Funding & Fellowships (U.S. based)

Supports

We turn exceptional individuals into funded founders. We back you first, then give you a bridge to Silicon Valley. You might have an early idea, or be testing a cofounder. You might have nothing. What we’re most interested in is you and your potential. Learn more about EF. Ready to apply? The programs below are full-time and in person. BASED IN THE U.S.? > FUNDING & FELLOWSHIPS Start: 2026 Whether you’re ready to go all in or still exploring ideas, our residencies in San Francisco give you 3 months to build, experiment, and find the right cofounder. We accept applications on a rolling basis and review each one carefully; we’re unable to provide individual feedback. Who should apply? Our programs are most valuable for people in the early stages of their career, who can demonstrate that they’ve achieved exceptional outcomes relative to their peers. We call these people ‘outliers’, and are particularly interested in speaking with individuals who express ambitious ideas and an intellectual excellence to anticipate, reimagine, and build the technologies of the future. Where should I apply? If you're based in the U.S., we recommend you apply for our U.S. funding and fellowships. Do I need a cofounder to apply? No you do not need a cofounder to apply. Our program brings together exceptional individuals to find a cofounder and build a startup from scratch. We assess all applicants as individuals, before they have a business, cofounder or an idea. If you already have a cofounder, please mention this on your application, and ask them submit one too. Why is the program full-time and in person? Our program brings together exceptional individuals to find cofounders and build startups from scratch. Within eight weeks, 80% of participants will find a cofounder. This unique process works due to the cohort’s shared focus and commitment to founding right now. This works best in person, where ideas and relationships can be quickly forged and iterated. That’s why we expect you to commit full-time to the program, and move to one of our hub cities to take part in person. We host a highly anticipated Kick Off Summit ahead of each program, where your cohort will be brought together for the first time for a residential weekend. What happens after I apply? We review applications on a rolling basis. You will receive an email from us regardless of the outcome of your application. If we think you might be a good fit for one of our programs, we will invite you to meet one or more members of our Talent Investing team. Will I need a visa? You may need a visa to relocate to one of our hub cities. We do not provide visas for the EF program. However, in many circumstances, we can offer support to help you apply for a visa, if required. This is dependent on your circumstance and background.