive mentorship, commercialization training, expert sessions, investor access, partner connections, and support for one team member’s participation at Climate Week NYC.

Conclusion

The Climate Tech Fellowship provides early-stage climate innovators with the funding, mentorship, and connections needed to advance energy technologies that improve urban resilience. By supporting researchers, entrepreneurs, and technical teams worldwide, the program helps accelerate the transition from climate innovation to real-world impact.

Innovators developing energy solutions for cleaner, stronger, and more adaptable cities can use this fellowship opportunity to gain resources, expertise, and networks that support long-term climate technology success.

For more information, visit NY Climate Exchange.