How to Apply
Complete the Project Application and submit to livinglab@govisland.org. Project Application available for download at govisland.org/business-opportunities.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be incorporated as a legal entity and must be working on urban climate solutions (e.g., hardware, software, materials research, policy, or innovative business and financing models).
- Applicants should identify a critical milestone that requires a temporary pilot site to support product development and deployment (e.g., solutions validation, beta testing, data collection.)
- The Trust strongly encourages applications from underrepresented founders and nonprofit leaders, including locally based and minority- and women-owned enterprises. Preference will be given to small businesses and nonprofit organizations with 50 employees or fewer.
Awards and Benefits for Pilot Partners
- Access to a project site (with no fee) on Governors Island under a 3- to 12-month license agreement. Longer-term temporary projects may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
- Climate Solutions Challenge: A $10,000 grant or non-dilutive funding award and access to a common pool of $100,000 in additional deployment support.
- Technical support on project feasibility, siting, and permitting. (Note: Eligible pilot sites on Governors Island are managed by the Trust for Governors Island as the sole owner and operator.)
- Promotional opportunities as an inaugural Pilot Partner with the Center for Climate Solutions.
- Opportunities to engage with key stakeholders and mentor future cohorts.
Program Requirements
- Ensuring safe and responsible deployment, operation, and maintenance of their climate solution subject to a standard license agreement for site access. This includes and is not limited to design and permitting, site preparation and restoration, transport and installation, a certificate of insurance, and providing regular on-site oversight and maintenance during the pilot period.
- Coordinating with the Governors Island Living Lab and Trust for Governors Island on promotional opportunities, such as interpretive signage, web and social assets, press, and events.
- Providing a security deposit. This may be set up as a retainage of the Challenge grant award, plus retainage of 10% of any additional deployment funds awarded from the common pool.
- For the general rolling call, Pilot Partners are responsible for all project costs, including a security deposit, site preparation, and restoration to original condition.
Program Limitations and Legal Requirements
Project must meet the following requirements:
- Projects must be temporary.
- Projects must meet all local code, permitting, and regulatory requirements.
- Project teams are responsible for professional design, permitting, expediting, or engineering services to support deployment.
Due to the Island’s unique and evolving environment, the Trust currently has limited ability to support the following project types:
- Transportation: AVs, EVs, and grid-connected EV charging solutions.
- Buildings: Grid-connected building systems interventions, where the majority of Trust-controlled historic buildings are vacant with limited critical building systems.
- Food Systems: Urban agriculture demonstrations requiring more than 0.5 acres.
Can I apply to both tracks?
Applicants should apply to the track best suited to their project.
If my application is not accepted, am I eligible for future cycles?
Yes, applicants may re-submit in a future cycle.
I am a developer. Can I submit a development proposal through this call?
Developers should submit inquiries to realestate@govisland.org.
Isn’t Governors Island only accessible by ferry? How can I transport equipment?
Governors Island ferries operate 7 days a week on a 30-minute interval, including during business hours. Vehicle permits are available from 7:00 AM to 9:30 AM on weekdays. The ferry can accommodate a range of vehicles and trucks. The maximum vehicle weight is 40 tons.
Where can I send additional questions?
All questions must be sent to livinglab@govisland.org.
Where can I sign up for updates?
Click here to sign up for email updates about Climate Solutions on Governors Island.