Lewis-Burke Associates LLC – July 5, 2011
As previously reported by Lewis-Burke Associates LLC, the Administration has launched a new Advanced Manufacturing Partnership initiative which seeks to promote economic growth and development through a robust U.S. manufacturing sector. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently announced its financial contribution to the initiative: $120 million over the next three years for research and development of innovative manufacturing processes and materials. Backed by DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), the solicitation seeks to reduce high levels of industrial energy consumption by supporting transformational manufacturing and materials technologies with a goal of doubling U.S. industrial energy productivity.
Details of the funding opportunity follow.
Restrictions: This solicitation will fund projects at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 2-6 and does not support basic research.
· TRL 2: Applied Research
· TRL 3: Critical Function or Proof of Concept Established
· TRL 4: Laboratory Testing/Validation of Component(s)/Process(es)
· TRL 5: Laboratory Testing of Integrated/Semi-Integrated System
· TRL 6: Prototype System Verified
Topic Areas: This solicitation does not address a specific manufacturing process, technology or sector but seeks projects in two topic areas: Innovative Manufacturing Processes and Innovative Materials.
· Innovative Manufacturing Processes. This topic area seeks projects for new manufacturing processes and materials in areas such as: reactions and separations; high-temperature processing; waste heat minimization and recovery; and sustainable manufacturing.
· Innovative Materials. This topic area seeks projects that can reduce energy consumption through new, innovative materials including areas such as: thermal and degradation resistant materials; highly-functional, high-performance materials; and lower cost materials for energy systems.
Total Awards and Funding: DOE EERE anticipates providing approximately $120 million for the activities supported by this solicitation. Funding is expected to begin in fiscal year (FY) 2012 with additional allocations made in FY 2013 and FY 2014. Funding is subject to appropriations and will support 35-50 awards. There is no predetermined goal for number of awards by topic or TRL. TRL 2-3 projects will receive a maximum of $1 million from DOE. TRL 4-6 projects will receive a maximum of $9 million from DOE.
Application Deadlines: Letters of Intent are required, and are due August 1. Full Applications are due August 25.
For Applicants: Applicants may submit more than one application under one or more topics. Additionally, applications should indicate how the technology will eventually transition into commercial markets as well as identify the technical barriers and critical R&D paths for developing a commercial application or product. Applicants are encouraged to form teams or collaborations. Eligible applicants include institutions of higher education; National Laboratories; nonprofit and for-profit private entities; State and local governments; and consortia of entities.
Additional information about this FOA, including the full solicitation, can be found at: https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/.