About this opportunity
The hardest moment in climate innovation is the gap between a promising laboratory result and a company that investors will back. Breakthrough Energy Fellows was built for exactly that gap. The 2027 cohort, the seventh, invites innovators working on very early stage hard tech climate companies to apply for the Innovator Fellowship, a full time, one year commitment that pairs up to $500,000 in catalytic investment through a SAFE with technical support, mentorship and access to Breakthrough Energy's global network.
The technology bar is ambitious on purpose. Applicants should be working at roughly Technology Readiness Level 1 to 4 on solutions with the potential, at scale, to reduce or capture at least 500 million tonnes of greenhouse gases per year, or to meaningfully address climate adaptation. Categories of interest include manufacturing, electricity, transportation, food and agriculture, and buildings, with other categories considered when they clear the same impact threshold. Projects have typically raised less than $2 million in dilutive funding, excluding grants.
You do not need an incorporated company to apply, though selected fellows must have one legally in place before the programme begins in September 2027. The programme accepts international applicants from around the world, with communication and curriculum delivered in English, which keeps it open to African founders and researchers. Business Fellows and Explorers are not part of this window. They are recruited as needed and considered on a rolling basis. The current call is for Innovator Fellowship concept papers, due by 2 November 2026.
What you receive
- Up to $500,000 in catalytic investment through a SAFE for selected Innovator Fellows
- A full time, one year fellowship within Cohort 7, beginning September 2027
- Technical support and mentorship to move early stage technology toward the market
- Access to Breakthrough Energy's global network across research, business and policy
Who can apply
- Innovators building very early stage hard tech climate companies
- Technology at approximately Technology Readiness Level 1 to 4
- Potential to reduce or capture at least 500 million tonnes of greenhouse gases per year at scale, or to meaningfully address climate adaptation
- Typically less than $2 million raised in dilutive funding, excluding grants
- Prepared to commit full time to developing and commercialising the technology
- Able to form or incorporate a company before the Fellowship begins in September 2027
- International applicants from around the world are accepted, with communication and curriculum in English
Who should not apply
- A company does not need to be incorporated at application, but selected fellows must have a legally incorporated company before the programme starts
- This window is for the Innovator Fellowship only. Business Fellows are recruited as needed, and Explorers are considered on a rolling basis
- Incremental improvements to existing solutions are outside the scope. The programme looks for major emissions reductions
Documents to prepare
- A concept paper describing the technology and its climate impact
- Preliminary information submitted through the Breakthrough Energy Fellows application portal
How to apply
- Register for an account on the Breakthrough Energy Fellows application portal at https://befellows.smapply.org/
- Select the Innovator Fellowship application for Cohort 7
- Submit your concept paper and preliminary information before 2 November 2026. No cut-off time is published, so submit early
- If your concept paper is selected, you will be invited to submit a full application with additional information
- Full applications that advance are invited to a deep dive interview session
Selection process
- Step 1: concept papers and preliminary information are accepted through 2 November 2026
- Step 2: selected concept papers are asked to submit a full application with additional information
- Step 3: selected full applications are invited to a deep dive interview session
- Step 4: the Cohort 7 programme begins in September 2027
Sources and verification
Related opportunities
- The Lab 2027 Call for Ideas, Climate Finance Vehicles
The Lab has opened its 2027 Call for Ideas for climate finance vehicles that can mobilise private capital in emerging markets, with a support package worth more than USD 250,000.
- Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship 2027
The Dunin-Deshpande Queen's Innovation Centre is opening applications for the 2027 Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship, a free, fully virtual, 8-month programme for African students and recent graduates building ventures. Up to 60 fellows in the final phase receive a stipend of $500 CAD, and fellows pitch for prizes of up to $15,000 CAD. Apply by 1 December 2026.
Questions applicants ask
Do I need to have already started a company?
No. You can apply before incorporating, but selected Innovator Fellows must have a legally incorporated company before the programme starts in September 2027.
Can applicants from Africa apply?
Yes. The programme accepts international applicants from around the world, and communication and curriculum are currently delivered in English.
What are the Explorers and Business Fellowship pathways?
Explorers support earlier stage, higher risk climate research, typically within universities or research institutions, and are considered on a rolling basis. Business Fellows are experienced business professionals who help innovators commercialise, recruited as needed. Neither is part of the current application window.
Important disclaimer
Nextali researches and curates useful opportunities to make discovery easier. Before applying, verify every timeline, requirement, fee and application link on the official provider website. Do your own research into the organisation, its background and the authenticity of the offer. Nextali does not guarantee selection, funding or the conduct of third party providers.
