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 Region

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.

Target Sector

Energy & Utilities, Manufacturing, Transportation & Logistics, Other