Department of Energy Announces Funding for Nationwide Student-Focused Clean Energy Business Competitions

Washington, D.C. - As part of the Obama Administration's effort to support and empower the next generation of American clean energy entrepreneurs, U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced $2 million in available funding for the National University Clean Energy Business Challenge. This nationwide initiative will create a network of regional student-focused clean energy business creation competitions whose winners will compete for a National Grand Prize at a completion held at the Department of Energy in Washington, D.C. in early summer 2012. The funding will support up to six regional competitions that will inspire, mentor, and train students from across the country to develop successful business plans to create a new generation of American clean energy companies. These regional competitions will take place before May 1, 2012. This national initiative will enable student participants to gain the skills required to build new businesses and transform promising innovative energy technologies from U.S. universities and national laboratories into innovative new energy products that will to solve our nation's energy challenges, spur business creation, create American jobs, and boost American competitiveness.

This funding opportunity announcement (FOA) will consider applications that propose annual U.S. university-based business creation competitions for student entrepreneurs with business ideas in energy efficiency and renewable energy. Student teams that participate in the competitions will work with experienced mentors from the energy industry and start up community, along with university and national lab-based researchers, to develop creative business plans for transforming ground-breaking energy technologies into high impact market solutions. The FOA has been posted to FedConnect and is available under the reference number "DE-FOA-0000570." Applications are due on August 22, 2011. Selections are expected to be made before the end of September 2011.

This initiative, facilitated by the Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), aims to increase the number and quality of start-up businesses created with university-based energy technologies and to promote a new generation of energy entrepreneurs. The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy invests in clean energy technologies that strengthen the economy, protect the environment, and reduce dependence on foreign oil.

DEP Seeks Applications for Watershed Protection, Surface Mining Conservation and Reclamation Project Funding

Application Deadline is Aug. 26

The Department of Environmental Protection announced today that grant applications are now being accepted for watershed protection and restoration and Surface Mining Conservation and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) projects under the Growing Greener Plus program, which allows applicants to seek funding for a variety of projects through a single application process.

“We are glad to provide whatever support we can to local communities and watershed groups to fund projects that enhance and protect Pennsylvania’s water quality,” DEP Secretary Mike Krancer said. “That includes projects that address mining land reclamation and acid mine drainage treatment systems, stream bank improvements and agricultural best-management practices.”

In this round of grants, DEP will invest in projects that protect watersheds from impairment due to nonpoint source pollution or that will restore damaged waterways. Examples of priority areas include restoration activities to reduce pollutant load in impaired watersheds for which Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) have been developed, projects located in “priority” watersheds to reduce the source of impairment and “priority” activities that lead to water quality restoration and protection.

Eligible projects should be aimed at reducing nonpoint source pollution in watersheds where streams are impaired, implementing agricultural and stormwater best management practices, developing a hydrologic unit plan or qualified hydrologic unit for mining-related projects in watersheds and supporting the establishment of riparian buffers, among other goals.

Through the same process, applicants can also apply for funding through the department’s SMCRA grant program and Section 319 nonpoint source grant program. Section 319 grants focus on funding projects similar to Growing Greener but with special emphasis on targeted watersheds.

Eligible applicants for watershed protection and 319 grants are counties, authorities and other municipalities; county conservation districts; councils of governments; DEP-recognized watershed organizations that promote local watershed conservation efforts; and other authorized organizations involved in restoring and protecting the environment.

Municipalities, municipal authorities and incorporated non-profit organizations are eligible for SMCRA grants.

Applications must be postmarked no later than Aug. 26. If hand-delivered, DEP’s Grants Center must receive application packages by 4 p.m. that day. Late submissions will not be considered.

The Environmental Stewardship Fund, which supports the Growing Greener Watershed Protection Grant Program, is funded through municipal waste disposal fees.

For more information on Growing Greener or to request an application package, email GrowingGreener@state.pa.us, call 717-705-4500 or visit DEP’s website at www.depweb.state.pa.us, keyword: Growing Greener.

Conferences, Outreach, and Networking For New Energy Communities and Technologies (CONNECT)

By law, ARPA-E is required to spend at least 5 percent of its appropriated funds on technology transfer and outreach activities. ARPA-E seeks to support energy technology conferences, workshops, and other events that will involve the exchange or dissemination of technical data and information, the transfer of advanced energy technologies to the private sector, the education of targeted audiences about energy technologies and their potential impact(s), the promotion of investment or business opportunities for advanced energy technologies, and the formation of new partnerships, collaborations, and networks among energy researchers, technologists, entrepreneurs, and investors. ARPA-E also seeks to support student participation in energy conferences and other events in order to educate the next generation of energy researchers and technologists, attract researchers and technologists to energy-related fields and disciplines, and connect students with entities involved in the development and deployment of advanced energy technologies.

ARPA-E will accept applications on a continuous, rolling basis. ARPA-E will review applications on a quarterly basis. Please refer to the FOA for applicable quarterly deadlines.

FOA Documents

• CONNECT FOA_06.30.2011