Governors Island Climate Piloting Program (2026 Climate Solutions Challenge - Adaptation)

Governors Island is a 172-acre island in the New York Harbor, about 800 yards away from Lower Manhattan. The island features over 50 historic buildings, 2 miles of waterfront, and more than a million annual visitors. The Governors Island Climate Piloting Program, launched in 2023, ‘offers early-stage companies and innovators the opportunity to test and scale climate products and services in a real-world environment.’ The program has supported projects in many areas, including living shorelines, air quality, urban agriculture, circular economy, and more.

Selected participants are granted rent-free physical space on Governors Island, New York; companies receive technical support, networking opportunities, and visibility via events and marketing. The duration of the program ranges from 3 to 18 months.

General Applications are open year-round to all climate sectors on a rolling basis; project teams are responsible for all costs. Applications to the 2026 Climate Solutions Challenge: Adaptation are due by January 21st. Selected participants receive a $10,000 prize and up to $20,000 in supplemental grants to support the design and deployment of projects. For more information on this specific challenge and general program information (deadlines, requirements, etc.) please visit the Governors Island website.