Commercialization Cohort Programs

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is offering up to $37.9 million across three rounds of its Commercialization Cohort Programs to accelerate clean‑energy startups. The award will fund the design, launch, and management of cohort‑based accelerator programs (Pre‑seed and Series A‑B) that provide curriculum, mentorship, and direct grant funding to selected companies, with the goal of moving them toward commercial scale‑up in New York State. Contractors will be responsible for program administration, cohort recruitment, sub‑contract management, metrics tracking, and final reporting, while adhering to extensive NYS compliance, insurance, and data‑security requirements. The solicitation is open for Round 1 proposals, with a submission deadline of 2 December 2026. • Funding: $8.4 M for a Pre‑seed Accelerator and $11.6 M for a Series A‑B Accelerator (total $20 M for Round 1). • Scope: Full accelerator program administration, cohort selection, grant distribution, partnership development, annual metrics reporting, and final deliverable reporting. • Duration: Up to 4 years with two optional 24‑month renewal options. • Requirements: 20 % cost‑share, compliance with NYS finance law, insurance, SOC‑2 (for high‑rating data), accessibility, and conflict‑of‑interest disclosures.