The Opportunity: A new funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of Energy for use-inspired fundamental science to advance clean-energy technologies and low-carbon manufacturing.

The Stakeholders:

Principal investigators on two different proposals:

Claire White, Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and the Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment

Kelsey Hatzell, Assistant Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, and the Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment

The Challenge: A limited-submission funding opportunity requiring a competitive internal review process, as well as proposal development support for a two-stage application process (pre- and full proposal).

The Process: Mary Sym and Jennifer Speed provided the Dean for Research and interested PIs an analysis of the funding opportunity based on information provided in DOE-sponsored webinars and the detailed call for funding. Mary also assisted both PIs (White and Hatzell) on each of their applications, advising on specific proposal requirements and merit-review criteria provided by the agency. Mary also assisted with strategic editing of the proposals and helped develop graphical elements to produce responsive and compelling proposals.

The Outcome: Both proposals were awarded approximately $1M each over a three-year project period. These awards were part of a large, high-profile program at DOE to transform energy production and cut carbon emissions. Awardees of this funding program were announced in a DOE press release shortly after the funding decisions were made.