Chain Reaction Innovations (CRI), the Lab-Embedded Entrepreneurship Program (LEEP) at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory, has announced the commencement of the application process for its eighth cohort of innovators. The program is dedicated to supporting innovators in the field of clean energy and climate technologies.
CRI offers a unique opportunity for early-stage innovators by embedding them at Argonne National Laboratory. Participants in the program receive a fellowship that includes a salary, benefits, funds for research, and a travel stipend, all aimed at helping them commercialize their groundbreaking technologies.
Application Deadline and Preferred Technology Areas
The application period for Cohort 8 is open until 5 p.m. CT on November 30, 2023, with selected participants commencing their work at Argonne in the summer of 2024. Individuals interested in developing technology in the following preferred areas are encouraged to apply:
Advanced materials
Improving manufacturing efficiency
Industrial decarbonization
Lowering building carbon and energy footprints
Solar energy
Quantum computing
Energy storage – electric grid
Circularity (re-X pathways; circular economy)
Food, water, energy nexus
Carbon dioxide removal (CDR)
Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS)
Inclusivity and Support
CRI prides itself on fostering a culture of inclusive innovation, emphasizing the strength of diverse perspectives, fresh ideas, and valuable insights from its innovators. The program aims to equip startups with a strong foundation in business knowledge, enabling them to thrive in the entrepreneurial landscape.
Informational Webinars and Office Hours
For those interested in learning more about the program, CRI will host informational webinars in November. Applicants can also join Zoom drop-in office hours to have their questions answered. Webinar and office hours details are as follows:
Webinars:
Wednesday, Nov. 8, 11:30 a.m. CT
Tuesday, Nov. 28, 4 p.m. CT
Zoom Drop-in Office Hours:
Every Friday from 2-3 p.m. CT through Friday, Nov. 17
Cohort 8 Fellowships
Participants in Cohort 8 will benefit from a two-year fellowship, including a generous $115,000 per year stipend, a $12,000-per-year travel allowance, and health-care benefits. The program provides funding to de-risk technological innovations and offers access to the technical experts, facilities, and unique capabilities at Argonne National Laboratory. Additionally, participants gain networking access to business experts, investors, mentors, and corporate partners. It’s important to note that neither the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) nor Argonne takes an equity stake in the startups.
In an ever-evolving world, CRI stands as a bridge between science and innovation, powered by the resources of a DOE national laboratory, offering an exclusive ecosystem in Chicago to support transformative ideas for a sustainable future.
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