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EERE Archived Funding Opportunities

DE-FOA-0000607: SunShot Incubator Program - Soft Cost Reduction

The concept paper application deadline has been extended to JAN 17 at 5pm.

The SunShot Incubator program is designed to help small businesses transition to make the leap from great idea, to the alpha/prototype phase, to the v1.0 launch of their project, and thus accelerate the next generation of solar energy products to 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 has been specifically designed to address soft cost reductions; proposals for hardware-related solutions will not be accepted.  Though the focus of this round of funding is different than previous rounds, the main program goals and structure remain the same.  That is, the SunShot Incubator Program will continue its aim to advance innovative solutions on a fixed payment schedule based on verifiable deliverables.

The SunShot Incubator program consists of two Tiers to which applications may be submitted:

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

Tier 2 includes awards up to $5 million (anticipated award size of $1-2 million) with a 50% cost share requirement over 18 months that transition innovative alpha systems/solutions into a pilot/v1.0 release and eventually full-scale deployment.

WEBINAR 1:  This Webinar, mentioned in the FOA, will be held on December 9th from 4:30pm to 5:30pm Eastern Standard Time.   Those interested in participating in the webinar should note the following:
  • 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.
WEBINAR 2:  The second webinar mentioned in the FOA will be held on February 21st from 4:00pm to 5:00pm Eastern Standard Time.   Those interested in participating in the webinar must register at https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/705284601.  The participant will receive an automated email with the webinar address after they have registered.  The system requirements and audio capabilities are described under the “Webinar 1” section above.

Documents

  • SUNSHOT INCUBATOR PROGRAM - SOFT COST REDUCTION (Last Updated: 1/11/2012 05:36 PM ET)
  • Modification 001 (Last Updated: 11/17/2011 03:31 PM ET)
  • Modification 002 (Last Updated: 12/2/2011 05:05 PM ET)
  • Modification 003 (Last Updated: 12/19/2011 11:47 AM ET)
  • Modification 004 (Last Updated: 1/11/2012 05:33 PM ET)
  • Modification 005 (Last Updated: 2/21/2012 02:53 PM ET)

Previous Versions

  • SF-424 (Last Updated: 11/8/2011 05:36 PM ET)
  • SF-LLL (Last Updated: 11/8/2011 05:37 PM ET)
  • SF-424A (Last Updated: 11/8/2011 05:37 PM ET)
  • Incubator NEPA Questionnaire (Last Updated: 11/10/2011 12:24 PM ET)
  • Guide to Indirect Rate Proposals (Last Updated: 11/10/2011 05:36 PM ET)
  • Incubator Soft Cost Summary Slide (Last Updated: 11/15/2011 12:41 PM ET)
  • Incubator_Deliverable_Template_Non-Hardware_Revised (Last Updated: 2/21/2012 02:53 PM ET)
  • MilestonesTableTemplate_NonHardware_Revised (Last Updated: 2/21/2012 02:54 PM ET)
  • PMC123_1_Detailed_Budget_Justification (Last Updated: 2/21/2012 02:54 PM 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 deadline.

Submission Deadlines

  • Concept Paper Submission Deadline: 1/17/2012 5:00 PM ET
  • Full Application Submission Deadline: 3/5/2012 5:00 PM ET
  • View Full Application Reviewer Comments Period: 3/26/2012 5:00 PM ET – 3/28/2012 6:00 PM ET