The Application Process

The New Mexico LEEP application cycle is open for eight weeks each spring. Applications are closed for 2023. The next application cycle will open in February, 2024 for the following years’ cohort. To receive notifications about the next application cycle, Register Your Interest. To keep up to date on New Mexico LEEP throughout the year, sign up for our newsletter.

Important Dates

February, 2024
Applications Open

MARCH, 2024
Informational Webinar

APRIL, 2024
Applications Close

Info Webinar Recording

Watch this 20-minute presentation followed with 20-minutes of Q&A to learn how to submit a strong application, the evaluation process and timeline, what types of technology fit best within the program, working with Los Alamos National Laboratory – the capabilities, expertise, and resources innovators can tap into, and hear questions asked of program staff during the live Q&A session that occurred on March 21, 2023.

Selection Criteria

An innovation that fits into one or more of our five technology areas: advanced materials, AI & advanced computing, biotechnology, space systems, or energy transition.
You intend to transition your technology into a product and build a company. (This is not a program for funding R&D.)
You have conducted early customer discovery and have found there is interest in your solution.
You meet most of these benchmarks: You have a prototype, less than four full-time employees, have received less than $1.5M in funding.
You need the technical expertise of a national laboratory for testing, validating, de-risking, modeling, etc.
You need business mentorship and training. (This program is not intended for serial entrepreneurs.)
You can commit to New Mexico LEEP for two years.
You will relocate to New Mexico for the two-year program duration or longer.
Recommended that your technology development matches New Mexico’s national laboratory expertise. Contact us if you need help discovering which capabilities and focus areas match your innovations.

Application Tips

We evaluate applications on a rolling basis, so it’s encouraged to apply early.
Watch the recorded Info Webinar to learn how to submit a strong application.
Preview the application below to see what questions you might need to spend more time on.
In case the application portal (Zintellect) logs you out mid-completion, use the Preview Application below and craft your answers in advance on a local computer, then login into the application portal to copy and paste your answers into the Zintellect response fields.
Update your resume/CV in advance.
Ensure your resume/CV is three pages or less. We do not review any information from your resume/CV beyond the third page.
If you don’t already have a standard pitch deck, prepare a general deck. The file must be less than 10MB. Reach out if you have questions about this.
Contact our program staff if you have questions about the application, the program, or to learn more about what it’s like to be a New Mexico LEEP Fellow. We’re happy to set up a call.

Application Dates 2024

APPLICATIONS OPEN:
February, 2024

INFORMATIONAL WEBINAR:
MARCH, 2024

APPLICATIONS CLOSE:
APRIL, 2024

2023 Selection Timeline

April 17: Applications Close
Deadline for our annual application cycle.
June 1-July 1: Virtual Interviews Scheduling
Applicants are interviewed by a panel of staff, advisors and subject matter experts.
July 1-August 30: Alignment Workshop
Selected applicants are paired with national laboratory researchers to determine synergy for collaboration.
September 11-12: Final Pitch Events
Finalists present in New Mexico to our Strategic Leadership Council, reviewers, and staff for final selection.
Fall, 2023: New Mexico LEEP Cohort Announced
Announcement includes press release, bios and project description.
January, 2024: Fellows Onboard
All new Fellows are onsite in northern New Mexico.

Stay Connected