CFAs: Activate Fellowship for Hard-Tech Leaders (United States)

Deadline: 30-Oct-2026

The Activate Fellowship Program supports first-time founders in the United States who are leading the commercial development of hardware-based technology innovations. Fellows receive a comprehensive support package that includes a $100,000 annual living stipend, $100,000 in research and development support, $12,000 annually for travel and professional development, a health insurance stipend, and a relocation allowance, along with mentorship, founder education, and access to a strong network of peers and industry leaders. 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. The Activate Fellowship provides more than financial assistance.

Fellows can receive:

This combination is intended to help researchers develop both their technology and the entrepreneurial skills required to commercialise it. Applicants must meet specific academic, professional, entrepreneurial, and work-authorization requirements.

Eligible candidates must:

The fellowship focuses on hardware-based technology innovations connected to scientific and engineering disciplines.

Eligible projects must:

The program is therefore intended for technologies that are moving toward commercialisation but have not yet reached full-scale product sales. Applicants must be leading the commercial development of a hardware-based technology innovation for the first time. The fellowship is designed for researchers and technology developers who are transitioning into entrepreneurship and commercial venture building rather than applicants with established experience leading the commercial development of previous hardware technology ventures. Applicants must meet a funding-stage requirement. At the time of application, the proposed project or company must not have raised more than $2 million in debt or equity funding from non-governmental sources. This requirement helps position the fellowship toward technologies that are still in an early stage of commercial development. The program is particularly relevant to professionals transitioning from scientific or engineering research into entrepreneurship.

Potential applicants may include:

Selected fellows must be committed to working full-time on their proposed project or company. Applicants should therefore be prepared to dedicate their professional effort to advancing the technology and its commercial development throughout the fellowship. The fellowship aims to help first-time founders overcome the challenges involved in moving science and engineering innovations from research and development toward commercialisation.

Support can help founders:

Applicants should clearly explain both the scientific or engineering foundation of their technology and its commercial potential.

Before applying, candidates should:

The Activate Fellowship Program supports first-time founders developing hardware-based technology innovations and moving them toward commercialisation. The fixed financial components include a $100,000 annual living stipend, $100,000 in annual research and development support, and $12,000 annually for travel and professional development. Health insurance and relocation support are also provided. The stated living, research and development, and travel/professional development components total $212,000 per year, excluding the additional health insurance stipend and relocation allowance. Applicants must have at least a bachelor’s degree, four years of post-baccalaureate experience in scientific research, engineering, or technology development, and must be leading the commercial development of a hardware-based innovation for the first time. Yes. Candidates must be leading the commercial development of a hardware-based technology innovation for the first time. The project must still be in development and not yet ready for full-scale product sales. Projects must be based in the physical sciences, biological sciences, or related engineering disciplines. Yes. Fellows must be committed to working full-time on their proposed project or company. Yes. Applicants must be legally able to work in the United States for the duration of the fellowship. At the time of application, the project or company must not have raised more than $2 million in debt or equity funding from non-governmental sources. Yes. Fellows receive regular mentorship, quarterly advisory meetings, tailored education, and access to peers and industry leaders. The program is particularly designed for scientist-turned-founders, but eligible applicants can also come from engineering and related technology-development backgrounds, provided they meet the program requirements. The Activate Fellowship Program provides substantial financial and entrepreneurial support to first-time founders developing hardware-based innovations in the United States. With $212,000 per year in stated living, R&D, and travel/professional-development support, plus health insurance and relocation assistance, mentorship, education, and advisory support, the fellowship is designed to help science and engineering researchers move promising technologies from development toward commercialisation. For more information, visit Activate.