Call for The 2026 Wilkes Climate Innovation Prize at the University of UTAH is open now!!!
The Wilkes Climate Innovation Prize seeks bold, high-potential solutions that address significant challenges affecting the climate/energy/economy ecosystem and are positioned to make measurable progress toward real-world use.
The Prize is designed to support solutions at a stage where uncertainty remains high, conventional funding or adoption pathways are limited, and targeted support can plausibly influence outcomes. Solutions may be technological, policy-driven, operational, financial, or hybrid.
Applicants may be for-profit or nonprofit organizations, academic teams, public-sector innovators, or mission-driven collaborations from anywhere in the world.
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The Wilkes Climate Innovation Prize evaluates how proposed solutions affect the climate/energy/economy system, either by influencing greenhouse gas emissions or by reducing exposure, vulnerability, or systemic risk associated with climate-related stresses.
Applicants should be prepared to address the following major application components in a clear, realistic, and transparent manner.
Applicants should be prepared to explain what Wilkes Prize support would enable at this stage that is unlikely to happen otherwise. This may include credibility, validation, pilot funding, connection to partners, or timing-specific opportunities.
Applicants are also encouraged (but not required) to describe an early warning signal—what would cause them to conclude within 6–18 months that the approach is not viable.
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The Wilkes Climate Innovation Prize exists to ensure that promising climate-system solutions do not fail at the moment they matter most. Too many impactful solutions fail in early stages—not because of lack of merit, but because the ecosystem fails to support them when risk is high and credibility and capital are scarce.
They encourage applicants to apply who can engage openly about the promise of their solution while also recognizing uncertainty, risk, execution challenges, and real-world constraints.
Your pitch should by typed directly into the form on the application portal. Many applicants find it easiest to type their proposal in a word document and copy/past into the form. Other than a 15% cap on overhead (including indirect or F&A costs), there are no other restrictions on the use of the funds. The Wilkes Center will accept applications through the February 28th deadline. Applicants who will move on to round 2 will be notified in March.
Benefits
- Financial Support: One Grand Prize award of $250,000 USD in non-dilutive funding to support validation, pilots, or readiness for scale
- Visibility & Recognition:
- Recognition at the Wilkes Climate Summit and associated events
- Inclusion in Wilkes Center communications and press outreach
- Institutional credibility associated with a leading research university
- Targeted Support & Connection
- Curated introductions to potential funders, partners, and advisors
- Opportunities to participate in convenings, roundtables, or networking events associated with the Prize
- Participation in the Wilkes Prize alumni community
Eligibilities
- Organizations at all stages, both for-profits and nonprofits, anywhere in the world are eligible to submit ideas to be considered for the Wilkes Climate Launch Prize.
- This includes seed, pre-seed, venture-funded, publicly traded stage companies, or nonprofits.
Application Process
For application go through the apply link.
Application Deadline: February 28, 2026 (17 Days Remaining)
Apply nowOfficial link
