Eligibility
Applications are now open for Cohort 6 of Breakthrough Energy Fellows! The BE Fellows program launched by Breakthrough Energy has helped early-stage innovators turn bold ideas into scalable climate solutions by supporting cutting-edge research and development globally. With catalytic funding, hands-on technical guidance, access to a world-class network, and a global community of peers, Fellows gain the tools they need to move from the lab bench toward real-world impact.
Who is it for?
Extraordinary scientists, engineers, and early-stage entrepreneurs who are:
- Developing a high-impact climate technology (TRL 1–4)
- Able to reduce emissions by 500M tons/year at scale
- Ambitious to bring their solution to market
Fellows receive:
- Up to $500K in R&D funding + $500K in in-kind resources
- Deep technical and entrepreneurial mentorship for a year
- Access to BE’s global network of investors, partners, and industry leaders
- A community of peers tackling climate challenges across manufacturing, electricity, agriculture, transportation, and buildings
Pathways:
- Innovator Fellows: world-leading scientists, engineers, or teams working to commercialize clean technologies. Typically, Innovator projects have raised less than $2M in dilutive funding and must be legally incorporated prior to program start date of September 2026.
- Explorer Fellows: Applied research projects that are earlier stage, higher technical risk, and novel breakthroughs. Explorers are typically in a university lab or research entity and are overseen by professors, faculty members, or researchers who are advancing proof-of-concept ideas that require further technical exploration before spinning out of the institution.
- Business Fellows: experienced professionals with tech commercialization skills who support the Innovator Fellows in accelerating their path to market.
What to expect:
Steps in the selection process include:
- Step 1: Submitting a Concept Paper and preliminary information – applications accepted through November 10, 2025
- Step 2: Selected Concept Papers will be asked to submit a Full Application with additional information
- Step 3: Selected Full Applications will be invited to participate in a Deep-Dive interview session
- Step 4: The Cohort 6 program begins in September 2026
The above timeline applies to the Innovator Fellowship. Business Fellows and Explorers will be considered on a rolling basis.
Check out: Breakthrough Energy Fellows – Southeast Asia (BE Fellows – SEA) is a regional hub of BE’s flagship Fellows program, supporting early-stage, climate-tech innovators and clean tech companies across Southeast Asia.
Apply here: http://bit.ly/3Im88Kj