Wilkes Climate Innovation Prize 2026

The University of Utah is currently accepting applications for the Wilkes Climate Innovation Prize 2026. This prize aims to support bold, high-potential solutions addressing significant challenges in the climate, energy, and economy ecosystem.

📝 About Wilkes Climate Innovation Prize

The Wilkes Climate Innovation Prize seeks solutions that:

• Address significant challenges in the climate/energy/economy ecosystem.
• Are positioned to make measurable progress toward real-world use.
• Are 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
• Hybrid

🎁 Benefits of Wilkes Climate Innovation Prize

• Grand Prize: $250,000 USD in non-dilutive funding to support validation, pilots, or readiness for scale.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

Who is Eligible to Apply?

Organizations at all stages, both for-profits and nonprofits, anywhere in the world are eligible to submit ideas. This includes:

• Seed stage
• Pre-seed stage
• Venture-funded stage
• Publicly traded companies
• Nonprofits

Who Should Apply?

You should consider applying if:

• You are working on a solution with a clear real-world application, not just a theoretical concept.
• Your solution addresses a material climate-system challenge, not a marginal improvement.
• You can articulate what needs to happen next and what currently stands in the way.
• Support at this stage could meaningfully change your trajectory.

Organizations at all stages may apply, from early concept through growth, provided the solution is at a stage where catalytic support is relevant.

📅 Application Date and Process

• Deadline: 28 February, 2026
• Application Portal: Wilkes Climate Innovation Prize Details
• Apply Here: Prize Application

For more information, visit the official website of the Wilkes Climate Innovation Prize.

• One Grand Prize award of $250,000 USD in non-dilutive funding to support validation, pilots, or readiness for scale.