Applications are open for the Activate Fellowship US Cohort 2027, a programme for first-time hard-tech founders who are turning scientific research into products. Fellows receive a US$100,000 living stipend per year, US$100,000 in R&D support, US$12,000 a year for travel and professional development, plus mentoring and entrepreneurship training.
Deadline: 30 October 2026, 12 pm Pacific Time. Applicants must be legally able to work in the United States for the whole fellowship.
About the Activate Fellowship
Activate supports scientists and engineers as they take hard-tech innovations from the lab to market. It focuses on technologies based in the physical or biological sciences that could make a significant difference in the world, not just incremental improvements.
Benefits
- US$100,000 living stipend per year
- US$100,000 in R&D support
- US$12,000 per year for travel and professional development
- A health insurance stipend and a relocation allowance
- A weekly Elements of Entrepreneurship course in your first quarter
- Regular one-to-one mentoring with your community’s Managing Director, and quarterly advisory meetings
- Community programming every two weeks, plus annual retreats and reunions
Who Can Apply?
Fellow eligibility:
- A bachelor’s degree and 4+ years of post-degree scientific research, engineering or technology-development experience
- Leading the commercial development of a hardware-based technology for the first time, so not a repeat hard-tech founder
- Committed full-time to the project if selected
- Legally able to work in the US for the duration of the fellowship
- Proficient in English
Project eligibility:
- Based in the physical or biological sciences or related engineering
- Still in development, and not ready for full-scale product sales
- Has raised no more than US$2 million in debt or equity from non-government sources
Activate does not currently support projects that only have healthcare applications, or innovations that need FDA approval or follow a pharmaceutical pathway. Life-science projects whose main market is outside healthcare, such as industrial biotechnology, biomanufacturing, food or agriculture, are welcome. Many fellows have PhDs or postdocs, but industry R&D experience is also accepted. Your company does not need to be incorporated yet.
How to Apply
- Read the official Activate Fellowship application guide.
- Click “Apply for U.S. Cohort 2027” and complete the interest form. You will receive the link to start your application.
- Submit by 30 October 2026, 12 pm PT.
More Fellowships and Funding for Tech Founders
- Anthropic STEM & Conceptual Reasoning Fellowships 2027 (closes 28 October 2026)
- Y Combinator Winter 2027: Get US$500,000 for Your Startup (closes 2 November 2026)
- 12 Tech and AI Funding Opportunities Open Now (October 2026)
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need US work authorisation?
Yes. You must be legally able to work in the United States for the whole fellowship.
Do I need a PhD?
No. You need a bachelor’s degree and at least four years of post-degree research, engineering or technology-development experience.
Can software startups apply?
No. Activate is for hardware-based innovations in the physical or biological sciences.
When is the deadline?
30 October 2026, 12 pm Pacific Time.
