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US Department of Energy

American-Made Challenges: Perovskite Startup Prize

Paid new US for-profit companies cash and lab vouchers to move perovskite solar-cell research out of the lab and into commercial manufacturing.

ClosedUS Department of EnergyUnited States

Teams got more than money: during the Countdown Contest, competitors could draw on the American-Made Network, a pool of national laboratories, investors and industry experts, for connections and technical help while developing their business. The Power Up Prize was not part of the original design -- DOE added it later as a $40,000 consolation track for teams with a promising idea that was not quit…

The prize targeted new, for-profit US companies working to commercialize perovskite solar cell and module technology β€” moving lab-stage research toward viable manufacturing. Teams needed both strong technical talent and business expertise, with a plan to build a solar-manufacturing company capable of bringing marketable perovskite products to the United States.

CycleiHow often this grant runs - e.g. annually, on a rolling basis, or a one-off call.Rolling
Next deadlineiThe next date applications are due. Rolling means you can apply any time.Rolling
Decision timeiTypical time from the deadline to the funder's decision.-
Project durationiHow long the funded work is expected to run.-
Award typeiThe form of funding - grant, equity, loan, tax credit, etc.Prize
Match fundingiThe share of project costs you must cover yourself. 0% = fully funded.-
Funding pooliThe total budget available across all awards in this round.$3M

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Guides for this application

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US Department of Energy logo
Between cycles

DOE SBIR Phase I

πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡ΈDOE Β· United States

Funds U.S. for-profit small businesses establishing technical feasibility of innovative technologies across DOE priority areas including advanced manufacturing, critical materials, and quantum information science.

AIBiotech+6
US Department of Energy logo
Between cycles

DOE SBIR Phase II

πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡ΈDOE Β· United States

Funds U.S. small businesses advancing energy and science technologies from proven feasibility into prototype development through DOE's Phase II SBIR award.

Energy TechAdvanced Materials+8
US Department of Energy logo
Between cycles

Advanced Nuclear Energy Licensing Cost-Share Grant Program

πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡ΈDOE Β· United States

Funds the cost-shared work of licensing advanced nuclear reactor designs, open to companies, universities, nonprofits and local and tribal governments.

Energy Tech
$5K – $8M
US Department of Energy logo
Between cycles

Annual Recurring University Training and Research

πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡ΈDOE Β· United States

Funds early-stage research and training for engineering and science students at U.S. colleges, awarded every year by DOE's national energy lab.

$1 – $750K
US Department of Energy logo
Between cycles

Community Power Accelerator Prize

πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡ΈDOE Β· United States

Pays U.S. community solar developers cash across three phases from a $10 million pool.

Energy TechClimate Tech
$200K
US Department of Energy logo
Between cycles

Community Power Accelerator Prize β€” Round 2

πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡ΈDOE Β· United States

Pays U.S. community solar developers cash across three phases from a $10 million pool.

Energy TechClimate Tech
$200K
DOE Industrial Technologies Office (ITO) logo
Closed

Industrial Energy Storage Systems Prize β€” Phase 3: Validate

πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡ΈDOE ITO Β· United States

Funds teams demonstrating prototype industrial energy storage systems through a DOE prize challenge for validated scalability.

Energy TechAdvanced Manufacturing+2
$400K
DOE Solar Energy Technologies Office logo
Discontinued

American-Made Solar Prize

πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡ΈSETO Β· United States

Funds U.S. entrepreneurs advancing early-stage solar manufacturing prototypes through a DOE prize competition under the American-Made Challenges program.

Energy TechAdvanced Manufacturing+1
NSF Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships logo
Closed

STRIDE Ventures: Tech Metal Transformation Challenge

πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡ΈNSF TIP Β· United States

Funds United States solutions that recover critical metals from waste and industrial residues through applied research.

Advanced MaterialsAdvanced Manufacturing+2
$2M – $7.5M
DOE Industrial Technologies Office (ITO) logo
Closed

Industrial Energy Storage Systems Prize β€” Phase 2

πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡ΈDOE ITO Β· United States

Funds teams advancing cost-effective industrial energy storage concepts through a proof-of-concept prototype stage of a DOE prize challenge.

Energy TechAdvanced Manufacturing+1
$200K
DOE Industrial Technologies Office (ITO) logo
Closed

DOE Industrial Energy Storage Systems Prize β€” Phase 1: Design

πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡ΈDOE ITO Β· United States

Funds teams designing cost-effective industrial energy storage concepts through a DOE prize competition for thermal and electric storage at industrial scale.

Energy TechAdvanced Manufacturing+3
$100K
DOE Solar Energy Technologies Office logo
Closed

American-Made PRIME Prize

πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡ΈSETO Β· United States

Funds U.S. solar manufacturers and innovators registering photovoltaic modules and inverters with the EPEAT ecolabel through a prize competition.

Energy TechAdvanced Manufacturing+1
$50K – $400K