Climate Tech Fellowship

Innovations emerging from university labs and on-campus entrepreneurship programs are a growing source of climate solutions. Once they leave the university, however, many innovators lose access to the resources and support system needed to progress solutions, creating an early “valley of death”. To address this gap, we are launching The Exchange’s Climate Tech Fellowship to help promising technologies and teams from our university partner network start their early-stage commercialization journey.

 

The Climate Tech Fellowship is designed to empower early-stage climate tech innovators by providing mentorship, funding, and access to a broad climate tech ecosystem. Fellows will gain practical entrepreneurship skills through expert-led modules, 1:1 mentorship, and tailored support, along with networking opportunities with investors, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and strategic partners. They will also receive dedicated support for developing business models and advancing their innovations—with the ultimate goal of accelerating their journey from lab to market.

Key Details

Timeline: 6 months, starting with a virtual kickoff in August 2025 and culminating with events in February 2026 

Format: Virtual sessions with an in-person engagement in New York City during Climate Week NYC 2025

Climate Week NYC: All fellows will be in-person with The Exchange during Climate Week NYC (September 21-28, 2025). Fellows will be featured at a public Exchange event during Climate Week 

Review our Evaluation Criteria

View Frequently Asked Questions


APPLICATION IS NOW CLOSED 

The Climate Tech Fellowship received 80+ applications from individuals representing 10 schools. 

Offerings

  • $10,000 stipend for fellows (per team)  

  • Expert led hybrid programming, with tailored commercialization objectives 

  • In Person programming for Climate Week NYC in September 2025 

  • 1:1 mentorship and a personalized fellowship blueprint 

  • Intros to strategic partners and access to The Exchange’s network through events and online  

Eligibility 

To qualify for the fellowship, applicants must be early-stage innovators affiliated with one of The Exchange’s university partners:  

  • Stony Brook University 

  • University of Washington 

  • Pratt Institute 

  • Duke University 

  • Georgia Tech 

  • Pace University 

  • New York University (NYU) City University of New York (CUNY) 

  • Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) 

  • University of Oxford 

  • SUNY Maritime College 

University affiliation may include current faculty, students, or recent alumni who developed their innovation during their time at the institution. Special consideration will be given to applicants from underrepresented backgrounds.