New York Climate Exchange Climate Tech Fellowship 2026 (Fully Funded Fellowship with $10,000 Grant)

Applications are now open for the New York Climate Exchange Climate Tech Fellowship 2026, a prestigious six-month hybrid fellowship designed for early-stage climate innovators worldwide. Supported by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), the fellowship helps researchers, scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs transform promising climate technologies into commercially viable solutions.

The 2026 cohort focuses on Energy & Urban Resilience, providing selected fellows with a $10,000 non-dilutive grant, expert mentorship, commercialization training, investor connections, and an opportunity to participate in Climate Week NYC in New York City. The programme is open to innovators from around the world, and applicants do not need to be incorporated as a company or affiliated with a university.

Fellowship Overview

• Host Country: United States (Hybrid)
• Organizer: The New York Climate Exchange
• Supported By: NYSERDA
• Programme: Climate Tech Fellowship 2026
• Duration: 6 Months (September 2026 – February 2027)
• Format: Hybrid (Virtual + In-Person)
• Location of In-Person Activities: New York City, USA
• Application Deadline: 1 August 2026 (11:59 PM EDT)
• Application Fee: None
• Eligible Applicants: Global Applicants

Fellowship Benefits

Selected fellows will receive:

• USD 10,000 non-dilutive stipend (per team)
• Six months of structured commercialization support
• One-on-one mentorship from climate, energy, and venture experts
• Go-to-market training and customer discovery workshops
• Sessions on fundraising, intellectual property (IP), communications, and climate equity
• Personalized commercialization roadmap with monthly progress reviews
• Introductions to investors, policymakers, and strategic partners
• Opportunity to showcase innovations during Climate Week NYC
• Travel and accommodation for one team member to attend the in-person programme in New York City
• Lifetime access to The Exchange’s innovation ecosystem and network

Focus Areas for 2026

The fellowship seeks innovations that strengthen Energy & Urban Resilience, including:

• End-use Energy Innovation (Smart Buildings)
• Power Generation
• Battery and Energy Storage
• Grid Modernization
• Distributed Energy Systems
• Natural Carbon Solutions
• Green Infrastructure
• Climate Adaptation Technologies

Cross-disciplinary innovations that address multiple focus areas are also encouraged.

Who Can Apply?

The fellowship is designed for:

• Researchers
• Scientists
• Engineers
• Entrepreneurs
• Startup Founders
• University Researchers
• Independent Innovators
• Early-stage Climate Technology Teams

Applicants should:

• Be developing a climate technology related to Energy & Urban Resilience
• Be at the prototype, pilot, or early commercialization stage
• Be interested in commercialization and venture development
• Commit several hours per week during the six-month programme

University affiliation is not required, and applicants do not need to have an incorporated company. The fellowship welcomes applications from innovators worldwide and particularly encourages founders from underrepresented backgrounds.

Programme Timeline

• Applications Open: June 2026
• Application Deadline: 1 August 2026
• Programme Onboarding: September 2026
• Climate Week NYC (In Person): September 2026
• Virtual Training & Mentorship: October 2026 – January 2027
• Final Showcase: February 2027

What Will Fellows Learn?

Participants will gain practical experience in:

• Climate Technology Commercialization
• Startup Development
• Customer Discovery
• Market Validation
• Fundraising Strategy
• Intellectual Property
• Business Model Development
• Climate Innovation
• Venture Building
• Investor Pitching
• Leadership
• Climate Entrepreneurship

Selection Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on:

• Innovation quality
• Potential climate impact
• Commercialization readiness
• Technical feasibility
• Alignment with the fellowship’s Energy & Urban Resilience theme
• Team capability and commitment

Why Apply?

The Climate Tech Fellowship is designed to bridge the “valley of death” that often prevents promising climate innovations from reaching the market. Fellows receive funding, mentorship, commercialization support, and direct access to investors, policymakers, and industry leaders, helping them accelerate their technologies from research to real-world implementation.

The New York Climate Exchange Climate Tech Fellowship 2026 is an outstanding opportunity for early-stage innovators working on climate solutions. With a $10,000 non-dilutive grant, personalized mentorship, commercialization training, and global networking opportunities, the fellowship equips researchers and entrepreneurs with the tools needed to transform innovative ideas into scalable climate technologies. If you are developing solutions that enhance energy systems and urban resilience, this programme offers an excellent pathway to accelerate your impact on a global stage.