Grants for Private institutions of higher education - Energy

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 support@Grants.gov. 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.

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

This funding opportunity supports various mentoring and intervention programs aimed at reducing violence and fostering positive relationships among youth and families in the community.

This initiative provides up to $10 million in prizes to innovators developing advanced LED lighting solutions that improve energy efficiency, quality, and accessibility for commercial use.

This program recognizes and rewards individuals, organizations, and students in Raleigh for their outstanding efforts in environmental stewardship, sustainability, and climate action.

This funding opportunity supports U.S. and Japanese organizations in creating innovative projects that strengthen U.S.-Japan relations through public engagement in areas like security, democracy, and entrepreneurship.

U.S. Mission China announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a Cleantech Business Case Competition to be held in East China (Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang or Anhui provinces). This program will seek and identify concrete ways to promote the business case for clean technology by holding a business plan competition for students to share innovative clean technology ideas. Participating students should be able to demonstrate business cases based on innovative ideas in clean technology and showcase ways to realize the development and deployment of those ideas.

This program provides financial support to businesses, nonprofits, and public entities in Ohio for energy efficiency projects that reduce energy costs and emissions while creating or retaining jobs.

This grant provides funding to organizations and institutions to develop a comprehensive maritime strategy for Michigan that promotes sustainability, equity, and environmental justice in the state's shipping and boating sectors.

This grant provides funding for individuals and organizations to develop innovative energy storage solutions that cater to unique applications in underserved communities and extreme climates, promoting grid modernization and reliability.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for clean energy projects in rural and remote areas, targeting communities with 10,000 residents or fewer to reduce energy costs and improve access to sustainable energy solutions.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is offering the AGRI Value-Added Grant, a reimbursement grant ranging from $100,000 to $500,000, to support value-added businesses such as bioenergy producers and hemp processors in increasing sales of Minnesota agricultural products through investment in equipment, production capacity, market diversification, and market access.