Climate and Sustainability
Translational Fund
Propelling Climate and Sustainability-Related Innovations
Co-sponsored by Harvard’s Office of Technology Development and the Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability at Harvard, the Climate and Sustainability Translational Fund provides essential gap funding for Harvard innovations focused on climate and sustainability to develop towards startup formation. In addition to funding, awardees will benefit from mentoring and guidance towards startup formation, creating the next generation of solutions to ensure a cleaner and healthier future. Could your research benefit? Contact Us
- Financial Support: Fueling translational research and the development of technologies.
- Startup Experience: Helping faculty investigators successfully navigate the transition of their technologies from the academic lab to commercial impact.
- Pathways to Partnership: Generating opportunities for licensing, startup formation, investment, and other commercialization avenues for novel technologies.
2026 Climate and Sustainability Translational Fund Awards
The 2026 Climate and Sustainability Translational Fund Awards will provide up to $100,000 in funding per project. The request for proposals is currently open.
Principal Investigators whose employer is Harvard University are eligible to apply, and projects that are aimed at extending preliminary results, establishing proof-of-concept, scaling-up a product or process, and enhancing (or generating) intellectual property positions are welcomed.
Important Dates for 2026 Climate and Sustainability Translational Fund Awards
- September 11, 2026 | Request for Proposal open
- October 9, 2026 | Deadline to submit proposals
- November 20, 2026 | Finalists notified
- December 2026 | Advisory Committee meets to review finalists' presentations
Request for proposals
The Request for Proposals for the 2026 Climate and Sustainability Translational Fund is currently open. The deadline to submit proposals is October 9, 2026. Learn More
New technologies are needed to solve climate and sustainability challenges. Support from the Climate and Accelerator Translational Fund has allowed my research group to develop those technologies and commercialize them.
2024 Fund Awardees
Finding Climate and Sustainability Solutions
In 2024, Harvard Office for Technology Development and the Salata Institute announced the fund’s first awardees, supporting four research projects that offer solutions to global climate and sustainability challenges.
Bacteria Strains to Improve Carbon Capture and Storage
The technology may provide a natural, scalable solution to accelerate CO2 sequestration for long-term storage harnessing rock weathering using bacteria.
Photonic materials for sustainable packaging
Maintain the protective properties of plastic packaging while retaining recyclability.
Electrified hydrogen peroxide production and advanced green oxidation
Converting air, water, and electricity into hydrogen peroxide, with water as the only byproduct to producing ‘green’ hydrogen peroxide.
Bionic Leaf-C at manufacturing scale-up
A hybrid inorganic-biological system that only requires sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide from the air to produce hydrocarbons to create an alternative to fossil-based jet fuel.
Finding Climate and Sustainability Solutions
In 2024, Harvard Office for Technology Development and the Salata Institute announced the fund’s first awardees, supporting four research projects that offer solutions to global climate and sustainability challenges.
Bacteria Strains to Improve Carbon Capture and Storage
The technology may provide a natural, scalable solution to accelerate CO2 sequestration for long-term storage harnessing rock weathering using bacteria.
Photonic materials for sustainable packaging
Maintain the protective properties of plastic packaging while retaining recyclability.
Electrified hydrogen peroxide production and advanced green oxidation
Converting air, water, and electricity into hydrogen peroxide, with water as the only byproduct to producing ‘green’ hydrogen peroxide.
Bionic Leaf-C at manufacturing scale-up
A hybrid inorganic-biological system that only requires sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide from the air to produce hydrocarbons to create an alternative to fossil-based jet fuel.
About the Fund
The Climate and Sustainability Translational Fund Awards will fund up to $100,000 per project. Principal Investigators whose employer is Harvard University are eligible to apply, and projects are welcomed in any area of applied sciences, physical sciences, environmental sciences, computer sciences, or engineering with a focus on climate and sustainability solutions. Contact us if you’re interested in applying for the next request for proposals.
Connect with Us
Could your research benefit from the Climate and Sustainability Translational fund?