DOE announces $54M for small business climate and energy R&D

In Washington, in support of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to build the American economy back better, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced a plan to provide $54 million for small businesses pursuing climate and energy research and development (R&D) projects as well the development of advanced scientific instrumentation through a funding opportunity announcement (FOA). Areas of interest include renewable energy, carbon management, fusion and nuclear energy, advanced grid technologies, and cybersecurity.

The SBIR and STTR programs fund a diverse portfolio of startups and small businesses across technology areas and markets to stimulate technological breakthroughs, meet Federal research and development (R&D) needs, and increase commercialization to transition R&D into impact.

Previous SBIR and STTR awardees have developed technologies such as photonic materials for solid state lighting, advanced membranes for biofuel production, portable gamma ray spectrometers for the nuclear industry, and software infrastructure to support community solar.

This funding opportunity is open to small businesses that seek initial SBIR or STTR grants to establish proof of concept of their proposed innovations. Awardees will be eligible to compete for future funding to develop working prototypes of their discoveries.