Chain Reaction Innovations
Climate & Energy · Run by Argonne National Laboratory (DOE LEEP node) · Lemont, IL
Every field is checked against a primary source where we can. How we verify.
The facts
All fields verified Oct 1, 2026- Terms model
- Non-dilutiveGives money that does not take equity: grants, prizes, or credits. Your ownership is untouched.
- Investment
- $115,000/year stipend for two years plus healthcare benefits
- Equity taken
- Not publishedApply page states: 'Stipend of $115k per year for two years plus healthcare benefits' and 'Neither Argonne nor DOE take an equity stake in the startup.' Cohort 2027 applications opened September 15 and close at 5 p.m. CT on October 30, 2026. After application review and virtual semifinalist presentations in January, an invitational pitch event for finalists is held March 10 to 11, 2027 at Argonne; successful applicants are notified in spring 2027 and expected to start at Argonne on October 1, 2027. US citizenship or lawful permanent residency required at time of application.
- Program length
- 104 weeks
- Format
- In person
- Location
- Lemont, IL
- Cohorts per year
- 1
- Cohort size
- 4 to 6 innovators
- Stage focus
- pre-company / first-time science founders
- Sub-vertical
- energy and science hard tech
- Demographic focus
- Not published
- Backers
- U.S. Department of Energy (EERE / LEEP), Argonne National Laboratory
- Notable alumni
- Rivalia Chemical, memQ
Terms notes: Apply page states: 'Stipend of $115k per year for two years plus healthcare benefits' and 'Neither Argonne nor DOE take an equity stake in the startup.' Cohort 2027 applications opened September 15 and close at 5 p.m. CT on October 30, 2026. After application review and virtual semifinalist presentations in January, an invitational pitch event for finalists is held March 10 to 11, 2027 at Argonne; successful applicants are notified in spring 2027 and expected to start at Argonne on October 1, 2027. US citizenship or lawful permanent residency required at time of application.
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Terms in plain English
Chain Reaction Innovations is a two-year entrepreneurship fellowship embedded at Argonne National Laboratory that funds founders to build their companies full time. Fellows receive a stipend of $115,000 per year for two years plus healthcare benefits, along with access to Argonne's technical experts, facilities, and capabilities. Neither Argonne nor the Department of Energy takes an equity stake. The program is in person at the lab in Lemont, IL, and applicants must be US citizens or lawful permanent residents at the time of application.
Who this is actually for
Pre-company or first-time science founders building energy and hard-science technologies that need national-lab-grade R&D resources to de-risk. Open only to US citizens and lawful permanent residents who can be based at Argonne, outside Chicago, for the two-year fellowship.
Chain Reaction Innovations application deadlines
Cohort 2027: Opens Sep 15, 2026, closes Oct 30, 2026.
Verified Oct 1, 2026Source
Frequently asked questions
- When is the next Chain Reaction Innovations application deadline?
- The next confirmed application window for Chain Reaction Innovations closes Oct 30, 2026.
- How much does Chain Reaction Innovations invest?
- Chain Reaction Innovations lists an investment of $115,000/year stipend for two years plus healthcare benefits.
- How much equity does Chain Reaction Innovations take?
- Chain Reaction Innovations does not publish the equity it takes, so we record it as not published.
- Where is Chain Reaction Innovations located and is it in person?
- Chain Reaction Innovations is based in Lemont, IL and runs an in person program.
- Is Chain Reaction Innovations still active?
- As of our last check on Oct 1, 2026, Chain Reaction Innovations is active.
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Sources
Everything above was checked against these, verified Oct 1, 2026.