Grants for Private institutions of higher education - Energy

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is inviting applications for agricultural research grants for projects to be conducted from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2026. The projects should address various critical areas such as pest infestation impacts, Chesapeake Bay farm management practices, pollinator protection, food action plans, urban agriculture, energy in agriculture, animal health, and robotic technology in farming. Funding is contingent upon the 2024-2025 budget appropriations, and the deadline for application submission is June 7, 2024. The department will evaluate the proposals based on a 100-point scale considering project needs, research outcomes, methodology, evaluation and replicability, industry support, and research team diversity.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for organizations to help mobile food vendors in Washington, DC transition from fossil fuel generators to cleaner battery-powered systems, promoting environmental sustainability and improved air quality.

This modification (000001) includes: -FOA includes the addition of Section IV.A.ii (Applicant Education Services) This FOA solicits proposals for RD associated with Scalable Concentrating Solar Collectors, Scalable Supercritical Carbon Dioxide (sCO2) and Scalable Concentrating Solar-thermal Receivers and Reactors. The three technologies will support the government-wide approach to the climate crisis by driving the innovation that can lead to the deployment of clean energy technologies, which are critical for climate protection.

Please see the full FOA in EERE Exchange. The research and development (R) activities to be funded under this FOA will support the government-wide approach to the climate crisis by driving the innovation that can lead to the deployment of clean energy technologies, which are critical for climate protection. Specifically, this FOA will fund innovative solar photovoltaics (PV) R that reduces the cost of PV modules, reduces carbon and energy intensity of PV manufacturing processes, and optimizes PV technology for new, specialized markets. SETOs PVRD program works to accelerate the deployment of solar energy technologies by funding innovative R in PV cell and module technologies, balance-of-system components, reliability tracing and tracking, metrology, and other key research questions in PV. To accelerate toward these deployment targets and augment SETOs ongoing PV research portfolio,12 this FOA will fund R on innovative cell- and minimodule-level technologies focused on three major goals: Enable cost reduction on an LCOE basis through development of durable, high-efficiency cell and module PV technology Identify pathways to reduce the carbon intensity and energy intensity of industrial processes required to fabricate PV cells and modules Increase technical viability of PV cells and modules tailored for emerging integrated PV sectors, such as building-integrated PV (BIPV) and vehicle-integrated PV. This FOA will fund innovative R projects that aim to advance the state of the art in various cell and module technologies to accomplish these goals of cost reduction, lower carbon intensity, and viability of dual-use markets. This FOA is separated into two topic areas: Photovoltaic Advances in Cell Efficiency, Reliability, and Supply Chain (PACERS): Applications in four PV supply chain, cell, and module technology spaces are of particular interest: low-carbon synthesis of metallurgical-grade silicon (MGS, here defined as silicon that is 98% pure as defined by the 5/5/3 standard)13 production, crystalline silicon (c-Si) PV, III-V PV, and organic PV (OPV). However, proposals for any industrial process, cell, or minimodule-level research that enables the goals of this FOA will be considered, excluding areas specified as not of interest in Section I.C., such as perovskite technology, which is addressed in other funding programs, and CdTe technology, which is addressed in Topic Area 2. Building Academic Capabilities in Cadmium Telluride: Applications describing advanced R projects requiring the procurement or upgrade of CdTe equipment are of interest. Proposals should detail work that will enhance fabrication, characterization, or analytical capabilities while also benefiting the larger CdTe PV research community.

This competition provides funding for individuals and organizations to develop innovative energy storage technologies that address unique challenges in underserved communities and extreme climates.

This funding opportunity provides $10 million to academic institutions and their partners to develop and demonstrate innovative cybersecurity solutions for enhancing the resilience of the energy delivery systems in the United States.

This grant provides funding for technology demonstrations of non-lithium long-duration energy storage solutions, targeting state energy offices, Indian Tribes, educational institutions, electric utilities, and private energy storage companies to advance these technologies towards commercial viability.

The Distinguished Early Career Program (DECP) is the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Nuclear Energys (NE) most prestigious award for the most innovative distinguished faculty members beginning their independent careers. The intent of the program is to provide stable support to those faculty to form the impactful research groups, innovative lines of inquiry, educational approaches, and critical new research directions that will drive the next generation of nuclear energy innovation. NE encourages all eligible applicants to apply, especially women, members of underrepresented minority groups, and persons with disabilities. This FOA is soliciting distinguished early career applications that provide a clear research and education plan that highlights the applicants research and educational strengths; the research and education vision to support the development of the faculty member; and research infrastructure, curriculum, and outcomes that will advance the applicants research focus while training the next generation of nuclear energy professionals. Applications are required to focus on NE mission areas as outlined below.

This grant provides funding for interdisciplinary teams of graduate students, researchers, and industry professionals to explore and propose solutions for integrating renewable energy into the U.S. electric grid.

The American-Made Electronics Scrap Recycling Advancement Prize (E-SCRAP) is a $3.95 million challenge sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office (AMMTO). This three-phase prize aims to stimulate innovative approaches that reduce the costs and environmental impact of critical material recovery from electronic scrap (e-scrap). The program aligns with the DOE's mission to advance energy technology and reduce environmental impact, specifically targeting the challenges within the e-scrap recycling value chain. The target beneficiaries of the E-SCRAP prize are individuals, private entities (for-profits and nonprofits), nonfederal government entities (states, counties, tribes, and municipalities), and academic institutions working in waste collection and management, dismantling and sorting, separation, refining, validation, and material supply. The impact goals are to increase the domestic supply of critical materials from e-scrap, enhance material circularity, and reduce the environmental footprint associated with current recycling processes. The program prioritizes innovative approaches, processes, or technologies that optimize and implement critical material separation and recovery from e-scrap. This includes building partnerships across the recycling value chain, developing and demonstrating innovations, addressing technical, supply chain, or logistical hurdles, and enhancing supply chains to accelerate connectivity between various stages of recycling. Areas of interest include innovations for electronic scrap (communication devices, home appliances, medical/office equipment) and the recovery of critical materials such as aluminum, cobalt, copper, lithium, nickel, and rare earth elements. Expected outcomes include the development and demonstration of new technologies that lead to more efficient and environmentally friendly e-scrap recycling processes. Measurable results will be seen in increased rates of critical material recovery, reduced costs, and a decrease in environmental impact. Competitor teams can win up to $800,000 in cash prizes and $150,000 in national laboratory analysis support. The prize’s strategic priorities are to act as a catalyst for change, fostering innovation and collaboration to strengthen the domestic supply chain of critical materials, thereby contributing to clean energy initiatives and a more circular economy.

The HBIIP program offers cost-share grants up to $5 million to fueling and distribution facilities for the expansion of renewable fuel infrastructure, aiming to increase the sales and use of higher blends of ethanol and biodiesel derived from U.S. agricultural products.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to government entities, non-profit organizations, and universities in Michigan for projects aimed at preventing, detecting, managing, and eradicating invasive species in both terrestrial and aquatic environments.

The Indiana Office of Energy Development seeks proposals for Empowering Energy Partnerships in Indiana Communities to address energy needs at a community or regional scale. The program supports comprehensive solutions aligned with the state’s pillars of reliability, resiliency, stability, affordability, and environmental sustainability, and encourages partnerships with measurable public benefits. Eligible project topics include energy efficiency such as building upgrades and energy management technologies, alternative fueling and charging infrastructure that is publicly accessible, energy security and reliability including backup generation, microgrids, and cybersecurity, and clean energy resources such as solar, storage, geothermal, wind, and biomass. Vehicle purchases and certain high speed charging are not allowable under program rules. Projects should also demonstrate connections to state priorities such as economic development, workforce development, education, and public safety. Eligible entities include local units of government, nonprofit organizations, for profit entities, and institutions of higher education that are Indiana based and registered federally and with the state. Approximately 2,500,000 dollars is available, with anticipated awards averaging 300,000 to 500,000 dollars for project periods of up to three years. One proposal per eligible entity is allowed; applicants may coordinate regional submissions but cannot make tiered subawards. Applications are due May 1, 2024 through the state’s process. Additional information is available from the Indiana Office of Energy Development.

This funding opportunity provides substantial financial support for universities, businesses, and governments to develop and implement innovative technologies that capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, promoting environmental sustainability and community benefits.

The NNSA Academic Programs and Community Support, Office of Advanced Simulation and Computing (ASC) and Institutional Research and Development Programs (NA-114), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), are initiating the next phase of its academic program, called Predictive Science Academic Alliance Program IV (PSAAP IV). PSAAP IV will add an additional focus, on the development and application of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies to improve quantified predictive capabilities. The DOE NNSA Academic Programs and Community Support PSAAP IV Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), DE-FOA-NA0003284, and succeeding awarded agreements, are made possible from NNSAs statutory authority, and are managed by applicable guidance, regulations, and laws. Predictive Science Academic Alliance Program IV (PSAAP IV) will support leading U.S. institutions of higher education, with doctoral programs, engaging in five major focus areas: 1. Discipline-focused research to further predictive science and enabled by effective exascale computing and data science technologies; 2. Mathematics and computer science (CS) technologies and methodologies to support effective exascale computing in the context of science/engineering applications (development and demonstration); 3. State-of-the-art machine learning (ML) and data science technologies for predictive science and engineering (utilization and advancement); 4. Predictive science based on verification, validation, and uncertainty quantification (VVUQ) for large-scale simulations; and 5. Workforce development of the next-generation computational scientists. PSAAP IV will create a program consisting of two types of Centers: Predictive Simulation Centers (PSCs) and Focused Investigatory Centers (FICs). 1. Predictive Simulation Centers (PSCs) will be required to focus their research on scalable application simulations, targeting either large-scale, integrated multidisciplinary problems or a broad single science/engineering discipline, to be carried out on ASCs unclassified high-performance computing (HPC) systems that will be made available to the funded PSAAP IV Centers. A PSC must (1) develop and demonstrate computer and/or data science technologies and methodologies that will advance exascale computing, and (2) demonstrate a verified and validated predictive simulation (or simulation-driven workflow) with uncertainty quantification. Both (1) and (2) must be demonstrated within the context of the proposed application. It is expected that a PSC will demonstrate a compelling and significant advance in predictive science, in the context of their application. The overall goal should require the integration of state-of-the-art techniques and advances in physical science, scientific machine learning, and exascale-enabled computer/computational science to demonstrate improved predictive capability. This should be manifested as predictions of a wider range of phenomena, with improved predictive accuracy and reduced uncertainty, in comparison to existing capabilities at the beginning of the project. Integrated system simulation (or simulation-driven workflow) results for a single demonstration problem must be produced each year, beginning in the second year of the program. All research efforts within a PSC must contribute towards advancing this predictive capability and be integrated no later than the year 4 demonstration. It is anticipated that PSCs will be 5-year awards at $1.5-3.5M per year, with the larger-award sizes for Centers targeting multidisciplinary problems and advancing both CS and ML technologies. 2. Focused Investigatory Centers (FICs) will be required to be tightly focused on a specific research topic either in one of the disciplines or one or more of the exascale-enabling CS, ML, or VVUQ technologies listed below. FICs will not necessarily have a tie to an application or be required to demonstrate a verified, validated predictive simulation with uncertainty quantification. Successful FIC will demonstrate a compelling and significant scientific advance in the single discipline or enabling technology. The technical advance should represent a qualitative step up in the discipline, as opposed to incremental progress. It is anticipated that FIC awards will be up to 5-year awards, at $0.5-1.0M per year. DOE/NNSA will award cooperative agreements under this NOFO. DOE/NNSA will consider funding multi-institution teams submitted as a prime and subaward model with one application submitted by the lead institution (prime applicant). Approximately $20,000,000 annually is anticipated to be available for awards under this NOFO. Funding for all awards and future budget periods are contingent upon the availability of funds appropriated by Congress for the purpose of this program and the availability of future-year budget authority. Grants.gov Questions Direct questions relating to the Grants.gov registration process, system requirements, application form, or the submittal process must be directed to Grants.gov at 1-800-518-4726 or [email protected]. DOE/NNSA staff are unable to answer Grants.gov questions. NOFO Questions Direct specific program and technical questions through FedConnect found at FedConnect - Gateway to Government Opportunities. Responses to FAQs will be posted periodically via FedConnect to registered applicants. Responses to FAQs will also be posted to the PSAAP IV FAQs website at PSAAP-IV NOFO FAQ PSAAP (llnl.gov)

This initiative seeks input from various stakeholders, including businesses, researchers, and government entities, to enhance the recycling and reuse of products and materials, ultimately promoting environmental sustainability and economic resilience.

The Equitable and Affordable Solutions to Electrification (EAS-E) Home Electrification Prize offers up to $2.4 million in prizes for innovative solutions that advance the electrification retrofits of residential homes across all building types and geographies. The goal is to make electrification more affordable and accessible in existing U.S. homes, with a focus on equitable solutions for all homeowners, including those in low-income and under-resourced communities. The prize supports design solutions, tools, and technology innovations that enable the switch to electric products and reduce carbon emissions. Low-power electrification solutions are strongly encouraged. The competition consists of two phases: Phase 1 focuses on presenting proposed solutions and up to five winners receive a $5,000 cash prize and a $75,000 voucher to work with DOE national laboratories. Phase 2 involves finalizing teams, demonstrating functional prototype solutions, and up to three winners receive prizes, with a top prize of $1 million. The competition is open to individuals, private entities, nonfederal government entities, and academic institutions. For more information, refer to the official rules document.

This funding opportunity provides up to $1.3 billion to support the development and demonstration of advanced carbon capture technologies for power generation and industrial sectors, targeting a wide range of eligible applicants including educational institutions, nonprofits, and businesses.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) has launched the Community Solar Energy Sovereignty Grant Program, aimed at supporting the pre-development and development of community solar projects. With an allocation of $8.5 million, the program offers grants ranging from $50,000 to $1,000,000 to facilitate community ownership and energy sovereignty in Illinois, particularly in equity investment eligible communities. These include areas affected by economic exclusion and pollution, as identified in the Restore Reinvest Renew (R3) Areas and Environmental Justice Communities. The program emphasizes community benefits, local wealth building, and addresses capital barriers in disadvantaged populations. Activities eligible for funding include early stage planning, team organization, site identification, financing, and customer outreach, with a focus on creating sustainable community solar cooperatives.

This funding opportunity provides $10,000 to individual artists in Illinois to support their professional development and enhance community engagement through their creative practices.