Activate Fellowship

Activate Fellowship sits under Activate Global and supports scientists and engineers who want to become founders of hardtech startups. The program backs full-time, pre-commercial projects rooted in the physical or biological sciences, including climate, energy, manufacturing, and related engineering fields. It is built as a two-year fellowship rather than a traditional equity round or ordinary grant. Each fellow receives more than $300,000 over two years, typically through an annual living stipend of $80,000 to $110,000, a $100,000 project and R and D allowance, at least $75,000 in flexible capital, and added help with health insurance, travel, and relocation. The program runs through five cohort communities in Berkeley, Boston, Houston, New York, and an Anywhere track for remote U.S.-based fellows, all using one application and one selection process. The fellowship is strongest for first-time founders who can commit to one project and show that they are still early enough to benefit from deep technical support. Projects must stay below the program's non-government debt and equity cap, and the best candidates usually combine a serious scientific problem, a believable path to a company, and the stamina to spend two years building before product revenue exists.

Each grant below is a distinct funding opportunity with its own eligibility, scope, and deliverables.