BE Fellows — Explorer

BE Fellows — Explorer

Funds early climate research by university experts, enabling high-upside experiments before ventures are spun out.

Eligibility · Global — open worldwide

Breakthrough Energy's Explorer grant funds applied research projects at the earliest stage of technology development — TRL 0–2 — where the principal challenge is proof of concept rather than commercialization. Explorers are typically scientists, professors, or faculty members housed at universities or research institutions who are advancing novel climate technology ideas requiring further technical exploration before a spinout is feasible. Unlike the Innovator Fellowship, the Explorer track does not require applicants to leave their academic position. Awards range from $50,000 to $250,000 per project, structured as grants rather than SAFE instruments, and cover laboratory or office space, equipment, supplies, technical consultants, and personnel costs. Indirect costs are capped at 10% of the award.

The same emissions threshold applies as for Innovator Fellows: technologies must have the potential, at scale, to reduce or capture greenhouse gases by at least 500 million tonnes CO2-equivalent per year. All technology categories are welcomed — manufacturing, electricity, agriculture, transportation, and buildings. Project duration is approximately one year. Funding is managed through Breakthrough Energy Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, and Fellows are required to publish or share results as a condition of the award.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis throughout 2026, with selections expected mid- to late-2026. Applications are submitted through the portal at befellows.smapply.org. The program is international; all communications and curriculum are conducted in English. For researchers based in Southeast Asia, a regional hub co-funded with Enterprise Singapore and Temasek provides additional local commercialization mentorship and resources. Questions can be directed to information@befellows.org. Applicants who have a company already incorporated should consider the Innovator Fellowship track instead.