81.036 INVENTIONS AND INNOVATIONS |
(I&I) |
FEDERAL AGENCY |
OFFICE OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY, DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY |
AUTHORIZATION |
Federal Nonnuclear Energy Research and Development Act of 1974, Section 14, Public Law 93-577, 88 Stat. 1894, 42 U.S.C. 5913; Department of Energy Organization Act of 1977, as amended, Public Law 95-91, 42 U.S.C. 7101. |
OBJECTIVES |
To encourage the development and commercialization of energy-saving inventions by providing financial and technical assistance to projects that have a potential for significant energy savings and future commercialization markets through a competitive solicitation process. |
TYPES OF ASSISTANCE |
Project Grants; Advisory Services and Counseling; Dissemination of Technical Information. |
USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS |
The assistance provides financial assistance for research and development of innovative, energy-saving ideas and invention. Inventions and Innovations support energy efficiency and renewable energy technology development in focus areas that align with the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy programs. Further Program information can be found at http://www.eere.energy.gov/inventions. |
Applicant Eligibility |
Individuals that are U.S. citizens, either native-born or naturalized, small businesses that are U.S. owned as defined in 10 CFR 600.501. |
Beneficiary Eligibility |
Individual inventors and small businesses will benefit. |
Credentials/Documentation |
This Program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87. |
Preapplication Coordination |
This Program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102 and E.O. 12372. |
Application Procedure |
Only proposals prepared in response to the requirements contained in the annual competitive solicitation will be accepted. The application forms must be downloaded from the specific funding opportunity announcement posted on the grants.gov website at http://www.grants.gov/. |
Award Procedure |
Awards range from $50,000 in the early-stage of development to $250,000 for technologies approaching the point of prototype. Proposals will be reviewed, evaluated, and selected for grant awards by a panel of knowledgeable program and technical personnel. In addition to financial assistance, this Program offers technical guidance and commercialization support to successful applicants. |
Deadlines |
Deadlines are identified in the solicitation. |
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time |
From 90 to 120 days. |
Appeals |
Unsuccessful applicants are entitled to a debriefing by DOE program officials with a clear explanation of why the proposal was not accepted for funding. |
Renewals |
None. |
Formula and Matching Requirements |
Cost-sharing is not required, but highly encouraged. Level of cost-share is one of the programmatic selection considerations used by the selection official. |
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance |
Award project periods range from 1 to 2 years. |
Reports |
Quarterly project and financial status reports are required. A final report is required at the end of the contract period. A 10-year tracking and follow-up reporting mechanism may be required. |
Audits |
DOE may perform closing audits. |
Records |
Access to process implementation and efficiency data must be available for 10 years after project completion to measure performance against expectation and to support commercialization of the technology. |
Account Identification |
89-0203-0-1-270. |
Obligations |
FY 07 $2,753,990; FY 08 est. $144,893; and FY 09 est. not available. |
Range and Average of Financial Assistance |
Awards range from $50,000 to $250,000. |
PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS |
Since the start of the Inventions and Innovation Program in 1977 more than five hundred inventions have received financial support from DOE, with nearly 25 percent reaching the marketplace. |
REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE |
Regulations: DOE Financial Assistance Regulations 10 CFR 600. Guidelines and Literature: at http://www.eere.energy.gov/inventions. |
Regional or Local Office |
See Appendix IV of the Catalog. |
Headquarters Office |
Office of Weatherization and Intergovernmental Program, EE-2K, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585. Telephone: (877) 337-3463. |
Web Site Address |
http://www.eere.energy.gov/inventions/ and http://www1.eere.energy.gov |
RELATED PROGRAMS |
None. |
EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS |
Examples of funded projects may be accessed at http://www.eere.energy.gov/inventions under the I&I Funded Projects section. |
CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS |
Uniqueness, technical feasibility, marketability, energy relationship (including energy savings). |
General Services Administration Office of Chief Acquisition Officer Regulatory and Federal Assistance Division (VIR) |