Fellowship · Lemont, Illinois, United States

Chain Reaction Innovations

A two-year fellowship at Argonne National Laboratory for technical founders building energy and science startups. Four to six fellows a year get a US$115,000 yearly stipend, non-dilutive R&D funding and lab access.

Open · closes 30 Oct 2026 Run by Argonne National Laboratory, for the U.S. Department of Energy Lab-Embedded Entrepreneurship Program

Verified 19 October 2026 · From the programme's own pages

Terms

Funding
US$115,000 Stipend of US$115,000 a year for two years plus healthcare benefits, and non-dilutive funding to de-risk the technology
Instrument
Grant
Equity taken
None (equity-free) Neither the Department of Energy, Argonne nor its staff take equity in CRI startups
Programme fee
not published
Duration
not published
Cohort size
not published
Cohorts
not published
Delivery
In person
Stages
not published
Sectors
Energy, Deep tech
Open to founders from
United States
Perks
  • Access to Argonne experts, facilities and capabilities

Semifinalists present online in January 2027 and finalists pitch at Argonne on 10-11 March 2027. Fellows are told in spring 2027 and start at Argonne on 1 October 2027.

Application dates

Open · closes 30 Oct 2026Cohort 2027

Cohort 2027: applications opened 15 September 2026 and close 30 October 2026.

Who can apply

  • US citizen or lawful permanent resident when applying
  • Technical founder with hands-on laboratory experience developing an early-stage technology
  • Technology in energy or science that can use Argonne's capabilities

What founders should check

  1. The programme says it takes no equity. Still read the agreement for warrants, revenue shares or rights in a later round.
  2. It does not publish a fee. Ask whether you pay for desks, services or the programme itself.
  3. It runs in person in Lemont. Plan to be there for the length of the programme.
  4. Applications are open until 30 October 2026. That is less than a month away, so start the form now.

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