← Back to the funding database
AllFellowshipClosed
Robin Hood Foundation / Blue Rid...
Blue Ridge Labs Founder Fellowship 2026
Amount
$20,000
Deadline
May 3, 2026
Odds
~25 advance to Step 2
Effort
1 to 3 hrs
Can you get this?
✓Open to new or early-stage founders
✓Lived or learned experience with issue area
✓Focus on economic mobility impact areas
✓Open to applicants from anywhere in the U.S.
✓No prototype or co-founder required
Your real odds
A larger virtual cohort enters Step 1, but only approximately 25 founders advance to the paid Step 2 in Brooklyn.
Most applicants get cut before the $20K stipend kicks in, so the two-phase structure is where the real competition lives. The virtual first stage is designed to surface potential, not polish.
What it takes
Submit idea summary and background1 to 3 hrs
Complete virtual program6 to 8 weeks
Join in-person cohort at BRL Lab10 to 12 wee
Worth knowing
You don't need a prototype or a co-founder to apply, and the program says so explicitly, meaning a sharp problem insight and a clear user population are enough to move forward.
What else do you qualify for?
Filter 1,700+ opportunities by identity, stage, and region.
Select all three to see your result.
$50B+ in available capital across grants, VC funds, CDFIs, and accelerators. Filter by your industry, stage, and region, and see everything you qualify for.
Explore the funding database →
$19/month · cancel anytime