2025 Prize Application – The Wilkes Center for Climate Science & Policy

2025 Wilkes Climate Prize Application

By filling out this form you are submitting your first round application to the 2025 Wilkes Center Climate Prize at the University of Utah. First round submissions are due February 28, 2025.

Evaluation Criteria

Key considerations for each criteria.

Scalable impact:

How much greenhouse gases (MT CO2-equivalent) could be avoided from emissions or removed from the atmosphere per year in the immediate future (e.g. 2025-2027) and near-term future (e.g. around 2030)?
What are the potentials for scaling up over the 2030-2050 timescale?
How will the Prize lead to a transformative change in this sector?
What is the estimated permanence of these emissions reductions or removals and what is the confidence for these estimates?

Feasibility:

Are there demonstrations of feasibility existing? At what stage? Where?
What is the current cost per MT CO2-equivalent? What are future estimated costs by approximately 2030?
Explain why your team has the relevant expertise and structure to succeed.
What are key barriers and what plans are in place to overcome barriers, constraints, risks, or trade-offs with scaling up the solution?

Co-benefits

Will the proposed solution lead to co-benefits to communities, economies, or ecosystems?
What is the potential for negative consequences (e.g. on communities, economies, or ecosystems) and what are solutions to mitigate them?

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to apply for the Wilkes Climate Launch Prize?

Organizations at all stages, both for-profits and nonprofits, anywhere in the world are eligible to submit ideas to be considered for the Wilkes Climate Launch Prize. This includes seed, pre-seed, venture-funded, publicly traded stage companies, or nonprofits. Please direct any specific questions about eligibility to Kyla Welch via email at Kyla.Welch@utah.edu.

What format should I use to submit my pitch?

Your pitch should by typed directly into the form on the application portal. Many applicants find it easiest to type their proposal in a word document and copy/past into the form.

Are there restrictions on the use of Prize funds?

Other than a 15% cap on overhead (including indirect or F&A costs), there are no other restrictions on the use of the funds.

Is there one grand prize, or are there also smaller prizes for finalists?

There is only one grand prize to be awarded.

When exactly are First Round applications due?

All First Round submissions are due before midnight on February 28, 2025 (12:00 midnight MST)

When will I hear back about Round 2?

The Wilkes Center will accept applications through the February 28th deadline. Applicants who will move on to round 2 will be notified by the middle of March.

Can we submit multiple project ideas from the same organization?

Yes, you may submit different ideas from the same organization to be considered.

Does our organization need to have an affiliation with the University of Utah or the State of Utah?

No. The Wilkes Climate Launch Prize is open to organizations at all stages, both for-profits and nonprofits – anywhere in the world.

Who should I contact if I have additional questions?

All further questions should be submitted to Kyla Welch via email at Kyla.Welch@utah.edu

Process & Review Timeline

Phase I: First round submissions Due February 28, 2025 (all submissions must be submitted by 11:59 PM MST, Friday night)
Phase II: Finalists submit second-round application on May 13th and pitch in-person at Wilkes Climate Summit at the University of Utah, May 15, 2025
Awards: Award ceremony in September 2025

2025 Wilkes Launch Prize Application

Name (Primary applicant) *

Name (Primary applicant)

First

Last

Name (Co-applicant, if applicable)

First

Last

Company or Organization's Name

Phone (Primary applicant)

Primary applicant email *

Co-applicant email (if applicable)

Summary (100 word maximum) *

0 of 100 max words

Provide a high-level summary of the proposed climate solution, including the potential impact and key innovations proposed.

Describe the Solution (500 word maximum) *

0 of 500 max words

Describe the climate solution proposed, including concrete technical details on sector, approach, region, innovation relative to other solutions in the sector, and plan for deployment and scaling up wherever possible.

Address key criteria (max 600 words) *

0 of 600 max words

Detail the primary goals and outcomes of the proposed climate solution. These outcomes should aim to address the three selection criteria of climate impact, feasibility, and co-benefits. Provide concrete and quantitative estimates wherever possible and an estimated timeline for each goal.

Team member/organization bio (max 300 words) *

0 of 300 max words

Briefly describe the relevant background and expertise of the individual, team, or organization presenting the climate solution, including key members who will lead the development and implementation of the proposed climate solution.

Budget overview (max 100 words) *

0 of 100 max words

Provide an estimated budget, including a brief breakdown between infrastructure and personnel costs, for how a $250,000 climate prize would drive the climate solution to the impact proposed above.

If your submission is selected in the second round could your team attend the in-person pitch event at the Wilkes Climate Summit at the University of Utah on May 15th, 2025? (travel and accommodation costs would be reimbursed) *

Yes, I would plan to be there!

No, I probably couldn't make it.

Do you consent to share your contact information with potential investors? By applying to the Wilkes Launch Prize, you may also have opportunities to network with potential investors who are interested in financially supporting innovative climate solutions. At the same time, we understand and respect any concerns applicants may have about keeping proprietary ideas confidential. Let us know if you agree to allow your name (Primary Applicant), your organization name, your summary statement, and your email address (Primary Applicant) to be shared with potential investors. If you do not want to allow this information to be shared, please indicate DO NOT share. *

I agree to allow my name, organization name, my summary, and email address to be shared.

Please DO NOT share my name, organization name, my summary, and email address.

How did you hear about the Prize?

Research funding website

Science journal

Word-of-mouth

Email outreach from the Wilkes Center

Social Media

OtherOther

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