Climate Piloting Opportunities

The Trust for Gov­er­nors Island offers the unique oppor­tu­ni­ty for star­tups, small busi­ness­es, non­prof­its, and entre­pre­neurs to test cli­mate solu­tions that address cli­mate mit­i­ga­tion, cli­mate adap­ta­tion, and envi­ron­men­tal jus­tice. Select­ed projects uti­lize the Island’s built, social, and nat­ur­al envi­ron­ments — includ­ing a 2.2‑mile water­front, 43-acre cli­mate-resilient park, 7 miles of car-free streets, 50+ his­toric build­ings, and sew­er and water infra­struc­ture — allow­ing them to accel­er­ate cli­mate inno­va­tion, eco­nom­ic oppor­tu­ni­ty, and social impact in diverse urban communities.

All pilot­ing projects on Gov­er­nors Island address one or more of the following: 

  • Cli­mate Mit­i­ga­tion: Does your prod­uct or ser­vice reduce harm­ful emis­sions that cause cli­mate change?
  • Cli­mate Adap­ta­tion: Does your prod­uct or ser­vice main­tain a safe, com­fort­able envi­ron­ment for every­day life in a chang­ing climate?
  • Envi­ron­men­tal Jus­tice: Does your prod­uct or ser­vice address adap­ta­tion or mit­i­ga­tion while cen­ter­ing human health, the envi­ron­ment, or cli­mate change in front­line communities?

Projects are all tem­po­rary and intend­ed to sup­port prod­uct or ser­vice devel­op­ment through test­ing and solu­tions validation.

How to Apply

  • Apply to the annual Climate Solutions Challenge: Win a $10,000 prize and access to supplemental grants generally not to exceed $20,000 to support project design and deployment. All program funding is non-dilutive and grant amounts will be based on demonstrated need. Selected teams can access opportunities with the Trust’s network of climate partners, including the New York Climate Exchange, regulatory agencies, and content area experts such as Closed Loop Partners. Applications for the 2025 Climate Solutions Challenge (Circular Economy) were due on December 5, 2024.
  • Submit a General Application on your own schedule: A year-round rolling application is open to all climate sectors. Project teams are responsible for all costs.
Click here to learn more and apply

Current Pilots

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