Innovating for Tomorrow: Solar Innovation Prize & Department of Energy Request for Information

In this week’s edition of The Business Pulse, presented by World Business Chicago, we provided updates and information from our Public Sector Investment Strategy Team. This dedicated group of professionals supports vital projects seeking public funding and fosters strategic partnerships to propel sustainable growth and innovation. We are excited to highlight several key funding opportunities in solar innovation and energy financing.

Public Sector Investment Strategy Updates:

• We recently connected with Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership colleagues to discuss opportunities related to the NSF Convergence Accelerator
• We amplified Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) tax credits and other incentives, including the Industrial Assessment Center (IAC) Program at the North Branch Works Manufacturing Summit
• And, we made connection points with the Department of Energy (DOE)’s Loan Program Office (LPO) Title 17 Clean Energy Financing Program and conversations with the City of Chicago, regional, state, and federal partners

Explore Our New Grant Opportunities Tracker: Weekly Updates on Economic Development Prospects Across Key Industry Sectors in Chicagoland.

Funding Opportunity Highlight: Solar Prize

DOE, Solar Prize Round 8

The American-Made Solar Prize Round 8 is a multimillion-dollar prize competition designed to energize U.S. solar innovation through a series of contests that accelerate the entrepreneurial process from years to months. Competitors leverage the American-Made Network, our innovation engine of more than 475 organizations, including world-class experts at the U.S. Department of Energy’s 17 national labs, clean tech accelerators, incubators, universities, facilities, and more.

• The Solar Prize fosters rapid development of innovative solar energy solutions to address challenges and expand and increase the competitiveness of the domestic solar industry.
• Up to $650,000 total, based on success in various contest stages.
• Applications are due on September 26, 2024.

Request for Information Opportunity

The DOE recently released a Request for Information (RFI) about chemistry and process innovations for domestic manufacturing of electric vehicle batteries. 

What are RFIs and why are they important? 

RFIs preview potential funding opportunities under discussion and allow potential applicants and partners the opportunity to provide input; helping to shape these incentives.

This particular RFI is intended to inform the creation of a new Advanced Research Projects Agency for Energy (ARPA-E) program. Entities that work on cathode active materials (CAMs) and electric vehicle manufacturing should consider submitting their input to this RFI.

We dedicate The Business Pulse, on the last Thursday of every month, to providing essential information, resources, and direct links to available grants and funding opportunities. This section, curated by our Public Sector Investment Strategy Team, is designed to support startups, businesses, and organizations with the necessary tools for growth and innovation.

• Interested in discussing a funding opportunity?
• Want to hear more about how we may be able to help you?

Reach out to the World Business Chicago PSIS team: psis@worldbusinesschicago.com