Student Program

What is the Student Program?

The Summit’s Student Program is for the next generation of energy entrepreneurs and researchers who want to drive American innovation. The Student Program provides the opportunity to:

• Connect with executives, start-ups, non-profits, and policymakers looking to hire new talent
• Learn about new energy initiatives from industry thought leaders and scientific researchers 
• Form relationships to secure funding and contribute to groundbreaking research  
   

Who participates in the Student Program?

Join a diverse mix of technical, scientific, business, and policy students from top universities and institutions. These students are energy leaders on their campuses, eager to learn more about high-risk energy technologies, and hope to transition to a professional career in the energy sector. The Student Program is restricted to graduate-level students at accredited institutions. 
 

How do I Join the Student Program?

Involved in an ARPA-E-funded project – Reserve Your Spot with the Reservation Form:  

If you are actively involved in an ARPA-E-funded project team that is exhibiting in the 2026 Summit, please complete the reservation form below. The application deadline is January 7, 2026. You will be notified of your Student Program status no later than January 22, 2026. 

Please note that if you are a part of an active ARPA-E project team, you are not eligible for complimentary registration as part of the Student Program. Please work with your project leader to determine if project funds can be used for your registration, lodging, and travel expenses.

Student Program Reservation Form
 

New to ARPA-E – Apply to the Student Program:

This competitive program includes graduate-level students from universities across the country. If you are new to ARPA-E or are not actively involved in an ARPA-E-funded project, please apply to the Student Program using the application link below. The application deadline is January 7, 2026. You will be notified of your Student Program status no later than January 22, 2026.

Please note that, if accepted, your registration will be complimentary. Each student is responsible for arranging and paying for their own lodging, flights, and transportation. 

Student Program Application

Key Deadlines:

Student Application & RSVP Deadline: January 7, 2026
Student PITCHES & Peer Mentor Application Deadline: January 7, 2026
Student Program Decisions Notification: January 22, 2026
If Admitted, Students Must Confirm Participation by: January 30, 2026
Student PITCHES & Peer Mentor Decisions Notification: January 30, 2026
 

How can my company participate in the Student Program?

Interested in hiring early career innovators? Participation in the Student Program is at no additional cost to your Summit registration. You can receive access to a digital resume book in advance of the Summit with the resumes of Student Program participants and engage with students during a dedicated networking session. An email will be sent to all Summit registered companies in the spring of 2026 with more information on how to participate.
 

 

ARPA-E STUDENT PITCHES & Peer Mentors 

Proposing Ideas for Technologies that can Harness Energy Securely (PITCHES)

Do you have a potentially disruptive energy technology idea? Do you want to pitch your idea or research to a broader audience? Good news! ARPA-E wants to hear from you. 

How it works: 

• All students are invited to submit their ideas for consideration to the ARPA-E Student PITCHES session. 
• Please note that this year, the full Student Program and Student PITCHES application will be open at the same time, and both have a deadline of January 7, 2026. To be considered for PITCHES you must complete the relevant application or reservation form above for the Summit’s Student Program.
• Selected student pitchers will prepare a five-minute pitch that summarizes their innovative energy technology idea and present it to an audience and a panel of industry judges. 
• Previous judges came from companies, start-ups, and universities like GE Vernova, Koloma, BASF, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, John’s Hopkins University, and Chevron Tech Ventures. 
• The judges will ask questions, provide feedback, and ultimately select a winning pitch. 
• The winning Student Pitcher will have the chance to give their pitch on the Summit’s main stage to thousands of leading industry leaders, investors, academic researchers, and government policymakers. 
   

Peer Mentors

If you want to support Student Pitchers as they create and practice their pitch, apply to be a Student Peer Mentor! Peer Mentors will work one-on-one with a Student Pitcher to refine their pitch in the weeks leading up to the Summit. 

How do I apply for Student PITCHES and Peer Mentors? 

This year, the Student Program, Student PITCHES, and Student Peer Mentor applications will all have the same deadline, January 7, 2026. Apply to give a pitch at the Student PITCHES or to support pitch development as a Peer Mentor below. You are welcome to apply to both Student PITCHES and Peer Mentors. Please refer to the key deadlines above for application deadlines & notification timelines. 
 

Student PITCHES Application

Student Peer Mentor Application
 

PITCHES ideas will be evaluated based on communication style, novelty, technical depth, and potential impact. We look forward to hearing your ideas!