Ready to Change the World?
Start With the Activate Fellowship
Applications are now closed for Cohort 2024. Applicants will be notified about the status of their applications by the end of December 2023. Sign up for updates to learn more about recruitment for our 2025 cohort.
To be eligible, you:
Must have a bachelor’s degree and 4+ years post-baccalaureate scientific research, engineering, or technology development experience.
Must be leading the commercial development of a hardware-based technology innovation for the first time if awarded the fellowship i.e., not a repeat hard tech founder.
Must be committed full-time to the proposed project or company if awarded the fellowship.
Must be legally able to work in the U.S. for the duration of the fellowship.
Must be able to communicate proficiently in English.
To be eligible, your proposed project or company…
Must be based in the physical or biological sciences or related engineering disciplines.
Must still be in development and not yet ready for full-scale product sales at the time of the application deadline.
Must not have raised more than $2M in debt or equity funding from non-governmental sources at the time of the application deadline.
What we look for
Technical Excellence
Are you deeply knowledgeable in the field of your proposed project to independently and safely lead the technical work involved? Can you communicate complicated, technical concepts to a general audience?
Leadership
Are you motivated to grow professionally through the leadership training the fellowship provides? Can you manage conflict and act with integrity through ambiguity to mobilize the resources needed to advance your proposed project?
Participation
Will you support an inclusive, equitable, and diverse environment—in the fellowship community and the wider innovation ecosystem? Will you positively contribute to the fellowship community?
Feasibility
Is your proposed project rooted in sound scientific principles? Does it present a credible path to scale, including viable entry markets or the potential to pivot? Is it reasonably differentiated from existing solutions and commercial efforts?
Impact Potential
Is your project aligned with Activate’s mission of science for good? Will the fellowship meaningfully alter the trajectory of your professional development and your proposed project?
