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US Department of Energy

Solar Desalination Round 2

Pays teams up to $1 million to build solar-thermal systems that desalinate very-high-salinity wastewater, such as water produced by oil and gas extraction.

Between cyclesUS Department of EnergyUnited States

This is the prize's second round, building on an earlier Round 1 competition. For the Teaming Contest specifically, applicants are evaluated in part on whether their team already brings the right mix of experience, expertise and access to resources to turn the concept into a working prototype, and finalists must demonstrate consistent, repeatable operation of their system, not just a one-off succeโ€ฆ

The prize wants teams developing systems that use low-cost solar-thermal energy to turn very-high-salinity water -- like oil and gas wastewater -- into clean water for municipal, agricultural or industrial use. It's open to entrepreneurs, technologists, hardware developers, engineers, solar experts and investors willing to form teams and secure private-sector partnerships and investment.

CycleiHow often this grant runs - e.g. annually, on a rolling basis, or a one-off call.No fixed schedule
Next deadlineiThe next date applications are due. Rolling means you can apply any time.-
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.-

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Guides for this application

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US Department of Energy logo
Open

Advancing Oil and Natural Gas Production and Delivery

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธDOE ยท United States

Funds technology that makes U.S. oil and gas production, infrastructure and digital operations more efficient, reliable and resilient โ€” no cost share required.

Energy Tech
$28MSep'26
US Department of Energy logo
Open

Advanced Nuclear Energy Licensing Cost-Share Grant Program

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธDOE ยท 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 โ€“ $8MSep'26
US Department of Energy logo
Open

Annual Recurring University Training and Research

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธDOE ยท 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.

$750KOct'26
US Department of Energy logo
Open

Sequestration Information

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธDOE ยท United States

Funds nothing Grants.gov actually describes โ€” the listing for this notice is a title and the single word "Notice."

US Department of Energy logo
Between cycles

DOE SBIR Phase I

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธDOE ยท United States

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AIBiotech+6
US Department of Energy logo
Between cycles

DOE SBIR Phase II

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธDOE ยท 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
DOE Solar Energy Technologies Office logo
Closed

American-Made Solar Desalination Prize

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธSETO ยท United States

Funds U.S. teams developing low-cost solar-thermal desalination systems through a multi-stage prize competition with a $1 million grand prize.

Energy TechClimate Tech+1
$1M
NSF Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships logo
Closed

STRIDE Ventures: Tech Metal Transformation Challenge

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธNSF TIP ยท United States

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

Advanced MaterialsAdvanced Manufacturing+2
$2M โ€“ $7.5M
Massachusetts Institute of Technology logo
Open

MIT Solve Global Challenges

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธMIT ยท United States

Supports teams tackling global challenges by selecting and backing scalable ideas through MIT Solve challenge pathways.

AIBiotech+3
DOE Solar Energy Technologies Office logo
Open

American-Made Community Power Accelerator Prize

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธSETO ยท United States

Funds new, emerging, and expanding U.S. solar developers growing operations to support multiple community solar projects through a DOE prize competition.

Energy TechClimate Tech
DOE Solar Energy Technologies Office logo
Open

American-Made PRIME Prize

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธSETO ยท 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
Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development logo
Open

Solar Energy Program Grants

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธPA DCED ยท United States

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Climate TechEnergy Tech+1
$1M