Applications are currently being accepted for the Activate Fellowship for Hard-Tech Leaders 2026. Interested applicants are encouraged to click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
The Activate Fellowship Program is designed for scientists, engineers, and technology developers who are moving from research toward commercialising a hardware-based innovation for the first time.
The fellowship provides financial resources, professional development, mentorship, and a founder community to help participants advance their technologies and build ventures.
The program is particularly designed to support scientist-turned-founders as they transition from scientific research and technology development into entrepreneurship.
Fellows receive several forms of financial support during the fellowship.
The support package includes:
Based on the stated fixed amounts, the living, R&D, and travel/professional-development components total $212,000 per year, before the additional health insurance and relocation support.
Fellow Eligibility
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.
Project Eligibility
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.
Apply for Activate Fellowship for Hard-Tech Leaders
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