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["FY26 Spring Energy I-Corps Lab Call - Questions and Answers (DE-LC-000L127)"]
["Updated October 14, 2025 "]
["#","Date Received","Topic","Question","Answer"]
[1,"2025-09-24","Topics 1 & 3","Will OTC provide the instructions on which Exchange fields need to be completed when submitting Topic 1 & Topic 3 submissions? ","Yes. A document titled \"EERE_Exchange_Submission_Instructions\" has been publised to Exchange under the \"Documents\" section. "]
[2,"2025-09-24","Topic 2","Does the PI have to be an inventor?  Essentially can another subject matter expert serve as a PI?","The PI does not have to be the inventor of the technology. Please see Team Structure on page 16 of the lab call."]
[3,"2025-09-24","Topic 2","For Topic 2, can the PI and EL be a single individual, or is this not recommended?","An individual team member is NOT allowed to fulfill multiple team roles (i.e., the PI cannot also be the EL). For more information, please see \"Team Structure on  page 16 of the lab call. "]
[4,"2025-09-24","Topic 2","Do Topic 2 Entrepreneurial Leads (ELs) require any previous experience?","No. The EL is expected to lead the team in coordinating stakeholder interviews, delivering team presentations, and developing the business model canvas. Prior entrepreneurial experience is not required. For more information, please see \"Team Structure on  page 16 of the lab call. "]
[5,"2025-09-24","All Topics","Will a copy of the informational webinar recording be made available? ","Yes. A link to the informational webinar recording has been published to Exchange under the \"Webinar Details\" section. "]
[6,"2025-09-24","Topic 3","How many participants can be included in a Topic 3 submission?","Topic 3 does not have a team member limit or requirement. Please see \"Eligibility - Topic 3\" on page 23 of the lab call. "]
[7,"2025-09-24","Topics 2 & 3","Is the $100k funding for Topics 2/3 directly from OTC with additional funding from the relevant DOE program office? or is the $100k from the relevant DOE program office?","Selected Topic 2 teams receive $100,000 to fund their participation in the cohort. DOE program offices and partner agencies, including OTC, review and select Topic 2 projects. Topic 3 proposed projects can request funding up to $100,000. Topic 3 applications will be assessed and reviewed by individual non-OTC DOE program offices and partner agencies for their selections and funding. Please see the funding limits per topic listed in \"Table 2: Available Funding for Spring 2026 Energy I-Corps Lab Call\" on page 8 of the lab call. "]
[8,"2025-09-24","Topic 2","What is the incentive for the industry mentor to participate? What does the IM stand to gain by participating?","Potential incentives for industry mentors include early access to innovation, networking opportunities, influence on technology development, help building your brand building, professional development, and market intelligence. For more information, visit https://www.energy.gov/technologycommercialization/get-involved-energy-i-corps. "]
[9,"2025-09-24","Topic 1","Is Intellectual Property (IP) required to apply for Topic 1?","IP is not a requirement for Topic 1 applications. Topic 1 proposals should have the potential to increase participation in future EIC training cohorts. Please see page 9 of the lab call for examples of previously funded Topic 1 projects."]
[10,"2025-09-24","Topic 2","Is Intellectual Property (IP) required to apply for Topic 2?","Topic 2 applications should identify a specific technology which will guide the team's participation in the training cohort. Prior to submitting a Topic 2 application, each team should consult the Tech Transfer Office at their lab, plant, or site to understand what intellectual property (IP) has been generated, and the current status. If selected, technology descriptions will be published to the DOE website and the technology attributes will be discussed with external partners. It is the responsibility of the laboratory to ensure it has the necessary IP rights in the technology to support the team during the EIC training, including any market pathways or other opportunities for the technology identified as part of the program."]
[11,"2025-09-24","Topic 3","Is Intellectual Property (IP) required to apply for Topic 3?","IP is not a requirement for Topic 3 applications. However, only teams or individuals who have successfully completed EIC Topic 2 or NSF I-Corps training with a DOE technology may participate in Topic 3."]
[12,"2025-09-24","All Topics","Are technologies which have pending patents eligible?","Please see response to questions 9, 10, and 11. "]
[13,"2025-09-24","Topic 2","Regarding citizens of foreign countries, would people with dual citizenship (US plus a foreign country of risk) be eligible to participate in Cohort 22?","Yes. Please see Eligibility - Topic 2 on page 15 of the lab call. Applicants with foreign citizenship may be subject to additional review. "]
[14,"2025-09-25","Topic 2","Is a Chinese citizen that is a permanent U.S. resident eligible to apply? ","Yes. Please see Eligibility - Topic 2 on page 15 of the lab call. Applicants with foreign citizenship may be subject to additional review. "]
[15,"2025-10-14","Topic 2","Within Appendix D: Topic 2 Application of the lab call, question #24 states \"24. Please select the technology category that best describes your project (select from list).\" What are the technology categories to select from?","The Cohort 22 application form will allow applicants to select from the following technology categories list:\nBiofuels & Biomaterials, Carbon Capture, Utilization & Sequestration (CCUS), Construction Innovation, Crop Inputs/Nutrition, Cybersecurity, \tData Infrastructure, Demand Response, Electric Vehicles & Charging, Energy Analysis Tools, Energy Efficiency & Reduction, Energy Storage/Thermal Energy, Grid Technologies, Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC), Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Technologies, IoT/Sensors, Lighting, New Crops/Genetics, Nuclear, Polymers & Membranes, Robotics/Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), Smart Glass/Coatings, Solar PV/Solar Thermal, Sustainable Finance, Waste & Recycling, Wave/Marine Power, \tWind Power, or Other."]