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What is Breakthrough Energy?

Founded in 2015, Breakthrough Energy is a global team of climate leaders committed to accelerating the world’s journey to a clean energy future. BE takes a comprehensive view of the climate challenge and drives innovation across technology, policy, and markets to reduce emissions from each of the five sources: manufacturing, electricity, agriculture, transportation, and buildings.

Working with our world-class network of partners, investors, and policy makers, BE supports the innovation of zero-carbon technologies at every stage — from discovery to development to deployment. Our work includes investment vehicles, philanthropic programs, policy advocacy, and other activities — aligned toward building a future where it’s cheaper and more efficient to do everything without emissions – a future that is cleaner, healthier, and more prosperous for everyone.

What is Breakthrough Energy Fellows?

Breakthrough Energy Fellows is designed to tackle early-stage barriers to climate technology innovation, accelerating discovery and increasing the number of technologies working toward commercialization. By providing scientists, innovators, and entrepreneurs with research funding and hands-on support, our program ensures projects have the time, resources, and community to advance to the next stages of development.

Each year, the program selects and funds two types of Breakthrough Energy Fellows: Innovator Fellows – world leading scientists, engineers, and innovators – and Business Fellows – visionary builders, industry experts, and entrepreneurs – to commercialize breakthrough decarbonization technologies. 

The program also funds Explorers, projects that are typically led by researchers at university labs or research institutions and require deeper technical de-risking before leaving the lab.  

How is Breakthrough Energy Fellows different from other innovation programs and venture capital initiatives?

Early-stage climate technology innovation faces unique barriers to funding and development.

• Capital intensive: Climate “hard technology” has world-changing potential but requires different types of support and resources than asset-light technologies like software.
• High-risk: Many ideas and projects will fail before leaving the lab. 
• Long-term: Discovery and development require time – while acceleration is possible, climate technology projects may not appeal to those who seek quick returns.
• Lack of incentives: Established industry is conservative and lacks incentives to take risks on early or emerging technologies.

How do I get involved or apply?

To express interest in participating as a nominator, technical reviewer, mentor, and other roles, please use the form found here. If you’d like to apply to the program, please submit a Concept Paper here. Concept papers for our 2024 Cohort 4 are open through Wednesday, November 8. 

How can I reach out if I have more questions that aren’t covered here?

Additional questions can be sent to information@befellows.org

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How many Fellows will be selected each year?

The number of Fellowships offered each year will vary depending on the strength of the applications and the types of technologies sought. 

What are the criteria to be an Innovator Fellow?

The Innovator Fellowship is intended for very early-stage hard tech climate companies that need technical de-risking and commercialization support. 

At the time of application, successful applicants typically meet the following criteria:

• Technology readiness level 1-4
• Demonstrate the potential to reduce or capture greenhouse gas emissions, at scale, by 500 million tons per year 
• Typically, have raised less than $2M in dilutive funding (not including grant funding)
• Legally incorporated by the start of the program in September 2024

What is the timeline for application submissions and the overall program?

The application process will begin late 2023, and Fellows will be selected mid-2024. The Fellowship will begin in September 2024. Fellows will advance key technical milestones for 12 months, with 3 additional months of close-out and evaluation.

What is the difference between an Innovator Fellow and a Business Fellow?

Innovator Fellows are world-leading scientists, engineers, and innovators who enter the program with critical climate technology to commercialize. Innovator Fellows are bold thinkers, some of the best and brightest scientists in the world who are ready to take the leap from lab to a commercialization-focused environment. Many will have PhDs in their field. Most importantly, we’re looking for people who want to create global impact outside the lab.

Business Fellows will have deep expertise and experience in markets, economics, business models, rapid scale-up of technologies, and overall industry expertise across our identified focus areas. They are, above all, passionate leaders who are excited about the power of science and engineering to transform the world's biggest industries. Most likely, they will have:

• Experience accelerating hardware technology on the path to market
• Applicable business experience within the climate space

How will my application be reviewed? 

Applications to become an Innovator Fellow will be reviewed and scored by technical experts on the following criteria:

• Technical innovation and feasibility
• Breakthrough potential
• Project plan

During the selection period, applicants may be asked to participate in a virtual or in person meeting.

Business Fellow applications will also be reviewed on a history of significant accomplishments, fit with current program needs, and potential for impact in the program. Applicants may be asked to participate in a series of virtual or in person meetings.

All applications will undergo a business and legal diligence process, and applicants should be prepared to answer additional inquiries from evaluators or provide additional information, as may be requested.

Will my application be kept confidential?

Breakthrough Energy values the privacy of applicants to the Fellows Program, and commits to protect the privacy of your personal information and your application materials per the terms of our Privacy Policy. We will share your application with third parties only as necessary to process and review your application. If your application is not selected for funding, we will retain the information and application to help us process and evaluate your application if you apply again. You may request deletion of your full application at any time, and we will retain your personal information and a short summary of your proposal for our records and to confirm deletion. We may use your personal information to provide you updates on the program and share other information related to Breakthrough Energy. Neither you nor Breakthrough Energy will make any public statements about your application without the written approval of the other. Please do not include any trade secrets or other sensitive or confidential information (“Trade Secrets”) with your application materials. If you do include Trade Secrets with your application, we retain the right to delete this information from your application prior to its evaluation, and you agree to waive any potential future claims against us related to your rights in any of the submitted Trade Secrets.

What do Breakthrough Energy Fellows receive?

The Breakthrough Energy Fellows program provides:

• Funding for research, development, and technology de-risking 
• Active technology project management alongside our team of experts to reduce failure risk and speed progress
• Access to a world-class network of partners across business, policy, government, technology, and finance 
• Curriculum and 1:1 mentorship designed to support skills growth and acquisition

What is the time commitment?

Building a new climate startup is a full-time endeavor. Innovator Fellows and Business Fellows should not have external commitments such as employment, consulting, or enrollment in academic programs outside of their startup company.

Innovator Fellows should expect to spend 10-15 hours per month in Fellows-related curriculum and activities.

Business Fellows should expect to spend all of their time supporting Innovators and participating in program curriculum.

If you are not prepared to spend full-time efforts scaling your startup during the Fellowship, you should consider our Explorer program.

Are Fellows allowed to participate in other programs?

Yes, Fellows are permitted to engage with other incubators and accelerators to scale their company during the Fellowship with disclosure to the BE Fellows team. 

Does the Fellows program accept international applicants?

Yes, Breakthrough Energy Fellows is a global program. We accept applications from around the world. 

Currently, all communication and curriculum for the Fellowship will be in English.

Can I be an Innovator or Business Fellow if I am a professor, a faculty member, or full-time researcher?

We are looking for innovators with a critical climate technology to commercialize, and commitment to pursuing that endeavor full-time. While professors, faculty members, and full-time researchers are encouraged to apply, they cannot become Innovator Fellows while staying in-position.

If you are not prepared to spend your full-time efforts on the Innovator Fellowship, you may be a better fit for our Explorer program. 

If accepted, do I have to move from my current location?

You will not be required to relocate for your Fellowship. We may ask you to meet others in your cohort for in-person events and collaboration on a semi-regular basis. Fellows may receive financial resources to offset the costs of travel expenses related to the program.

How do I know if my technology is too early or too late?

The Fellows program targets very early-stage technologies but is not designed to be a substitute for basic scientific research. 

Before applying, we expect that innovators have advanced their innovation to practice and that they have supporting data to share. We target technologies in the Technology Readiness Level range of 1 to 4.

Can we apply as a team?

Yes. If you have co-founders, we encourage you to apply as a team. Please submit only one application per team. You are discouraged from forming a team solely for the purpose of applying for the Fellowship.

Can I apply if I’ve already formed a company?

Yes, you may apply if you have formed a company.

Can I apply if I haven’t already formed a company?

Yes, you may apply if you have not formed a company. It is not a requirement of the Fellowship at the application stage. However, selected Innovator Fellows must have an incorporated company prior to the program start date of September 2024.

Can I apply if I have received investment?

Typically, teams or companies have raised less than $2,000,000 in investment funding (including equity, notes, and safes) prior to the start of the program.

There is no limit to the amount of grant funding teams may raise prior to start. 

What is expected of me if I am selected as a Fellow?

We expect our Fellows to actively engage with one another and the Breakthrough Energy Fellows staff as a cohort of innovators working collaboratively to help commercialize critical climate technology. Fellows are expected to participate in Fellowship events, provide updates to program staff, and contribute positively and professionally to the larger cohort. 

A critical aspect of our Innovator program is Active Technology Management. This includes monthly meetings with our program team to review milestone progress and budget, a formal semi-annual review, and periodic reporting. Fellows are expected to prepare for and attend all Technology Management meetings. 

The Fellows is supported through Breakthrough Energy Foundation (BEF), which is a 501(c)(3) charity. As part of our scientific and educational charitable mission, Fellows are required to contribute to the field by sharing learnings and publishing information (ex: technical publications or presentations) regarding the results of their research, which helps increase the body of knowledge available to the public regarding climate change mitigation technologies. These learnings and publications do not require you to share any proprietary technology.

What happens at the end of the Fellowship?

After the Breakthrough Energy Fellows program, teams graduate and become program alumni. As alumni, teams continue to have access to the resource portal, curriculum, events, mentors, and resources through the Breakthrough Energy Network.  

We will work with you throughout the Fellowship to help define the best path for your technology venture and help you develop the relationships needed to be successful at the end of the Fellowship.

As the Fellowship concludes, we anticipate that most Fellows will pursue a commercialization pathway. 

What kinds of innovation will be considered?

Breakthrough Energy is focused on technologies, processes, or materials that have the potential, at scale, to reduce greenhouse gases by at least 500 million tons per year. 

Our first three cohorts of Fellows are working on innovations across our Five Grand Challenge areas – Manufacturing, Electricity, Transportation, Food & Agriculture, and Buildings.

We continue to welcome high-impact innovations across all technology categories that meet the emissions threshold. 

Most notably, we are looking for breakthrough technologies that are not incremental, but a step change improvement to incumbent technologies and solutions. 

How much funding will I receive?

The Breakthrough Energy Fellows program will provide Fellows with funding to support research and development costs such as lab space, equipment, supplies, staff, and more.

Innovator Fellow projects typically receive up to $500,000. Explorers receive between $50,000-$250,000.

If I’m selected, do I have to start the program in September?

The program is designed so that each cohort of Fellows begins at the same time, as you will participate in shared learning and programing as a cohesive group.  We will consider other schedules on a case-by-case basis, or it may be more appropriate to apply for a future cohort.  

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What is an Explorer?

Explorers receive funding to seed breakthrough climate innovations for earlier stage, higher technical risk endeavors. These projects are typically led by scientists at university labs or research entities.  

Similar to Innovators, Explorer’s technology must demonstrate the potential to reduce CO2 emissions by at least 500 million tons per year.

What is the difference between Explorers and Innovator Fellows? 

Explorer funding supports earlier stage ideas compared to the Innovator Fellowship. Explorers will be allowed to keep their current position, often in a university lab or research institute. Ideally, Explorers will spend their time achieving milestones that would make their technology eligible for the Innovator Fellowship in a future Fellows cohort.

How many Explorers are funded each year?

The number of Explorers funded is dependent upon the quality and number of applications. 

What is the timeline for application submissions?

The application process will begin late 2023, and Grantees will be selected mid- to late-2024. 

How will my application be reviewed? 

Explorers will be selected by technical experts based on the following criteria:

• Technical innovation and feasibility
• Breakthrough potential
• Project plan

Will my application be kept confidential?

Breakthrough Energy Foundation (BEF) values the privacy of applicants to the Fellows Program, and BEF commits to protect the privacy of your personal information and your application materials per the terms of our Privacy Policy. Although we may share this information with independent third parties, we will only share it as necessary to process and review your application. BEF will retain your personal information and one copy of your application. Any additional copies of your application made as part of the evaluation process will be destroyed. If your application is not selected for funding, we will retain the information to help us process and evaluate your application if you apply again. You may request deletion of your full application at any time, but BEF will retain your personal information and a short summary of your proposal for our records. We may use your personal information to provide you updates on the program and share other information related to Breakthrough Energy Foundation. Neither you nor Breakthrough Energy Foundation will make any public statements about your application without the written approval of the other. Please do not include any trade secrets or other sensitive or confidential information (“Trade Secrets”) with your application materials. If you do include Trade Secrets with your application, BEF retains the right to delete this information from your application prior to its evaluation, and you agree to waive any potential future claims against BEF related to your rights in any of the submitted Trade Secrets.

What do Explorers receive?

• Approximately $50,000 - $250,000 in funding for lab space, office space, equipment, supplies, technical consultants, and staff to achieve pre-determined milestones
• Freedom to work anywhere in the world 
• Ability to remain employed at your current organization
• Access to the Breakthrough Energy network of mentors, policy experts, investors, technologists, and governmental entities
• Access to attend select Breakthrough Energy events

What is the time commitment for an Explorer?

Explorers will work in accordance with their milestones. The Explorer and Breakthrough Energy Fellows program team will collaborate on establishing milestones and timeframes. It is then up to the Explorer to achieve those milestones by agreed upon due dates.

Explorers work with Breakthrough for approximately one year.

Can international applicants apply for an Explorer Grant?

Yes. We seek applications from around the world.

Currently, all communication and curriculum will be in English.

Can I receive an Explorer Grant if I am a professor, a faculty member, or full-time researcher?

Yes. Explorers may retain their professional position while working on their technological innovation.

If selected, do I have to move from my current location?

No, you will not be required to relocate.

How do I know if my technology is too early or too late?

We seek technologies in the Technology Readiness Level from 0 to 2 for Explorers.

Can we apply as a team?

Explorers may receive funding as individuals or teams. You may apply as an individual or a team.

How is the funding structured?

Funding can be used for research and development costs including lab space, office space, equipment, supplies, technical consultants, and personnel. 

What is expected of me if I am selected as an Explorer?

Explorers are expected to meet technological milestones and deadlines agreed upon before the contract start date. Funding requires that recipients contribute to the field by sharing learnings and publishing information regarding the results of their research, independently or in collaboration with the Breakthrough Energy Foundation, to increase the body of knowledge available to the public regarding climate change mitigation technologies. These learnings and publications do not require you to share any proprietary technology.

We expect Explorers to engage and utilize the Breakthrough Energy network to further their technology development. They are expected to participate in selected events and contribute positively and professionally to the Breakthrough Energy ecosystem.

What happens at the end of the Grant period?

While it is not required, we expect that Explorers may be well suited to join the program as full time Innovators at the end of their Explorer period if their technology milestones are successfully accomplished. 

What kinds of innovation will be considered?

Breakthrough Energy is focused on technologies, processes, or materials that have the potential, at scale, to reduce greenhouse gases by at least 500 million tons per year.

Our first three cohorts of Fellows are working on innovations within hydrogen, electrofuels, steel, cement, food and agriculture, energy storage, offshore wind, solar, advanced materials, and carbon dioxide capture, storage, and sequestration.

This year, we are looking for new innovations within those sectors as well as other hard to decarbonize sectors. We also invite high-impact innovations that meet the emissions threshold within other technology categories.

How much funding will I receive?

Explorers receive funding of approximately $50,000-$250,000.

Is there a limit on overhead/indirect costs?

The Breakthrough Energy Foundation limits overhead/indirect costs to 10%.

If I’m selected, when do I begin work?

2024 Explorers will be reviewed and accepted to the program on a rolling basis.