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["FY23 Fall Energy I-Corps Lab Call - Questions and Answers (DE-LC-000L103)\nUpdated April 28, 2023"]
["#","Date Asked","Topic","Question","Answer"]
[1,"2023-03-14","Q&A","Where are the Q&A’s posted online?","Q&As are recorded on this document and published on EERE Exchange at the following link:  https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/Default.aspx#FoaIdbc20c6fa-2b9f-4530-87cb-0d73351bfc7d "]
[2,"2023-03-14","Topics","Would you please clarify whether “award at least $500K across the three topics” means the total amount from OTT for the three topics combined or the total from OTT for each topic alone? ","OTT anticipates that the total amount of funding provided for the three topics combined will be at least $500,000. "]
[3,"2023-03-14","Topics 1 & 3","For Topics 1 and 3, the Lab Call indicates that the funding transfer will be completed in the summer of 2023.  It further states that “the proposed project or programming must be completed within FY 2023. Applications for activities in FY 2024 should be submitted to subsequent EIC labs call (subject to funding and approval)” \n\na) Does this mean that selected projects that will begin sometime in the summer after funding is transferred must be completed by September 30, 2023?  \n\nb) And if activities related to the project need to extend into FY 2024, due to the nature of the project, further funding will need to be requested through a proposal to a subsequent Lab Call?  \n\nc) If that is the case, then, any project proposed to the FY 2023 Lab Call would need to be short in duration to be completed in FY 2023, correct?  \n\nd) And if funds are not transferred until later in the summer, the scope of the project may be impacted in order for the project to be completed on time, if at all, correct?","A modification to the lab call was made on Thursday, March 30, 2023 which included changes to Topic 1: Energy I-Corps Pipeline Development “Period of Performance”, pg. 12 and Topic 3: Post Energy I-Corps Funding “Period of Performance”, pg. 23. The responses in Red below supercede the answers previously provided to Question 3.\n\na) Yes, that is correct. Proposed projects should seek to support EIC goals efficiently and effectively in FY23. However, applications with projects that expand beyond the end of FY23 will be considered.\n\nb) Yes, that is correct. Please please refer to question 3a.\n\nc) Projects proposed for Topics 1 and 3 must be completed in FY2023. Period of performance for Topic 1 is listed on page 12 of the lab call. Period of performance for Topic 3 is listed on page 23 of the lab call.  Please please refer to the response to question 3a.\n\nd) The expected date for selection notifications is Wednesday, May 31, 2023 (See Table 1 on page 6 of the lab call) and funding transfers will occur shortly after. OTT anticipates that funding will be transferred by early summer 2023."]
[4,"2023-03-14","Topic 3","Is building and testing a prototype considered a “next actionable step in technology commercialization…to facilitate…reaching their [the] next source of more substantive support” suitable for proposing to Topic 3?","Building and testing of a prototype appears to be a clear, discrete next step to commercialize technology. Details for Topic 3 begin on page 22 of the lab call. "]
[5,"2023-03-16","Topics 1 & 3","If awarded, when will funds be released and what will the duration of the funds be?","A modification to the lab call was made on Thursday, March 30, 2023 which included changes to Topic 1: Energy I-Corps Pipeline Development “Period of Performance”, pg. 12 and Topic 3: Post Energy I-Corps Funding “Period of Performance”, pg. 23. The responses in Red below supercede the answers previously provided to Question 5.\n\nSee response to Question 3d for anticipation of the fund release and response to Question 3c for duration of the funds.\n\nThe expected date for selection notifications is Wednesday, May 31, 2023 (See Table 1 on page 6 of the lab call) and funding transfers will occur shortly after. OTT anticipates that funding will be transferred by early summer 2023. Proposed projects should seek to support EIC goals efficiently and effectively in FY23. However, applications with projects that expand beyond the end of FY23 will be considered."]
[6,"2023-03-16","Topic 3","What is the expected TRL level for Topic 3 technologies?","Technologies at all TRL levels will be considered for Topic 3 funding. However, per the Topic 3 selection criteria starting on page 24, \"Teams that are closer to commercialization and teams that can articulate a clear use for the funds that have a high likelihood of achieving tangible advancement toward commercialization are most likely to receive funds. \""]
[7,"2023-03-16","Topic 3","What type of deliverables are expected for Topic 3?","Topic 3 deliverables include the final project report listed on page 22 of the lab call and the project administration and reporting listed on page 25 of the lab call."]
[8,"2023-03-16","Topic 3","A pilot example is mentioned in the lab call for Topic 3. Is the expectation to work with a new pilot partner or can applicants leverage existing funding with existing partners to further develop use-cases for deployed software?","Proposed Topic 3 projects can identify new partners or can leverage funding with existing partners, but should explain a clear, discrete next step to commercialize the technology, and explain how receiving funding will help achieve this step. Please see the Topic 3-specific langauge which begins on page 22 of the lab call for more details on eligibility and requirements of application to Topic 3.  "]
[9,"2023-03-28","Topic 1","Funding transfer will take place summer 2023, but period of performance is FY23 or end of September. Can we extend the period of performance?","Proposed projects should seek to support EIC goals efficiently and effectively in FY23. However, applications with projects that expand beyond the end of FY23 will be considered."]
[10,"2023-03-28","Topic 3","Can funds be used for prototype development or tech maturation?","Please refer to the response to question 4 regarding prototype development. For tech maturation, a more specific proposal is recommended to demonstrate a \"clear, actionable next step.\""]
[11,"2023-03-28","Topic 1","Is there a minimum amount of unspent funds from FY22 which would make applicants inelegibile for 1a?","Those without unexpected funds remaining at the lab/FFRDC are eligible for consideration under subtopic 1a. Those with unexpected funds remaining at the lab/FFRDC are eligible for Topics 1b or 1c. There are no minimal thresholds. Full details on Topic 1 Eligibility on page 11 of the lab call."]
[12,"2023-03-28","Topic 1","Topic 1 is restricted to increasing engagement in Topic 2, but our lab cannot control who is selected in Topic 2. Please explain further.","Topic 1 seeks proposals from national laboratories and FFRDCs for projects and programming that have the potential to directly increase participation in subsequent EIC Training Cohorts. More information and examples listed on page 10 of the lab call."]
[13,"2023-03-28","Topics 1 & 3","If funding is not available until summer 2023, is it reasonable to expect funds to be spent by the end of FY 2023? There may be only 1-2 months to spend the funds.","Please refer to the response to Question 9."]
[14,"2023-03-28","Topic 1"," If funding is not provided until Summer 2023, it is going to be very difficult to meet the requirement to spend all funds by end of FY23.  Can we propose a program that starts in FY23 but ends in early FY24?","Please refer to the response to Question 9."]
[15,"2023-03-28","Topic 1","Is it possible to extend the period of performance into the fall? The turn around to complete a contract and facilitate the program within a few months after selection is very challenging.","Please refer to the response to Question 9."]
[16,"2023-03-28","Topic 2","Can the PI and EL be from different national labs or FFRDCs?","It is possible that the PI and EL can come from different national labs or FFRDCs, but this is not recommended. In this case, the team must seek approvel from  both participating lab/FFRDC Tech Transfer Offices prior to submitting an application for Topic 2. A plan for where the $80K should be sent must be included as part of the narrative within the Topic 2 Microsoft Forms applicaton. More information on Topic 2 is on page 18 of the lab call. "]
[17,"2023-03-28","Topic 2","If the EL is from outside the lab/FFRDC, will their time and participation not be funded using the $80k?","All funding will be provided to the national laboratory/FFRDC as a bill code. Funding will not be transferred to external parties. Therefore, it is at the discretion of the national lab/FFRDC Tech Transfer Offices to allow participation and fund individuals outside of the national lab/FFRDC. Teams should seek approval from their Tech Transfer Office for participation of an individual outside of the national lab/FFRDC prior to submitting a Topic 2 application. More information about Topic 2 \"eligibility\" and \"Use of Funds\" on page 18 of the lab call. "]
[18,"2023-03-28","Topic 3","For Topic 3, would a proposal that benefits a group of participants be considered? For example, a follow on program offered to graduates to aid in thier continued commercailization?","Proposals that benefit a group of participants will be considered under Topic 3 if they show a clear, discrete next step to commercialize each technology.  Selection of winning proposals will be determined based on available funding and input from OTT and technical program offices. Details for Topic 3 begin on page 22 of the lab call."]
[19,"2023-04-03","Topic 3","I have an I-Corps graduate who is very interested in topic 3. They have a proposal idea but expect that the work will take longer than the FY23 deadline. Will any projects that start in FY23 and end in FY24 be considered? ","Please refer to the response to Question 9."]
[20,"2023-04-04","Topic 2","I am interested in submitting a proposal to topic 2 as an EL, the PI will not be able to attend the opening week meeting, September 11-15. Are there any exceptions to both members requiring in-person attendance? If not, could we send a substitute PI for that first week?","The PI and EL are required to attend all program events, including the in-person opening and closing session weeks. The time commitment to this program is significant for both the PI and the EL, and teams should do their best to organize their workload during the training period accordingly.\r More information about Topic 2 Team Structure on page 17 of the lab call."]
[21,"2023-04-11","Topic 3","I am a DOE Energy I-Corps program alumnus. After the program, I decided to launch a startup company. Does my startup qualify for funding under Topic 3 of the lab call?","Startup companies may only apply as a partner on an application submitted through a lab.\n\nPer page 7 of the lab call, submissions of this lab call will be accepted from personnel who have been previously identified as lab point of contacts. Additionally, all funding will be provided to the national laboratory as a bill code. Therefore, it is at the discretion of the national laboratory or FFRDC Tech Transfer Office to allow participation and fund individuals or organizations outside of the national laboratory or FFRDC.\n\nSee all applicable requirements and eligibility in the DE-LC-000L103 FY23 Fall EIC Lab Call. Detailed information on Topic 3 begins on page 22 of the lab call. \n"]
[22,"2023-04-11","Topic 1","The language in the call states:\n\"All funding will be provided to the national laboratory as a bill code. Funding will not be transferred to external parties, e.g. directly to individual laboratory staff.\"\n\nWould a proposal which includes a subcontract to a university to provide a workshop to laboratory staff be appropriate for the call?  Or is this statement saying that no subcontracts can be included and that all awarded funding must be used directly on laboratory staff?","Proposals that include subcontracts will be considered. DOE will only provide funding directly to the national lab/FFRDC. It is at the discretion of the national lab/FFRDC Tech Transfer Offices to allow participation and fund individuals/organizations outside of the national lab/FFRDC. Information regarding \"Available Funding\" is on page 7 of the lab call."]
[23,"2023-04-17","Topic 3","Will activities will be allowed to take place in FY24? The period of performance in the lab call appears to be FY23 only. However, post-covid staff shortages persist, leaving current staff with little time that has not already been allocated. Has the POP been modified such that funds obtained from this lab call would cover next step activities extending into FY24?","Please refer to the responses to Questions 5 & 9."]
[24,"2023-04-26","Topic 1 Submittal","Some of the required fields for Topic 1 seems incorrect, e.g. Topic 3 documents uploads & TRL level. What should I do? ","Even if the required field requests topic 3 documents, if you are applying for Topic 1 and are in the Topic 1 application form, submit only topic 1 documents. This may mean you upload duplicate Topic 1 documents. Please fill out the required fields as best as you can when submitting. "]