The assistance provides evaluation of energy-related
concepts, limited funding assistance, and non-financial assistance such as
business development and commercialization planning through a network of
national and regional resource providers. Grantee may petition for waiver of
government patent rights. No equity capital is provided. Further Program
information may be found at www.oit.doe.gov/inventions.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Applicant Eligibility:
Individuals that are U.S. citizens, either native-born or naturalized, small
businesses (as defined by the Small Business Administration) that are U.S.
owned as defined in 10 CFR 600.501, and institutions of higher learning
located in the U.S. Individual inventors and very small businesses (15 or
fewer employees) are especially encouraged to participate.
Beneficiary Eligibility:
Individual inventors, small businesses, and institutions of higher learning
will benefit.
Credentials/Documentation:
This Program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.
APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS:
Pre-application Coordination:
This Program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102 and E.O.
12372.
Application Procedure:
Proposals should be prepared to respond to the details contained in the annual
solicitation. This Program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No.
A-110.
Award Procedure: The size
of the federal grant awards range up to $40,000 for category 1 applications,
proposals at the conceptual stage of an idea, and up to $200,000 for category
2 applications, proposals at the developmental stage of an idea. Proposals
will be reviewed, evaluated, and selected for grant awards by a panel of
knowledgeable program and technical personnel. In addition to financial
assistance, this Program offers technical guidance and commercialization
support to successful applicants.
Deadlines: Applications are
due on the date and time specified in the annual solicitation.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:
The range is from 90 to 120 days from the close of the solicitation to the
award announcement.
Appeals: Unsuccessful
applicants are entitled to a debriefing by DOE program officials with a clear
explanation of why the proposal was not accepted for funding.
Renewals: None.
ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:
Formula and Matching Requirements:
Cost-sharing is not required, but highly encouraged. Level of cost-share is
one of the programmatic selection considerations used by the selection
official.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:
Each award may cover a project period of up to 1 year for category 1
applications and up to 2 years for category 2 applications.
POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Reports: Quarterly project and
financial status reports are required. A final report is required at the end
of the contract period. A 10-year tracking and follow-up reporting mechanism
may be required.
Audits: DOE may perform
closing audits.
Records: Access to process
implementation and efficiency data must be available for 10 years after
project completion to measure performance against expectation and to support
commercialization of the technology.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
Account Identification:
89-0203-0-1-270.
Obligations: (Grants) FY 01
$2,400,000; FY 02 est $2,900,000; and FY 03 est $2,900,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance:
Past awards average $83,000.
PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
Since the start of the Inventions and Innovation Program
in 1977 more than five hundred inventions have received financial support from
DOE, with nearly 25 percent reaching the marketplace.
REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:
Regulations: DOE Financial Assistance Regulations 10 CFR
600. Guidelines and Literature: "Inventions and Innovations Program"
- brochure available from the Golden Field Office, 1617 Cole Blvd., Golden, CO
80401. Further program information is available at http://www.oit.doe.gov/inventions.
INFORMATION CONTACTS:
Regional or Local Office: See
Appendix IV of the Catalog.
Headquarters Office: Lisa
Barnett, Office of Industrial Technologies, (EE-23), Department of Energy,
1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585. Telephone: (202)
586-2212.
Web Site Address:
http://www.oit.doe.gov/inventions
EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:
Examples of funded projects may be accessed at http://www.oit.doe.gov/inventions
under the I&I Funded Projects section.
CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:
Uniqueness, technical feasibility, marketability, energy
relationship (including energy savings.
