Application Guide
How to Apply for The Activate Fellowship, US Cohort
at Activate
🏢 About Activate
Activate is a nonprofit fellowship that transforms scientist-founders into hard-tech entrepreneurs, focusing on breakthrough innovations in physical and biological sciences. Unlike traditional accelerators, Activate provides a two-year runway with $100K annual living stipend, $100K R&D support, and tailored entrepreneurship education. Fellows join a tight-knit community across five U.S. locations, gaining mentorship from industry experts and access to a network of investors and partners.
About This Role
As an Activate Fellow, you will lead the technical de-risking and commercial development of your own hard-tech innovation, moving it from proof-of-concept to market-ready. You will receive intensive entrepreneurship training, including weekly coursework in year one, and participate in bi-weekly community programming, quarterly advisory board meetings, and annual retreats. This fellowship is ideal for scientist-founders who need financial support, mentorship, and a structured environment to commercialize their research.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve working on technical de-risking experiments in the lab, attending a weekly entrepreneurship class, and meeting with your mentor or advisory board. You might also participate in bi-weekly community programming, collaborate with other fellows, and prepare for quarterly reviews. The fellowship is intense but rewarding, with a focus on accelerating your innovation's path to market.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Activate Is Looking For
- Holds a bachelor's degree in a physical or biological science or engineering field, with at least 4 years of post-degree research or engineering experience.
- Has a hardware or physics-based innovation with a working proof-of-concept or prototype, and is committed to full-time commercialization.
- Demonstrates a strong desire to learn entrepreneurship and build a scalable business, not just pursue academic research.
- Is pre-revenue and has raised less than $2M in non-governmental funding for the project, and is ready to relocate or work from one of Activate's five U.S. locations.
📝 Tips for Applying to Activate
Clearly articulate the technical and commercial potential of your innovation in the application, emphasizing how it addresses a global challenge.
Highlight your 4+ years of post-degree research experience and any prior entrepreneurial or leadership roles that demonstrate your ability to lead a project.
Explain why you need the Activate Fellowship specifically—mention the two-year duration, financial support, and community as key factors.
Provide evidence of your project's proof-of-concept or prototype, including any data, publications, or patents that validate its feasibility.
Demonstrate your full-time commitment by detailing how you plan to transition from your current role and dedicate yourself to the fellowship.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
In your cover letter, emphasize: (1) your scientific and technical qualifications, including your degree and 4+ years of research experience, (2) the novelty and potential impact of your hard-tech innovation, (3) your motivation to become an entrepreneur and how Activate's resources will accelerate your path, and (4) your alignment with Activate's mission to address global challenges through science.
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Explore Activate's website to understand the fellowship structure, including the $100K stipend, $100K R&D support, and weekly coursework.
- → Research current and past Activate Fellows and their projects to see the types of innovations supported and the outcomes achieved.
- → Learn about Activate's five U.S. locations and the resources available at each, to determine which location best fits your project.
- → Investigate Activate's partners and mentors to understand the network you would gain access to during the fellowship.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying with a project that is already generating revenue or has raised more than $2M in non-governmental funding, as this violates eligibility criteria.
- Submitting a proposal that is purely academic and lacks a clear path to commercialization or a working prototype.
- Failing to demonstrate full-time commitment or treating the fellowship as a side project while maintaining other employment.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!