The New York Climate Exchange Opens Applications for 2026 Climate Tech Fellowship

The New York Climate Exchange has opened applications for the 2026 Climate Tech Fellowship, a six-month pre-accelerator program designed to help early-stage climate innovators advance breakthrough technologies from lab to market.

Applications for this year's fellowship will be accepted until August 1, 2026, and will be reviewed on a rolling basis. All fellows will receive a $10,000 non-dilutive stipend per team, along with tailored guidance.

The Fellowship, supported by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) will build on the success of the inaugural 2025 cohort, which drew nearly 100 applications from innovators across The Exchange's university partner network.

"As an engineering professor working on climate technologies for the energy transition, I am incredibly grateful to have been selected as a Climate Tech Fellow," said Stephanie Taboada, 2025 Climate Tech Fellow and PhD in chemical engineering from Stony Brook University.

"I was able to network with stakeholders, founders, and investors. Connecting with leaders from Activate, BAT, and Newlab, and exchanging ideas with other fellows, made the experience both insightful and inspiring."

This year's focus is on energy and urban resilience. The program will support innovators developing technologies that help cities prepare for, respond to, and adapt to the impacts of climate change across areas including power generation and storage, grid modernization, intelligent buildings, carbon-mitigating solutions, and green infrastructure.

"Without the right support system, many promising early-stage concepts will never see the light of day even though they represent potential breakthroughs to advance energy systems for a more resilient urban future," said Shaina Horowitz, director of program innovation and acceleration at The Exchange.

"That's why we are so thrilled the Climate Tech Fellowship can support promising innovators to advance their solutions towards real-world impact."

NYSERDA supports the 2026 Climate Tech Fellowship through its Innovation Partnerships program, which facilitates project teaming, attracts investment and strengthens the energy innovation ecosystem in New York State.

NYSERDA Associate Director of Innovation Partnerships Richard Bourgeois said, "NYSERDA's support for the 2026 Climate Tech Fellowship highlights how we connect researchers to available resources that can help them to advance emerging clean energy technologies in New York State. Strategic partnerships contribute to a strong innovation ecosystem that sets products on a path to commercialization and creates the space for New Yorkers to benefit from new sustainable solutions, economic growth, and energy affordability."

The 2026 Fellowship is open to innovators worldwide at the prototype, pilot or early commercialization stage - affiliation with Exchange university or corporate partners is not required. Innovators from underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Over six months, selected fellows will participate in a hybrid experience that combines expert-led commercialization and venture-building curriculum, dedicated mentorship, funding support, and access to a global network of investors and strategic partners.

• Fellows will come together in person during Climate Week NYC in September to take part in the world's largest annual climate gathering.
• Lessons on fundraising and climate equity will be provided by Hazelwood Network, go-to-market strategy will be led by First Matter, and the Energy and Climate team at Foley Hoag will provide insights on intellectual property and company formation.