6 Fellowships Offering Up to $500,000 and Career Support in 2026

Some ideas need money to take off. Others need the right people, or simply an opportunity to show their worth. Yet, for many aspiring founders, researchers, and professionals, getting access to these resources can be just as difficult as developing the ideas themselves. 

Currently, several organisations are offering a way around that through fellowships that go beyond conventional funding. From $50,000 in unrestricted support for independent builders to research opportunities at Anthropic, these programmes provide financial backing, mentorship, technical expertise, and access to networks that could help participants take their work further. 

Whether you're looking to turn scientific research into a business or even gain practical experience in an emerging field, here are six fellowships worth exploring, including what they offer, who can apply, and the deadlines to keep in mind. 

1. Breakthrough Energy Fellows (BE Fellows) – Cohort 7 

Scientists, researchers, and entrepreneurs developing technologies that could help tackle climate change can apply for Cohort 7 of the Breakthrough Energy Fellows programme. 

The fellowship supports early-stage innovators working to turn promising scientific discoveries into commercially viable climate technologies, particularly those that may struggle to attract conventional venture capital at an early stage. 

Selected Innovator Fellows receive up to $500,000 in research and development support, alongside hands-on technical guidance, mentorship, and access to a global network of industry experts. 

The programme also connects participants with commercial and technical expertise to help them address challenges around product development, market readiness, and scaling their innovations. 

It is particularly relevant for founders developing breakthrough technologies in areas such as clean energy, manufacturing, transportation, and other sectors critical to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 

• Programme: One-year Innovator Fellowship with up to $500k R&D support and extensive in-kind resources. 
• Focus: Early-stage climate/hard-tech commercialisation. 
• Deadline: 2 November 2026. 

2. Activate Fellowship (U.S. Cohort 2027) 

Science and engineering founders looking to turn their research into commercially viable businesses can apply for Activate's two-year fellowship, which provides more than $300,000 in financial support without taking equity. 

Selected fellows receive a $100,000 annual living stipend, $100,000 in research and development support, and $12,000 annually for travel and professional development. The package also includes health insurance, relocation assistance, mentorship, and entrepreneurial training. 

Beyond the financial support, participants gain access to technical facilities, industry experts, and a community of science-based entrepreneurs working to bring their technologies to market. 

Applicants must have at least a bachelor's degree and four years of relevant research or engineering experience. They should also be commercialising a hardware-based technology for the first time and have raised less than $2 million from non-government sources. 

The programme requires applicants to be legally authorised to work in the United States. 

• Programme: Two-year fellowship offering over $300,000 in support without taking equity. 
• Eligibility: First-time science and engineering founders with relevant technical experience and US work authorisation. 
• Location: United States. 
• Deadline: October 30, 2026. 

3. Basis Fellowship 

The programme provides selected individuals with $50,000 in unrestricted funding without taking equity, requiring a pitch deck, or imposing conventional reporting obligations. Mostly, it is set up for independent builders, engineers, scientists, and entrepreneurs who need financial support to pursue an ambitious idea. 

Unlike startup accelerators, Basis does not require applicants to have an established company or follow a particular commercial development path. Fellows have the freedom to pursue projects they consider important, whether that involves developing new technology, conducting research, or experimenting with an unconventional idea. 

The application takes approximately 10 minutes, and applicants who are not selected for the main fellowship may still be considered for a discretionary $3,000 award. 

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, making it an option for builders who need funding but may not fit the requirements of conventional startup programmes. 

• Programme: $50,000 in unrestricted funding with no equity requirement. 
• Eligibility: Engineers, scientists, operators, entrepreneurs, and independent builders. 
• Application: Approximately 10 minutes. 
• Deadline: Rolling applications. 

4. Palantir Meritocracy Fellowship 

The programme is designed for applicants who have demonstrated independent learning, problem-solving ability, or technical achievement and believe a conventional college experience may not offer the challenges they seek. As a four-month programme, it gives exceptional graduating high school seniors an opportunity to develop their intellectual and technical abilities while gaining practical experience at the software company. 

Fellows begin with five weeks of intensive learning, examining questions around Western civilisation, American institutions, and Palantir's mission. During this period, they also engage with professionals across engineering, product, security, deployment, and operations. 

Participants subsequently join Palantir's development or forward-deployed engineering teams, where they work alongside full-time engineers on real customer problems, build software, and gain practical experience in deployment. 

Strong performance during the fellowship can also create an opportunity to interview for a full-time position at Palantir. 

• Programme: Four-month fellowship combining intellectual development and practical software engineering experience. 
• Eligibility: Exceptional graduating high school seniors with demonstrated technical ability and independent initiative. 
• Location: United States. 
• Application: Rolling.