Carbontech Development Initiative Launches Round 4 Project Funding Opportunity for Carbontech Innovators

Applications Open for Fourth Round of Carbontech Development Initiative Research and Commercialization Grants

November 24, 2025

NEW YORK CITY — The Carbontech Development Initiative (CDI) is pleased to announce the opening of its fourth solicitation round welcoming applications from eligible teams to two Research Programs which accelerate technology from academic labs toward commercialization and one Commercialization Program which supports startups at mid- and late-stage development. The program has awarded over $8 Million to 39 teams to date. To learn more about Round 1, 2, & 3 awardee teams, please read the press releases here, here, and here.

Interested researchers and startups can apply to Round 4 here. 

Applicants focused in the following technology topic areas will be considered for funding:

  • CO2 Capture Technology:
    • Direct Air Capture (DAC)
    • Point Source CO2 Capture
    • Cross-cutting solutions to enable carbon capture (direct air and point source) and utilization
  • CO2-to-Building Materials:
    • Carbon mineralization of waste
    • CO2 curing of concretes
    • Low carbon replacement materials
  • CO2-to-Chemicals/ Fuels and Dual-Functional Materials:
    • Electrochemical conversion of CO2

    • Dual-functional materials 

       

Key Dates

Applications are due by 11:59pm ET on Wednesday, January 14, 2026. CDI will select applicants and announce the awardees by June 2026. CDI will host six optional virtual information sessions to present program details and answer questions. Key dates for CDI’s Fourth application cohort are listed below:

  • Monday, November 24, 2025 (9:00am ET): Application portal opens
  • Monday, December 8, 2025 (12pm ET): Virtual info session (External programs) #1 (Register here)
  • Tuesday, December 9, 2025 (2pm ET): Virtual info session (Internal programs) #1 (Register here)
  • Wednesday, December 17, 2025 (1pm ET): Virtual info session (External programs) #2 (Register here)
  • Wednesday, December 17, 2025 (2pm ET): Virtual info session (Internal programs) #2 (Register here)
  • Tuesday, January 6, 2026 (3pm ET): Virtual info session (External programs) #3 (Register here)
  • Wednesday, January 7, 2026 (1pm ET): Virtual info session (Internal programs) #3 (Register here)
  • Wednesday, January 14, 2026 (11:59pm ET): Application portal closes

 

Eligibility 

Research Programs

  • Propel Carbontech (External to Columbia University) - RFP
    • Technology Readiness Level: 2 – 3
    • Individual project awards: $50,000 - $150,000
    • Project Duration: Complete by June 30, 2027
    • Open to applicants who are external to Columbia University
  • Carbontech Leap (Internal to Columbia University Only) - RFP
    • Technology Readiness Level: 2 – 3
    • Individual project awards: up to $250,000
    • Project Duration: Complete by June 30, 2027
    • Open to applicants who are faculty at Columbia University

Commercialization Programs (Startups only) - RFP

  • Bridge Carbontech
    • Technology Readiness Level: 4 – 9
    • Individual project awards: $287,500 - $375,000
    • Project Duration: Complete by June 30, 2027

    • Open to startups at mid – late stages of technology development

       

About CDI

Based out of Columbia Technology Ventures, CDI is a carbontech market transformation and grant-seeding commercialization hub. CDI connects a global ecosystem of academic, philanthropic, business, and government actors to fill related incubation, personnel, and financial gaps within the carbontech sector. CDI leverages Columbia University’s leadership in carbontech research for over 20 years, pioneering scientific concepts and leading the way in legal and policy initiatives. CDI’s grant-making program is supported by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), with the aim of transforming New York State into a hub for the carbontech industry.  To achieve this, CDI is providing support to researchers and entrepreneurs, facilitating the transfer of technology, and promoting the commercialization of new carbontech innovations. 

To learn more about CDI’s past awards and Round 4 solicitation, please visit the CDI website or email [email protected].