Applications are open for the Breakthrough Energy Fellows 2027 Cohort 7, a global programme for scientists, engineers and innovators developing breakthrough technologies to tackle climate change.
The programme is targeting very early-stage climate technologies capable of significantly reducing or capturing greenhouse gas emissions at scale or meaningfully addressing climate adaptation.
Selected Innovator Fellows can receive up to $500,000 in catalytic investment through a SAFE for research and development, plus technical support, mentorship and access to Breakthrough Energy’s global network.
The application deadline is November 2, 2026, with the programme scheduled to begin in September 2027.
Breakthrough Energy Fellows is part of Breakthrough Energy Discovery, the early-stage innovation arm of Breakthrough Energy. It helps climate technology developers overcome technical and business barriers before their technologies are ready for large-scale commercialisation.
The programme has three pathways:
- Innovator Fellowship: For early-stage climate technology innovators building companies.
- Business Fellowship: For experienced business professionals supporting Innovator Fellows with commercialisation.
- Explorers: For earlier-stage, higher-risk climate research, typically within universities or research institutions.
The current application window is for the 2027 Innovator Fellowship. Business Fellows are recruited as needed, while Explorers are considered on a rolling basis.
Who can apply?
The Innovator Fellowship is designed for innovators working on very early-stage hard-tech climate companies.
Applicants typically need to:
- Have technology at approximately Technology Readiness Level 1–4.
- Be developing technology capable of reducing or capturing at least 500 million tonnes of greenhouse gases per year at scale, or meaningfully addressing climate adaptation.
- Have typically raised less than $2 million in dilutive funding, excluding grants.
- Commit full-time to developing and commercialising the technology.
- Be able to form or incorporate a company before the Fellowship begins.
Applicants do not need an incorporated company when they apply, but selected Fellows must have a legally incorporated company before the programme starts.
The programme is open to applicants worldwide, with communication and curriculum currently delivered in English.
What technologies qualify?
Breakthrough Energy is looking for technologies capable of delivering major emissions reductions, rather than incremental improvements to existing solutions.
Areas of interest include:
- Manufacturing
- Electricity
- Transportation
- Food and agriculture
- Buildings
Other technologies may also be considered if they meet the programme’s emissions or climate-impact threshold.
What Fellows receive
Selected Innovator Fellow projects can receive up to $500,000 through a SAFE for eligible R&D costs.
The funding can support laboratory and office space, equipment, supplies, technical consultants, staffing and other research and development costs tied to agreed technical milestones.
The funding is not a conventional $500,000 grant. Breakthrough Energy describes it as catalytic investment through a SAFE.
Fellows also receive:
- Technology project management support.
- Curriculum and one-on-one mentorship.
- Access to Breakthrough Energy’s network across technology, finance, government, policy, business and investment.
- In-kind support in communications, policy, legal services, techno-economics and recruitment.
Full-time programme
The Innovator Fellowship is a full-time, one-year programme.
Fellows should not have external employment, consulting commitments or enrolment in academic programmes outside their startup during the Fellowship.
Cohort 7 begins in September 2027. Fellows will work towards technical milestones for 12 months, followed by three months of close-out and evaluation.
Relocation is not required, although Breakthrough Energy may organise in-person cohort events and collaboration activities.
Can teams apply?
Yes. Teams with co-founders are encouraged to apply, but Breakthrough Energy advises each team to submit one application per team.
Applicants who already have a company can also apply.
Selection process
The application process has four stages:
- Concept Paper: Applicants submit a Concept Paper and preliminary information. The deadline is November 2, 2026.
- Full Application: Selected Concept Papers advance to a detailed application.
- Deep-Dive Interview: Selected Full Applications proceed to a Deep-Dive interview session.
- Fellowship: Successful applicants join Cohort 7 in September 2027.
Technical experts assess applications based on factors including technical innovation and feasibility, breakthrough potential and the proposed project plan. Business and legal due diligence is also conducted.
Explorer programme
The Explorer pathway supports climate technologies at an even earlier stage.
Explorers are typically researchers at universities or research institutions. They can receive approximately $50,000 to $250,000 for research and development while remaining in their existing professional positions.
The programme is open internationally and does not require relocation.
How to apply
Interested innovators can submit their Concept Paper through the official Breakthrough Energy Fellows application portal.
Apply for Breakthrough Energy Fellows 2027
Applicants should use the official portal and be cautious of anyone requesting money or financial information while claiming to represent Breakthrough Energy. The organisation warns that it does not conduct official business through social media or request payments by cash, gift cards, wire transfer or cryptocurrency.
Key details
Programme: Breakthrough Energy Fellows
Cohort: Cohort 7 / 2027
Pathway: Innovator Fellowship
Focus: Breakthrough climate and clean-energy technologies
Eligibility: Global
Technology stage: Typically TRL 1–4
Funding: Up to $500,000 through a SAFE
Commitment: Full-time
Start date: September 2027
Relocation: Not required
Application stage: Concept Paper
Deadline: November 2, 2026
Application: Online
Source: msmeafricaonline
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