Bakar and AIC-Bakar Awards
Forecasted
Bakar and AIC-Bakar Awards support faculty-led proof-of-concept research toward commercialization and positive societal impact, spanning applied STEM+ fields with a dedicated focus on climate solutions.
Funder: University of California Berkeley
Due Dates (Anticipated): February 2027 (Annual application deadline)
Funding Amounts: $100,000 per PI annually for three years; two-PI Bakar projects receive $200,000 annually
Summary: Supports faculty-led proof-of-concept research advancing toward commercialization and societal impact, with AIC-Bakar funding focused on climate solutions.
Key Information: Applicants must be eligible UC Berkeley faculty or UCSF faculty collaborating with an eligible Berkeley faculty member.
Description
The Bakar Fellows Program at UC Berkeley supports faculty-led research that can deliver tangible, positive societal impact through commercialization. The Bakar and AIC-Bakar Awards provide discretionary research support to achieve proposed milestones and move proof-of-concept technologies at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3 or above toward commercial application. Selected faculty become Bakar Faculty Fellows.
The Bakar Award supports applied research across STEM+ fields, including medicine, diagnostics, agriculture, and climate-related technologies. Commercial potential and addressing a critical societal challenge matter more than disciplinary boundaries. The AIC-Bakar Award, offered in partnership with Academic Innovation Catalyst, specifically supports climate-related proof-of-concept projects and exploration of their commercial potential. Both awards use the same application call; climate projects may receive funding under either award.
