The Fermi Award is bestowed by the President of the United States to an individual or individuals of international stature in recognition of exceptional scientific, technical, policy, and/or management achievements related to the broad missions of the U.S. Department of Energy and its programs. Established in 1956 by President Eisenhower and the Atomic Energy Commission, the Fermi Award is given to inspire people of all ages, through the examples of Enrico Fermi, the 1938 Nobel Laureate in physics, and the Fermi Award laureates who followed in his footsteps, to explore and open new scientific and technological realms. The Fermi Award is administered on behalf of the White House by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science. A Fermi Award laureate receives:

A citation signed by the President of the United States and the Secretary of Energy;
A gold-plated medal bearing the likeness of Enrico Fermi; and
A $100,000 honorarium (if there is more than one laureate named, the honorarium is shared equally).

The Office of Science (SC) hereby announces its interest in applications to advance basic research in support of the Department of Energy’s Energy Earthshots™ initiative. This FOA is a collaborative effort across three SC research programs: Advanced Scientific Computing Research, Basic Energy Sciences, and Biological and Environmental Research. This FOA will support small teams to build the scientific foundations for the Energy Earthshots:

• Hydrogen Shot
• Long Duration Storage Shot
• Carbon Negative Shot
• Enhanced Geothermal Shot
• Floating Offshore Wind Shot
• Industrial Heat Shot

The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Competitive Program will award $8.8 million to local governments, state-recognized tribes, or teams of these communities. EECBG Program recipients can use the funding for a wide variety of projects that lower energy costs, reduce carbon emissions, improve energy efficiency, and reduce overall energy use.

Each year, we choose over 500 early-stage companies to join one of our 3-month, mentorship-driven accelerators, investing $120K and providing hands-on mentorship and access to the Techstars network for life. Techstar Accelerator locations include cities around the U.S. as well as a number of international locations. Once you’re selected for an accelerator, you’ll be part of the Techstars community for life. Expand your business and expand your network with access to a talented group of founders, investors, mentors, and industry leaders.

The program provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. Agricultural producers may also apply for new energy efficient equipment and new system loans for agricultural production and processing. With the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) has been provided over $2 billion for renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvement grants for agricultural producers and rural small business owners through 2031. Rural Development is accepting applications for six quarterly competitions with the following deadlines:

• June 30, 2023
• September 30, 2023
• December 31, 2023
• March 31, 2024
• June 30, 2024
• September 30, 2024

Key Facts:

• Free 10-week business education program focused on Black women sole proprietors
• $2,000 program stipend
• All-expense paid trips to Goldman Sachs in NYC
• Access to a powerful network of Black women entrepreneurs and strategic advisors

Participants will:

• Learn how to scale a profitable business, effectively price products/services,
• manage business finances, create loyal customers and hire for growth and more
• Develop, present, and receive feedback on a business action plan
• Attend in-person orientation and graduation sessions
• Attend online classes with built-in flexibility for their schedule
• Meet with advisors, mentors, and other business leaders

IgniteX is a DOE EPIC Prize-recognized 12-week primarily virtual program designed to empower start-ups offering scalable solutions for critical human infrastructure. Program participants partner with Black & Veatch experts to co-develop, pilot, and market their new technology. Participants receive mentorship, access to our vast industry network, product testing opportunities, pitch development coaching, investor introductions, and potential funding up to $50,000.

We help startups from around the world developing clean energy solutions achieve technical and commercial milestones that accelerate development, establish market adoption, and expand their reach by:

• Growing your business and sparking investment opportunities
• Expanding your network (Access to mentors, resources, investors, talent, potential customers, industry leaders, potential pilots, field trials, demonstration projects, and technical and commercial expertise)
• Building or refining your brand
• Perfecting your pitch
• Receiving a non-dilutive company stipend

The E-Team Program, part of the VentureWell Accelerator, supports student ventures as you embark down the path you’re likely to take as an innovator and entrepreneur. We help you advance your invention through a powerful mix of up to $25,000 in grant funding, entrepreneurship training, mentorship by dedicated staff, national recognition, and networking with peers and industry experts.

Do you have an idea that can change the world? Every year, we award over $800,000 in non-dilutive E-Team grants to early-stage innovator teams that develop scalable innovations which aim to solve a large social, health, or environmental challenge.

ASPIRE is a five-week intensive program that prepares startups for the investments and partnerships necessary to launch their venture.  Mentors-in-residence work one-on-one with startups to simulate due diligence conversations and integrate feedback into deal room materials in real-time.

The FOA provides funding for research, development, and demonstration to:

• Improve the efficiency, increase the durability, and reduce the cost of producing clean hydrogen using electrolyzers to less than $2 per kilogram by 2026
• Advance new manufacturing technologies and techniques for clean hydrogen production and use equipment, specifically for electrolyzer and fuel cell technologies
• Create innovative and practical approaches to increase the reuse and recycling of clean hydrogen and fuel cell technologies

The following topics, in two areas of interest, are included in this funding opportunity.

Area of Interest 1: Clean Hydrogen Electrolysis Program

1. Low Cost, High-Throughput Electrolyzer Manufacturing
2. Electrolyzer Component and Supply Chain Development
3. Advanced Electrolyzer Technology and Component Development

Area of Interest 2: Clean Hydrogen Manufacturing and Recycling

1. Fuel Cell Membrane Electrode Assembly and Stack Manufacturing and Automation
2. Fuel Cell Supply Chain Development
3. Recovery and Recycling Consortium