The race against climate change just gained a powerful boost as Amazon Web Services (AWS) and the International Research Centre on Artificial Intelligence (IRCAI), under the auspices of UNESCO, have announced the launch of applications for the 2025 Compute for Climate Fellowship, an expanded global initiative designed to ignite groundbreaking solutions leveraging the power of advanced cloud computing and artificial intelligence.
This year, the program is scaling up dramatically, offering full funding and expert mentorship to 20 visionary startups – a significant leap from the eight selected in 2024 and the initial four in 2023. The mission remains clear: to empower innovators to build tangible proof-of-concepts (POCs) that tackle the planet’s most pressing climate challenges.
“We’ve witnessed the transformative power of connecting cutting-edge technology with passionate problem-solvers,” said Davor Orlic, Chief Operating Officer of IRCAI. “By expanding the Compute for Climate Fellowship, we’re not just increasing numbers, we’re amplifying impact. We’re creating a fertile ground where bold ideas can flourish, where the potential of AI in the climate space is truly realized.”
Lisbeth Kaufman, Head of Climate Tech Startups Business Development at AWS, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the urgency of the climate crisis. “The intensifying effects of climate change demand a diverse and robust arsenal of solutions,” she stated. “That’s why we’re doubling down, opening the doors to a broader spectrum of innovators. From revolutionary fusion energy to AI-powered climate-resilient agriculture and deep-sea exploration, we’ve seen the remarkable potential of cloud computing and AI. We’re committed to providing the resources and mentorship needed to turn those visions into reality.”
Applications open from March 4 to April 6, 2025
Applications for the 2025 fellowship are open from March 4 to April 6, 2025, inviting climate tech startups, entrepreneurs, and researchers worldwide to submit their innovative proposals.
Building upon the program’s established focus areas – including clean energy, sustainable agriculture, and carbon removal – this year introduces a crucial new dimension: Indigenous solutions to the climate crisis.
Recognizing the unique expertise and vulnerability of Indigenous communities, the fellowship aims to elevate their voices and support their innovative approaches to climate action. These communities, often deeply connected to their ecosystems, possess invaluable ancestral knowledge that can contribute to a more sustainable future.
Selected startups will receive comprehensive support, including funding, technical resources, and access to the expertise of AWS and IRCAI. AWS is committing up to US$4 million in AWS credits to facilitate the development of these crucial POCs.
The selection process will prioritize projects with the potential for significant environmental impact, scalability, and alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, with a focus on projects that can be developed within a 2-3 month timeframe.
AWS and the impact of its program with IRCA
The program’s impact is already evident in the success stories of past participants.
RealtaFusion, a startup incubated at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, achieved a world record-breaking plasma generation milestone in fusion energy development, leveraging the fellowship to accelerate crucial simulations.
“The Compute for Climate Fellowship provided us with the cloud resources and expertise we needed to develop a first-of-its-kind plasma stability simulation, which had never been done in the cloud before the program,” said Kieran Furlong, CEO and Co-Founder of Realta Fusion.
Similarly, Cosma, a French startup using underwater micro-drones and AI for sustainable ocean management, credited the fellowship for enabling the development of their groundbreaking Rare Benthic Species detection algorithm.
“The fellowship provided us with the cloud resources and expertise we needed to develop our first Rare Benthic Species detection algorithm. This proved a game changer in marine biology,” said Frédéric Mittaine, CEO and founder of Cosma.
Fresh from forging a partnership with Smart, a leading telco in the Philippines, AWS announced in a press release that even startups selected for the fellowship can benefit from the program.
They will receive access to up to US$5,000 in AWS credits through the AWS Activate program, free workshops, training on AWS advanced computing services, and an invitation to join the IRCAI Industrial Club.
This expanded Compute for Climate Fellowship represents a significant step forward in the fight against climate change, fostering collaboration and empowering innovators to build a more sustainable future for all.
Applications can be submitted here. More information on the 2025 cohort of the Compute for Climate Fellowship can be found here.
