Carbontech Funding Opens as CDR Sector Pushes for Net-Zero Standard Revisions

The Carbon Removal Industry Is Seeing Significant Activity This Week, With New Funding Opportunities Now Available for Innovators and Major Stakeholders Calling for Changes to Upcoming Corporate Climate Standards

$8 Million Carbontech Initiative Opens Round 4 Applications

The Carbontech Development Initiative (CDI) has launched its fourth round of research and commercialization grants. The program has already awarded over $8 million to 39 teams and is now seeking new applicants working on breakthrough carbon technologies.

Applications are now open and will close on Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET.

The initiative offers three distinct programs. Propel Carbontech supports external research teams, while Carbontech Leap is exclusive to Columbia University faculty. For startups at mid-to-late stage development, Bridge Carbontech provides commercialization support.

Focus areas include CO2 capture from both direct air and point source, CO2-to-building-materials conversion, CO2-to-chemicals and fuels, and dual-functional materials development.

Research projects at TRL 2-3 can receive up to $250,000 for Columbia teams or $150,000 for external applicants. Startups operating at TRL 4-9 may qualify for awards up to $375,000.

The CDI is hosting six information sessions between December 8, 2025 and January 7, 2026 for interested applicants.

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CDR Industry Urges SBTI to Revise Draft Net-Zero Standard

Meanwhile, 55 buyers and stakeholders from the carbon dioxide removal sector have signed an open letter calling for amendments to the Science Based Targets initiative draft Corporate Net-Zero Standard Version 2.0.

The Nordic Carbon Removal Association anchored this initiative following SBTI's November 6th public consultation on the new draft standard.

Signatories argue the current wording creates uncertainty around whether carbon removals qualify for neutralization claims. This could make reaching net-zero extremely costly or even impossible for many companies.

The letter requests specific revisions, including changes to paragraph C29.6 that would allow corporations to make neutralization claims based on permanent CDR certificates. The key conditions: the certificate cannot be simultaneously claimed by another company, and the removal must be included in no more than one Nationally Determined Contribution.

A second requested amendment targets the Additionality definition in point 1.3. The proposed change would enable neutralization activities to contribute toward a host country's NDC when there's proof of additionality for voluntary applications.

The letter has gathered support from major industry players including Puro.earth, Isometric, Climeworks, 1PointFive, Stockholm Exergi, South Pole, Stripe, Nasdaq, the Carbon Business Council, Heirloom, and others across the permanent removals value chain.

These stakeholders believe the amendments would help SBTI enable corporate entities to effectively use carbon removal toward their net-zero goals, rather than creating barriers to climate action.

Both developments signal growing momentum in the carbontech and CDR space, with increased funding flowing to innovators and industry voices actively shaping the standards that will guide corporate climate commitments.