Climate Tech Fellowship
Supporting Early-Stage Innovators at the Intersection of Energy & Urban Resilience
Applications Now OPEN
Deadline: Saturday, August 1, 2026, at 11:59PM
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis
About the Fellowship
The Climate Tech Fellowship is a six-month hybrid program that combines expert-led curriculum, 1:1 mentorship, non-dilutive funding, and access to The Exchange's global partner ecosystem. Fellows leave with a clearer commercialization roadmap, stronger fundraising readiness, and a network of mentors, peers, and potential investors. Building on a successful inaugural cohort in 2025, the 2026 Fellowship, supported by NYSERDA, is dedicated to a specific and urgent theme at the intersection of Energy & Urban Resilience. Read the Press Release here.
Why the Fellowship Exists
Many of the most promising early-stage climate solutions never make it out of the lab. Without access to the right support — mentorship, funding, market strategy, and ecosystem connections — innovators face an early "valley of death" that prevents their concepts from becoming deployable, impactful solutions. The New York Climate Exchange created the Climate Tech Fellowship to change that. By bridging the gap between research and real-world deployment, we help promising innovators take the next critical step from concept to a commercially viable climate solution.
Key Partners
What Fellows Receive
Each fellow gains access to a curated set of resources designed to accelerate their path from promising concept to viable venture:
$10,000 non-dilutive stipend (per team)
Structured go-to-market curriculum covering market mapping, customer segmentation, target markets, channels, and commercialization strategy — taught by expert instructors
Expert sessions on fundraising, IP strategy, communications, and climate equity
Dedicated 1:1 mentorship sessions, matched to specific focus area and stage of development
A personalized Fellowship blueprint and tailored roadmap with monthly check-ins to track progress
In-person programming during Climate Week NYC in September, including a showcase for investors and partners. Travel and accommodation for one team member will be covered
Introductions to investors, policymakers, and strategic partners through The Exchange's global network
Focus Area:
Energy & Urban Resilience
The transition to clean energy is accelerating. But resilience cannot be an afterthought. Climate change is making energy systems less resilient. To ensure cities can adequately prepare for, respond and adapt to the impacts of climate change, it’s not enough for advances in energy innovation to offer pathways for decarbonization, they must also safeguard and help to ensure the majority of the world’s population can thrive in the face of climate change. Decentralized generation, batteries, hardened infrastructure and smart grids can advance resilience in critical ways: anticipating system disruptions, minimizing damage and ensuring critical infrastructure remains operational to power communities and economies.
The 2026 cohort focuses on innovators advancing energy solutions that help cities better prepare for, respond to, and adapt to the impacts of climate change. Focus areas include, but are not limited to:
End use Energy Innovation
Power Generation & Storage
Grid Modernization
Natural Carbon Solutions
Cross-cutting innovations that span multiple areas are also welcome. If you are unsure whether your project fits, we encourage you to apply or reach out to discuss.
Who Should Apply?
The Fellowship is designed for early-stage innovators — researchers, scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs — who are working on energy technologies with meaningful urban resilience potential. You are a strong fit if:
Your work addresses Energy & Urban Resilience
You are at the prototype, early pilot, or early commercialization stage
You are looking for more than grant funding (i.e., you want structured support with commercialization strategy, customer discovery, and venture building)
You can commit several hours per week to the program over six months from September 2026-February 2027
University or institutional affiliation is not required. The Fellowship is open to innovators globally. Incorporation is not required. The program is specifically designed for innovators at the pre-company formation to pre-seed stage. We particularly encourage applications from founders from underrepresented backgrounds.
Key Dates
Program Onboarding: September 2026
Climate Week NYC (In Person Participation): September 2026
Virtual Programming (including Go-to-Market modules, and 1:1 Mentor Sessions): October 2026 - January 2027
Culminating Virtual Showcase and Wrap Up: February 2027
How to Apply
Submit your Application for the 2026 Climate Tech Fellowship. The application is free and open to innovators globally.
Innovators interested should complete the Online Form, and provide details on the innovation, goals for the Fellowship, and team. We will review applications on a rolling basis, so we encourage you to apply early.
Review the detailed FAQ and the Evaluation Criteria to learn more.
Join our office hour sessions via Calendly, or reach out to Megha Mehdiratta at mmehdiratta@nyclimateexchange.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The Climate Tech Fellowship is a six-month program designed to help early-stage climate tech innovators bridge the “first valley of death” — the gap between promising research or concept development and a market-ready solution. Through expert-led venture curriculum, 1:1 mentorship, nondilutive funding, and access to The Exchange’s global ecosystem, fellows build the skills, relationships, and commercial clarity they need to advance their innovations.
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The 2026 Climate Tech Fellowship is dedicated to innovators advancing technologies and innovations at the nexus of energy and urban resilience. This includes but is not limited to the following focus areas:
End-use Energy Innovation (Intelligent Buildings) — improving efficiency and performance of the built environment in the face of extreme heat, flooding, and other climate threats
Power Generation & Storage — enabling a reliable, renewable-rich grid through decentralized generation and nimble storage solutions
Grid Modernization — novel approaches to monitoring, controls, communications, and adaptable power management
Natural Carbon Solutions — green infrastructure, carbon storage products, and approaches that reduce emissions and enable sustainable development.
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Fellows receive:
A $10,000 non-dilutive stipend (per team)
Tavel and accommodations during Climate Week NYC in September
A structured go-to-market curriculum delivered in partnership with expert instructors
Access to additional expert sessions on fundraising, IP strategy, climate equity and communications
Three dedicated 1:1 mentorship sessions with a matched expert from the climate, energy, or venture ecosystem
A personalized Fellowship blueprint with monthly check-ins to track progress
In-person programming during Climate Week NYC in September, including a showcase for investors and partners
Introductions to investors, policymakers, and strategic partners through The Exchange’s network
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No, this is primarily a virtual program with in-person programming taking place exclusively during Climate Week NYC in September. You can take part in this program from outside of NYC.
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The 2026 Fellowship runs for approximately 6 months (Summer 2026 to early 2027). Key milestones include:
September 2026: Virtual Onboarding
September 19th – 22nd 2026: Climate Week NYC – in-person travel to NYC
October 2026 – January 2027: Virtual programming modules, mentor meetings and cohort sessions
February 2027: Culminating virtual showcase
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We anticipate selecting between 5 and 10 teams for the 2026 fellowship, with a focus on building a tight-knit cohort.
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No, the program is free to selected fellows.
About the Fellowship
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The Fellowship is designed for early-stage innovators, including researchers, founders, and entrepreneurs, who are actively developing a technology or innovation focused on energy and urban resilience. Ideal applicants are at the prototype, early pilot, or early commercialization stage and are looking for structured support to move their concept from lab to market. We especially welcome applicants who want more than just grant funding: people who are ready to engage deeply with commercialization strategy, customer discovery, and venture building.
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No. The 2026 Fellowship is open to early-stage innovators globally, regardless of institutional affiliation. We welcome independent researchers, scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs, as well as those affiliated with academic institutions.
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No. The program is designed for innovators at the pre-company formation to pre-seed stage of development. You do not need to be incorporated.
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The 2026 Fellowship focuses on energy innovations with urban resilience applications. This includes but is not limited to end-use energy innovation (intelligent buildings), battery and storage technologies, distributed generation, smart grid solutions, green infrastructure, and natural carbon solutions. Crosscutting innovations that span multiple focus areas are also welcome. If you are unsure whether your project fits, we encourage you to apply or reach out to discuss.
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Yes, teams are welcome to apply. However, each team, whether a solo applicant or multiple people, will receive one $10,000 stipend. Travel and accommodation for Climate Week NYC in-person programming are covered for one team member per team. Additional team members may participate in virtual programming and attend in-person events at their own cost.
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Yes. The Fellowship is designed to support early-stage technologies, including those in the research and development phase. The goal is to help bridge the gap between lab concepts and market readiness. That said, applicants should be genuinely interested in commercialization — not just seeking research funding — and be ready to engage with go-to-market curriculum and customer discovery.
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Yes, but applicants should focus on one specific concept during the Fellowship.
Eligibility & Who Should Apply?
Application Process
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Applications open Monday, June 15th, 2026. Deadline: Saturday, August 1st, 2026, at 11:59PM.
The review process includes: a preliminary eligibility and completeness check; evaluation based on impact potential, commercialization readiness, and alignment with the 2026 focus areas; and virtual interviews for shortlisted candidates. Selected fellows will receive an offer and guidance on next steps. There is no application fee, and all materials are kept confidential.
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Yes. We will conduct virtual office hour sessions during the application period. Please use the Calendly link to schedule office hours. You can also reach out directly to Megha Mehdiratta at mmehdiratta@nyclimateexchange.org with questions or to schedule a time to connect.
Have any further questions?
Review the detailed FAQ and the Evaluation Criteria to learn more.
Join our office hour sessions via Calendly, or reach out to Megha Mehdiratta at mmehdiratta@nyclimateexchange.org.
Our Inaugural Cohort
In 2025, we welcomed eight innovators from The Exchange's university partner network — working across grid resilience, hydrogen storage, coral restoration, real-time flood monitoring, wildfire management, and more. Following the fellowship, all fellows are taking concrete steps to move their innovations forward with several pursuing non-dilutive funding, raising seed rounds, designing and deploying pilots, or filing patents.
“The fellowship helped us refine market segmentation, pursue an additional pilot through the networks we built, apply systematic customer discovery methods, and sharpen our value proposition.”
— Mauricio Hernandez, GridSeer
“Going to Climate Week and giving my first-ever pitch was a success — the moment I walked off the stage, I was approached by investors including NYU's impact investment fund, and since we were selected finalists for the fund and nominated for other competitions."
— Ty Roach, Wholome Arks
Climate Week was a huge part of the fellowship for me — I was able to network with stakeholders, founders, and investors including leaders from Activate, BAT, and Newlab”
— Stephanie Taboada, HySep
News
Stony Brook University
September 9th, 2025Blog | New York Climate Exchange
April 1st, 2026
Blog | New York Climate Exchange
February 10th, 2026Stony Brook University
September 30th 2025