West Gate Cohort 6

West Gate Cohort 6 is a two year lab embedded fellowship at the National Laboratory of the Rockies. Selected innovators work with NLR scientists on a technology they want to turn into a U.S. startup. Up to five people are selected.

The fellowship pays an annual stipend of $115,000 to the individual, quarterly, for up to two years. Relocation, health insurance, and travel stipends may be available for qualifying people. A separate $150,000 over two years pays for technical work at NLR. That amount is not paid to the innovator or the company. The U.S. Department of Energy supports the program and does not take equity.

You apply as an individual, one person per company. You must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident and able to work in the United States for the full two years. You need a technical degree and at least four years of research, engineering, or technology development after that degree. You must be willing to move to Golden or the greater Denver area. The technology should be at least proof of concept, and it should fit NLR research in areas such as energy production, storage, manufacturing, or computing. Raised funding from nongovernment sources in the prior three years cannot be more than $2 million. The program is for novice founders, not people who have already launched startups. A company is not required to apply. If you are selected, you incorporate a U.S. company and sign a cooperative research agreement with NLR.

Submit the Cohort 6 application by 11:59 p.m. MT on Friday, October 30. Questions go to westgate@nrel.gov.