Chain Reaction Innovations (CRI) Cohort 2027 is a two-year fellowship program at Argonne National Laboratory designed to help first-time technical founders develop and commercialize breakthrough science and energy technologies. Supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, the program provides selected innovators with an annual stipend of US$115,000, healthcare benefits, non-dilutive research funding, access to advanced laboratory facilities, and mentorship from technical and business experts.
Application Timeline and Submission
- Application opening date: 15 September 2026.
- Application deadline: 30 October 2026, 23:00 GMT+1 (5:00 PM Central Daylight Time).
- Submission portal: Applications must be submitted through ProposalSpace.
- Submission requirements: Only online applications are accepted. Emailed PDF applications will not be reviewed.
- Semifinalist selection: Selected semifinalists will participate in virtual presentations in January 2027.
- Finalist pitch dates: 10–11 March 2027 at Argonne National Laboratory.
- Selection notification: Successful applicants will be notified in spring 2027.
- Program start date: 1 October 2027.
Eligibility and Structural Criteria
- Citizenship or residency: Applicants must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents at the time of application.
- R&D experience: Applicants must have at least five years of research and development experience or equivalent technical expertise.
- Founder profile: Applicants must be first-time technical founders developing early-stage technological innovations.
- Private funding cap: Applicants must not have raised more than US$2 million in private-sector funding at the time of application.
- Company incorporation: Applicants are not required to have an incorporated company when applying. However, existing affiliated startups must be incorporated in the United States.
- Corporate structure: Selected innovators must establish or belong to a business structured as a C corporation rather than an LLC.
- Technology alignment: Proposed innovations must support U.S. Department of Energy priorities and align with Argonne National Laboratory's technical capabilities.
- Development stage: Technologies should address complex scientific challenges and require substantial R&D to reach the pre-commercial prototype stage.
Required Commitments and Approvals
- Chicago-area residency: Selected innovators must live in or relocate to the Chicago metropolitan area to participate on-site at Argonne National Laboratory.
- Program commitment: Participants must commit fully to the program, including laboratory research, technology development, and business-building activities.
- Research agreements: Selected innovators must complete a non-negotiable Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with Argonne.
- Intellectual property requirements: Participants must develop an IP Management Plan, subject to U.S. Department of Energy review and approval.
- Conflict-of-interest review: Applicants must complete the required due diligence and comply with Argonne's contractual requirements.
- Site-access approvals: Applicants must satisfy applicable laboratory security and access requirements. Non-U.S. citizens, including lawful permanent residents, are subject to additional approval procedures.
- Approval deadline: Applicants requiring Foreign National Access Program approval must obtain it at least one week before their scheduled finalist pitch.
- Business mentorship: Selected innovators must engage a qualified business mentor as part of their participation.
Additional Program Benefits
- Financial support: An annual stipend of US$115,000 for two years, together with healthcare benefits and non-dilutive funding for technology development.
- Research infrastructure: Access to Argonne's specialized equipment, laboratories, facilities, and scientific expertise.
- Technical mentorship: Collaboration with Argonne researchers to advance technology development and commercialization readiness.
- Business development: Opportunities to connect with investors, mentors, corporate partners, and business experts.
- Equity policy: Neither Argonne National Laboratory nor the U.S. Department of Energy takes an equity stake in participating startups.
Chain Reaction Innovations Cohort 2027 provides eligible technical founders with research infrastructure, financial support, and business mentorship to advance early-stage technologies toward commercialization. Prospective applicants should carefully review the citizenship, R&D experience, founder status, funding, incorporation, relocation, and participation requirements before submitting their applications. Applications must be completed through the designated online portal by 30 October 2026, with finalist pitches scheduled for March 2027 and the fellowship expected to begin on 1 October 2027.