U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu has announced that $37 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will be made available to qualified small businesses through the department's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.
The SBIR and STTR programs target U.S. companies with fewer than 500 employees. Small businesses with strong research capabilities in science or engineering are encouraged to apply.
Applications are currently being accepted for topic areas related to improving energy efficiency, including advanced building air conditioning and refrigeration, thermal load shifting and cool roofs; power plant cooling; smart controllers for smart grid applications; advanced solar technologies; advanced industrial technologies development; and advanced manufacturing processes.
The deadline for submission of applications is Sept. 4 at 8:00 p.m. EDT. Approximately $8.5 million is expected to be available for new Phase I awards.
Successful applicants may receive up to $150,000 for a Phase I grant for a period of six months to demonstrate the feasibility of the ideas that appear to have commercial potential.Â
SOURCE: U.S. Department Of Energy
