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EERE Archived Funding Opportunities

DE-FOA-0000651: SunShot Incubator Program

The SunShot Incubator program is designed to help small businesses make the leap from a great idea to the alpha/prototype phase or to the launch of their project, and thus accelerate the next generation of solar energy products into the market within a few years. Through the Incubator program, SunShot successfully leverages the expertise, capabilities, and facilities of DOE’s National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) and other national labs to support small businesses as they transition to industry.

This round of the SunShot Incubator Program is for both hardware and non-hardware solutions that reduce the cost of systems that convert solar energy into electric potential.   

The SunShot Incubator program consists of three tiers to which applications may be submitted:

Tier 1a includes awards up to $1,000,000 with a 20% cost share requirement over 12 months to accelerate the development of innovative hardware technologies from a proof of concept to a prototype.

Tier 1b includes awards up to $500,000 with a 20% cost share requirement over 12 months to accelerate the development of innovative non-hardware (soft BOS) technologies to the prototype/alpha product stage.

Tier 2 includes awards up to $4 million (anticipated award size of $1-2 million) with a 50% cost share requirement over 18 months that transition innovative hardware and non-hardware solutions into a pilot or v1.0 release and eventually full-scale deployment.


Webinar 2: This Webinar, mentioned in the FOA, will be held on May 14th from 4:00pm to 5:00pm Eastern Standard Time.   Those interested in participating in the webinar should note the following:

•         Please check this website to make sure you have the appropriate system requirements needed to join the webinar: http://www.gotomeeting.com/fec/webinar/webinar_support.

•         Register at https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/672234145 Once submitted, the participant will receive an automated email with the webinar address.   

•         Audio is available through the Internet (headset/speakers) and over the phone.  You will be able to access audio through the Webinar pop up.  Clicking on Telephone will display the call-in number, which is also found in the registration confirmation email.

Documents

  • SunShot Incubator Program - DE-FOA-0000651 (Last Updated: 2/6/2012 04:32 PM ET)
  • SunShot Incubator Program DE-FOA-0000651 Modification001 (Last Updated: 3/7/2012 04:19 PM ET)
  • SunShot Incubator Program DE-FOA-0000651 Modification002 (Last Updated: 5/9/2012 02:30 PM ET)

Previous Versions

  • Incubator_MilestonesTableTemplate (Last Updated: 2/6/2012 10:56 AM ET)
  • Incubator_Deliverable_Template_Hardware (Last Updated: 2/6/2012 10:56 AM ET)
  • Incubator_Deliverable_Template_Non-Hardware (Last Updated: 2/6/2012 10:56 AM ET)
  • PMC123_1_Detailed_Budget_Justification (Last Updated: 2/6/2012 10:56 AM ET)
  • Incubator Soft Cost Summary Slide Example (Last Updated: 2/6/2012 10:56 AM ET)
  • Guide to Indirect Rate Proposals (Last Updated: 2/6/2012 10:55 AM ET)
  • SF-424 (Last Updated: 2/6/2012 10:56 AM ET)
  • SF-424A (Last Updated: 2/6/2012 10:57 AM ET)
  • Incubator NEPA Questionnaire (Last Updated: 2/6/2012 10:55 AM ET)
  • SF-LLL (Last Updated: 2/6/2012 10:57 AM ET)

Contact Information

  • SunShot.Incubator@ee.doe.gov 
    For questions regarding the content of this announcement.  All questions must be submitted at least 3 business days prior to each submission deadline.
  • EERE-ExchangeSupport@ee.doe.gov 
    For questions regarding the submission of applications through EERE Exchange.  All questions must be submitted at least 3 business days prior to each submission 

Submission Deadlines

  • Concept Paper Submission Deadline: 4/9/2012 5:00 PM ET
  • Full Application Submission Deadline: 5/29/2012 5:00 PM ET
  • View Full Application Reviewer Comments Period: 6/27/2012 12:00 PM ET – 7/2/2012 5:00 PM ET