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What is the Compute for Climate Fellowship?

The Compute for Climate Fellowship is a global R&D funding program that empowers climate tech startups to leverage advanced cloud computing and AI in the fight against climate change. The Fellowship was founded in 2023 by the International Research Centre on Artificial Intelligence (IRCAI), under the auspices of UNESCO, and Amazon Web Services (AWS). Each Fellow company accepted into the program builds a groundbreaking proof-of-concept (PoC) climate solution that is funded by AWS, with technical and scientific advisors from AWS and IRCAI.

Program Features and Benefits

• Grants in the form of AWS credits to cover the cloud computing costs of the PoC (up to $200k per startup)
• Three month PoC build period with personalized technical support and mentorship
• Access to advanced computing services, like quantum computing, HPC, and generative AI tools
• Expert guidance in advanced computing, AI, sustainability, and ethics from IRCAI and AWS mentors
• Media and visibility via speaking opportunities and PR (on a case by case basis)
• Showcase of results across United Nations and international bodies
   

Winners will “think big” and demonstrate innovation, leverage advanced cloud computing, and show potential for significant global impact across at least one of the nine climate solution areas:

1. Clean Energy
2. Low-Carbon Transportation
3. Sustainable Agriculture and Food
4. Circular Economy and Industry
5. Sustainable Buildings
6. Greenhouse Gas Management
7. Carbon Removal
8. Environment and Climate Risk
9. Indigenous Solutions to the Climate Crisis

New Ninth Climate Solution: Indigenous Solutions to the Climate Crisis

In addition to the eight solution areas above, the Compute for Climate Fellowship is also seeking proposals for tech-enabled climate solutions that are built by, with, and/or for Indigenous Communities. The Fellowship recognizes that Indigenous People are important leaders in addressing the climate crisis. These communities around the world are both widely impacted by climate change, and at the same time have traditional knowledge, innovations, and practices that offer powerful solutions to the climate crisis and biodiversity loss. The Fellowship is eager to support Indigenous innovators and indigenous solutions to the climate crisis and is putting out a call for proposals.

More background about the call here.

Who Should Apply?

Your company is privately held and was founded within the last 10 years.

You have a technical team capable of building with advanced cloud computing.

Your proposal incorporates innovative use of advanced cloud computing services such as:

• AI/ML and Generative AI
• High-Performance Computing
• Autonomous Computing
• Spatial Computing
• Simulation Technologies
• Quantum Computing
• Time series data analytics

2025 Fellowship Process and Timeline

• March 4th- April 6th Applications open
• April – June Application review and interviews with finalists
• June 6th Winners announced
• June – August Match winners with experts. Plan and scope PoCs.
• September – November Build PoCs

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can I contact with questions?
Please reach out to info@ircai.org with the subject “IRCAI AWS Fellowship”

I applied to the Fellowship before but wasn’t selected. Am I eligible?
Yes, please submit a new application and you will be considered for the next program.

What happens if I’m not selected for the Fellowship?
Startups that aren’t selected can apply for $5k in AWS Credits. Eligibility criteria includes: 1) Have not previously received AWS Activate credits of equal or greater value, 2) Self-funded or pre-Series B (most recent funding round must be within the last 12 months, if applicable), 3) Have a fully-functioning company website, and 4) Founded in the past 10 years. All AWS Activate credits are in USD and subject to the AWS Promotional Credit Terms & Conditions.

Will AWS build the PoC with my team?
Selected startups will be responsible for building the PoC. IRCAI scientific mentors and AWS technical expert mentors will advise on the design of the PoC, but will not build it. The startups will own IP resulting from the PoC.

Who can apply?
Private climate tech companies formed within the last 10 years, from any country.

How long is the PoC build phase?
2-3 months of development time.

Who owns the IP?
Startups retain ownership of all IP resulting from the POC.