On June 23rd, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the Clean Energy Manufacturing Innovation Institute (CEMII) for Industrial Decarbonization through Electrification of Process Heating Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA). This FOA will provide up to $70 million in federal funding to develop and fund a new institute that will conduct research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) focused on developing and scaling electrified processes that reduce emissions, improve flexibility, and enhance energy efficiency of industrial process heating.

Full applications are due October 25, and concept papers are due August 9.

The Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) Science and Technology Policy Fellowship offers candidates an opportunity to learn about the federal government and its role in advancing renewable energy with the Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in Washington, D.C. SETO is interested in candidates with backgrounds including but not limited to physical and natural sciences, social science, engineering, policy, and entrepreneurship. Three levels of participation provide opportunities to a range of experience levels from recent graduates to experienced scientists and engineers to participate in the program. Selected candidates will receive a competitive stipend. Participants will use their expertise to support solar energy research and development by guiding strategy, designing funding programs, and managing SETO-funded projects in the following areas:

• Photovoltaic technologies
• Concentrating solar-thermal power technologies
• Grid systems integration technologies
• Behavioral science, strategic analysis, and technical assistance
• Manufacturing and technology transfer
• Environmental justice and finance
• Communication and stakeholder engagement

The Interconnection Innovation e-Xchange (i2X) develops innovative solutions to enable faster, simpler, and fairer interconnection of solar energy, wind energy, and energy storage, while enhancing the reliability and resilience of our nation’s distribution and transmission grid networks. As a partner in the Interconnection Innovation e-Xchange (i2X), you can participate in various activities dedicated to solving interconnection problems at regional, technological, and sector-specific levels:

• Access to the Online Stakeholder Platform
• Participate in Working Groups
• Direct Access to Interconnection Experts
• Workshops and Informational Resources
• Feedback on Deliverables
• Technical Assistance Opportunities

The Solar Prize encourages the rapid development of innovative solar energy solutions capable of addressing the tough challenges facing the solar industry. Solar Prize competitors participate in three contests—the Ready!, Set!, and Go! Contests—to transform their ideas into reality in months, rather than years. Competitors have the chance to win part of $4.1 million in prizes to help them advance in the competition and accelerate the development of their solution.

Round 6 includes an optional additional challenge that focuses on advancing solar in underserved communities. Participants who choose to incorporate this initiative into their solutions have the chance to be considered for a new Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Contest and a bonus cash prize!

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as part of its Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, is seeking proposals from small businesses to develop novel environmental technologies. For Phase I, EPA awards firm-fixed-price contracts of up to $100,000 for 6 months for “proof of concept” of the proposed technology. Companies who have received the Phase I can submit a proposal for a Phase II award of $400,000 to further develop and commercialize the technology. The current solicitation topics are:

• Clean and Safe Water
• Air Quality & Climate
• Homeland Security
• Circular Economy/Sustainable Materials
• Safer Chemicals
• Risk Assessment

Tribes are eligible to apply for up to $200,000 to support facility and residential projects. Tribal Facility Solar Project Funding can include rooftop, carport or ground-mount solar installations that meet the energy needs of the tribal community and Tribal Residential Solar Project Funding is designated for solar energy installed on a single-family home or small multi-family complex to significantly reduce the financial burden spent on electricity costs.

The Tribal Energy Innovation (TEI) Fellowship will be entering its third year and is offering a $25,000 award designated for federally-recognized tribal members who are entrepreneurs, or a member of a cooperative or social/business enterprise which supports renewable energy infrastructure and capacity building in tribal communities. The Fellowship is designed to develop and strengthen tribal energy sovereignty and resilience in Indian Country by supporting tribal members who are entrepreneurs or a member of a social/business enterprise that advances sustainable renewable energy solutions and capacity building in tribal communities.

During the year-long, stipend fellowship, fellows learn from GRID staff, from one another, and from industry mentors and professionals on best practices in renewable energy planning, business, workforce development and training, and other areas of technical support. GRID Alternatives and the Tribal Solar Accelerator Fund have partnerships across the U.S. to provide a network of professional, educational support and opportunities with industry leaders, and exposure to advanced technologies from around the world. The fellowship culminates with a business presentation to GRID staff, industry professionals and other renewable energy changemakers looking to invest in innovative approaches to the unique energy needs across Indian Country.

DOE expects to make two to five awards under this funding opportunity, each ranging from $2 to $5 million. DOE seeks a diverse set of applicants, including universities, research and development centers, individuals, and civil society organizations. DOE encourages the participation of underserved communities and underrepresented groups. As part of the application, applicants should describe how they will incorporate diversity, equity, and inclusion objectives in the project.

For more information, view the full FOA or register for the EERE information webinar on June 22.

The Clean Energy Cybersecurity Accelerator^TM (CECA) advances cyber innovation to defend modern, renewable energy technologies against high-priority cybersecurity risks to the energy sector.

CECA solicits participants based on high-priority security threats. Cohorts go through an accelerator period of 3 to 12 months, sharing ideas and threat intelligence before validating solutions in the lab.  To be eligible for the program, interested solution providers must:

• Be based in the United States
• Offer technology solutions with strong authentication for distributed energy resources, to protect the modern electrical grid and expedite solutions to market
• Be at a Technology Readiness Level 4 or above

The Hydrogen Shot Incubator supports teams as they develop transformative concepts into early-stage prototypes ready for lab-scale demonstration, through two phases and culminating with a Pitch Day.

Phase I – due August 17: In the Propose! Phase participants will access resources and environments to foster new solution concepts and develop them into plans for early-stage prototypes in rapid learning cycles. Submission packages must highlight a concept for clean hydrogen production, focusing on lowering the hydrogen production cost. DOE will select up to ten winners to advance in the competition.

Phase II – due June 2023: Winners of the Propose! phase will develop their concepts and designs with the help of national laboratory experts. Submissions for the Prove! phase must include a plan with preliminary designs for a laboratory-scale demonstration along with technoeconomic and emissions analyses to validate the proposed idea. DOE will select up to five winners for additional cash and voucher support.

This FOA supports high-impact technology RD&D to accelerate the bioeconomy and, in particular, the production of low-carbon fuels for the aviation, marine, rail, and long-haul trucking industries. BETO is focusing on applied RD&D to improve the performance and reduce cost of biofuel production technologies and scale-up production systems in partnership with industry. Under this funding opportunity, BETO is interested in the following Topic Areas:

• Topic Area 1: Pre-Pilot Scale-Up of Integrated Biorefineries
• Topic Area 2: Pilot Scale-Up of Integrated Biorefineries
• Topic Area 3: Demonstration Scale-Up of Integrated Biorefineries
• Topic Area 4: Gen-1 Corn Ethanol Emission Reduction

The SD Pro Program is designed to provide industry professionals with an opportunity to develop building science expertise, gain practical experience designing zero energy projects, and earn continuing education credits (CEUs). Building on the success of the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon® collegiate competition, SD Pro is targeted at early to mid-career design professionals in residential and commercial building design. The SD Pro Program, which includes a combination of online educational modules and a hands-on deep dive, is structured to increase the number of practicing design professionals and organizations capable of providing zero energy design services. The Program consists of two main components:

• Building Science Education
• Zero Energy Design Practicum.