The recent passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), together with existing legislation such as the 2008 Farm Bill, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, and the Energy Policy Act of 2005, has created unprecedented opportunities for renewable energy and clean technology companies to obtain funding from the federal government for a wide variety of energy and environmental projects. A summary of the major funding opportunities announced by the federal government during the last week can be viewed by clicking on the following links:
Funding under these programs will be awarded on a competitive basis and under tight application deadlines. Applications must contain detailed information regarding an applicant's proposal, and actual funding awards require the negotiation of detailed documentation similar to that used in complex project financings.
WilmerHale's Energy and Clean Technology practice group has extensive experience in the areas of public policy, government contracting, project finance and development, and energy regulation. We are uniquely positioned to expertly advise renewable energy and clean technology companies on the complex issues and opportunities that arise in connection with these federal funding opportunities, and to assist companies in both obtaining government funding and successfully developing their projects.
CLEAN TRANSPORTATION
Clean Cities FY09 Petroleum Reduction Technologies Projects for the Transportation Sector. Modifications related to application content and submission requirements were made this week to the Clean Cities program.
Current application deadline: Varies depending on topic area
For details, click here.
To view a full summary of the Clean Cities program, click here.
OTHER RENEWABLE AND CLEAN TECHNOLOGIES
NSF Sensors and Sensing Systems (SSS). NSF will award grants for research on methods to acquire and use sensor data on civil, mechanical and manufacturing systems, and for fundamental research on advanced actuators, sensors, wireless sensor networks, new materials and concepts for sensing applications, power generation and energy supply for sensors and sensing systems. A recently funded project relating to clean technology and energy includes development of a device that uses innovative design to optimize power harvesting and step-up voltage conversion efficiency.
Current application deadline: October 1, 2009
For details, click here and here.
Smart Grid Information Clearinghouse. The National Energy Technology Laboratory will award $1,250,000 for the development, management and maintenance of a Smart Grid Information Clearinghouse website. The website will contain technical, legislative and other information on Smart Grid development and practices, and will serve as a decision support tool for both state and federal regulators and as a public forum for information outreach to all interested parties.
Current application deadline: April 6, 2009
For details, click here.
Innovative and Advanced Technologies and Protocols for MVA, Simulation and Risk Assessment of Carbon Dioxide Sequestration in Geologic Formations. The National Energy Technology Laboratory will award grants for research focused on development and successful application of innovative, advanced technology and protocols for: (1) monitoring, verification and accounting (MVA) of CO2 sequestration in geologic formations; (2) simulating the behavior of geologically-sequestered CO2; and (3) conducting risk assessments associated with geologic CO2 sequestration activity.
Current application deadline: May 12, 2009
For details, click here.
NSF Integrative, Hybrid and Complex Systems Program. This program provides discretionary support for systems-oriented activities that integrate physical devices and components with computational intelligence and networks. The program supports a variety of domain-specific applications in environment, transportation, manufacturing and other systems-related areas, such as robust electric power grids integrating power, communication and self-organizing networks.
Current application deadline: October 7, 2009
For details, click here and here.
NSF NanoManufacturing Program. Approximately $300,000 (in total) is available for research and education on nanotechnology and nanomanufacturing, with special emphasis on environmental, health and societal aspects.
Current application deadline: October 1, 2009
For details, click here and here.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS
Conservation Innovation Grants-Vermont. Through a statewide competitive process in Vermont, the Natural Resources Conservation Service will award approximately five grants of up to $75,000 each for the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies in the State of Vermont. Funding is available for several categories of projects, including farm and forest energy production. Other states also have begun to announce similar awards.
Current application deadline: May 11, 2009. Proposals must be reviewed in advance by the state conservationist.
For details, click here and here.
NSF Environmental Implications of Emerging Technologies Program. Discretionary funding is being made available--with an anticipated average annual award of $80,000--for research to test, characterize, monitor and understand the environmental effects of new technologies, such as nanotechnology, biotechnology and information technology. Innovative production processes, waste reduction, recycling and industrial ecology technologies are of interest.
Current application deadline: September 15, 2009
For details, click here and here.
NSF Manufacturing Enterprise Systems Program. This program provides discretionary support for research on design, planning and control of operations in manufacturing enterprises. For example, the University of Florida recently received an award to assess the residual economic and environmental value of end-of-life products.
Current application deadline: October 1, 2009
For details, click here and here.
Coastal and Marine Habitat Restoration Project Grants-Recovery Act. NOAA anticipates that up to $170 million may be available for coastal and marine habitat restoration; typical awards are expected to range between $1.5 million to $10 million. Eligible activities will contribute to the return of degraded or altered habitats to a close approximation of their function prior to disturbance, create buffers or "green infrastructure" to protect coastal communities from sea level rise, storms and flooding, or provide adaptation to climate change.
Current application deadline: April 6, 2009
For details, click here.
Climate Modeling: Simulating Climate at Regional Scale. DOE will award grants for research relating to simulation of global and large-scale features of climate change. Innovative and high risk research with the potential to lead to breakthroughs in modeling of climate at ultra-high spatial resolutions is encouraged.
Current application deadline: April 27, 2009
For details, click here.
