Chain Reaction Innovations (CRI) Cohort 2027

About

A two-year, non-dilutive fellowship at Argonne National Laboratory that gives early-stage energy and science innovators funding, laboratory access, and business mentorship to commercialize deep-tech technologies.

Benefits

• 💰Annual stipend
  Selected innovators receive a $115,000 annual stipend for two years
• 🩺Healthcare benefits
  Selected fellows receive healthcare benefits
• ✈️ Travel allowance
  Fellows receive a yearly travel allowance
• 🔬Argonne facilities and experts
  Access to Argonne laboratory equipment, facilities, scientists, and technical experts
• 🧑‍💼 Business mentorship
  Assistance developing business strategies, conducting market research, and connecting with mentors, investors, and commercial partners
• 🏢Laboratory and office space
  Dedicated laboratory and office space at Argonne
• 📈No equity
  Neither Argonne nor DOE takes an equity stake in participating startups

Eligibility Criteria

• Mandatory: applicants must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent U.S. residents at the time of application
• Mandatory: applicants must be creating a U.S.-based startup focused on energy, science, or advanced manufacturing technology
• Expected: the technology should align with DOE and Argonne capabilities and involve complex scientific challenges requiring about two years of R&D to reach a pre-commercial prototype
• Preferred: technical founders with hands-on laboratory experience

Participation Commitments

• Cohort 2027 applications open on 15 September 2026 and close on 30 October 2026 at 5:00 p.m. CT
• Selected fellows participate in a two-year fellowship embedded at Argonne National Laboratory
• If offered a fellowship, participants must move to the Chicago area to facilitate work at Argonne
• Neither Argonne nor DOE takes an equity stake in participating startups

Target Sector

Energy & Utilities, Manufacturing, Transportation & Logistics, Other

Target Location

Applicants must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent U.S. residents at the time of application and must be creating a U.S.-based startup; selected fellows must relocate to the Chicago area to work at Argonne National Laboratory in Lemont, Illinois.