US Energy: DOE Announces $105 Million for Small Businesses to Invest in Clean Energy Research and Development

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced $105 million in funding for small businesses to pursue the deployment of clean energy technologies, as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to building a clean energy economy and achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The projects range from energy technology and sustainable agriculture to atmospheric monitoring and carbon removal.

“As the backbone of our communities, small businesses have a big opportunity to lead the transition to a clean energy economy,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “This investment will boost innovation, foster the next generation of diverse clean energy leaders from underrepresented communities, and set up our small businesses for success as we transform and strengthen our energy infrastructure to fight climate change.”

This funding is administered by DOE’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBTT) programs to encourage participation of diverse communities in technological innovation and facilitate technology transfer between research institutions and small businesses. Under this funding opportunity, small businesses receiving awards can apply for supplemental funding for research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate entrepreneurs from underrepresented groups, including women and those from socially and economically disadvantaged communities.

The DOE’s SBIR and STTR programs fund a diverse portfolio of small businesses, including startups, across technology areas and markets relevant to DOE’s missions to stimulate technological breakthroughs, meet Federal research and development (R&D) needs, and increase commercialization by transitioning R&D into deployment. DOE awardees have reported over $1.7 billion in sales resulting from funding awards. Recently developed technologies include measurement of nanoscale chemical interactions, automation of optical connectivity in advanced data centers, and measurement of atmospheric aerosols for climate research.

This funding opportunity is open to small businesses that have previously received SBIR or STTR grants to provide additional opportunities to compete for funding to develop working prototypes of their discoveries.