Under the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs, $30 million will be made available to develop clean-energy technologies for U.S. small businesses.
U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced the funding will be used from the Recovery Act budget appropriations to support the building of a clean-energy economy. This marks the first time the Department of Energy has offered Phase III awards under these small-business programs.
“Small businesses are engines of job creation and innovation, and we need their ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit to drive a clean energy economy,” Chu said. “By helping America’s small businesses bring these innovative technologies to market, we will spur economic growth and help reduce the country’s energy use.”
According to a statement, small companies previously awarded Phase II grants through DOE’s Small Business Innovation Research program or the Small Business Technology Transfer program are eligible. Projects that include developed technologies with a strong potential for commercialization and impact on U.S. manufacturing and job creation are encouraged to apply. Successful applicants may receive up to $3 million over 3 years to research, develop and deploy new technologies.
The department is accepting applications in the areas of biomass, buildings, fuel cell, geothermal, industrial, solar, vehicle, wind, fossil, electricity and nuclear technologies.
Small business can apply for the funding through an online platform called Grants.gov.
