The Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) is seeking applicants to establish the National Incubator Initiative for Clean Energy (NIICE). NIICE seeks to advance three goals:
- Improve the performance of existing and new clean energy business incubators across the country by setting a high performance standard, fostering best practices, and improving coordination of the incubator community;
- Strengthen support for early-stage companies developing high-risk technologies and scaling from prototype to domestically-based production; and
- Catalyze investment in early-stage clean energy businesses by improving information regarding capital access for incubators, including disseminating analysis and materials on philanthropic funds, corporate venture, and other innovative financing mechanisms.
To accomplish these goals, NIICE is funding awards in two topic areas: (1) a national organization to serve as a coordinating body for clean energy incubators and a central source of information for clean energy stakeholders; and (2) set a benchmark to develop top-performing, clean energy-focused incubators by funding three to five incubators across the United States.
The eXCHANGE system is currently designed to enforce hard deadlines for Concept Paper and Full Application submissions. The APPLY and SUBMIT buttons automatically disable at the defined submission deadlines. The intention of this design is to consistently enforce a standard deadline for all applicants.
Applicants that experience issues with submissions PRIOR to the FOA Deadline:
In the event that an Applicant experiences technical difficulties with a submission, the Applicant should contact the eXCHANGE helpdesk for assistance (exchangehelp@hq.doe.gov). The eXCHANGE helpdesk &/or the EERE eXCHANGE System Administrators (eXCHANGE@go.doe.gov) will assist the Applicant in resolving all issues.
Applicants that experience issues with submissions that result in a late submission:
In the event that an Applicant experiences technical difficulties with a submission that results in a late submission, the Applicant should contact the eXCHANGE helpdesk for assistance (exchangehelp@hq.doe.gov). The eXCHANGE helpdesk &/or the EERE eXCHANGE System Administrators (eXCHANGE@go.doe.gov) will assist the Applicant in resolving all issues (including finalizing the submission on behalf of and with the Applicant’s concurrence). DOE will only accept late applications when the Applicant has a) encountered technical difficulties beyond their control; b) has contacted the eXCHANGE helpdesk for assistance, and c) has submitted the application through eXCHANGE within 24 hours of the FOA’s posted deadline.
A webinar was conducted by DOE to provide more information to potential applicants on March 6, 2014. Materials from the webinar, including the slides and script, can be found in the FOA Documents section below.
Title: National Incubator Initiative for Clean Energy (NIICE) FOA: Pre-Application Informational Webinar
Date: Thursday, March 6, 2014
Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM ET
Link: Reserve your Webinar seat now at: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/318108032
System Requirements
PC-based attendees
Required: Windows® 8, 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server
Mac®-based attendees
Required: Mac OS® X 10.6 or newer
Mobile attendees
Required: iPhone®, iPad®, Android™ phone or Android tablet
A webinar was conducted by DOE to provide more information to potential applicants on January 21, 2014. Slides from the webinar can be found in the FOA Documents section below.
Title: National Incubator Initiative for Clean Energy (NIICE) FOA: Pre-Concept Paper Informational Webinar
Date: Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM ET
Link: Reserve your Webinar seat now at: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/587911776
System Requirements
PC-based attendees
Required: Windows® 8, 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server
Mac®-based attendees
Required: Mac OS® X 10.6 or newer
Mobile attendees
Required: iPhone®, iPad®, Android™ phone or Android tablet