The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Office of Technology Transitions (OTT) has issued an FY18 call for applications to the Technology Commercialization Fund. DOE expects to make available approximately $18-$20 million of funding for awards under this solicitation.
Topic 1 awards will be for technology maturation and will be up to $150,000. Topic 2 awards will be for cooperative development (with a non-federal partner) and will be up to $750,000. Projects require matching non-federal funds of at least 50 percent of the total project cost (which can be in-kind for private partners).
Concept papers are due Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018, and full proposals are due Tuesday, March 27, 2018. Selection notifications will be made in summer 2018.
Applicants must register with and submit concept papers and full proposals through the Idaho National Laboratory’s online application portal. Questions about using the online application portal should be directed to TCFsubmissions@inl.gov. However, please feel free to reach out to Argonne’s Technology Commercialization and Partnerships Division (TCP) in case of questions (see specific contacts below).
To allow adequate time for a response ahead of the submission deadlines, questions to DOE about concept papers must be submitted by 9 p.m. (CST) on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2018, and questions about proposals must be submitted by 9 p.m. (CST) on Thursday, March 22, 2018.
OTT has provided an informational webinar that offers an overview of the solicitation.
TCP is available to help with proposal development and, in the case of Topic 2, identification of and engagement with commercialization partners. For assistance with a proposal, please contact David McCallum (TCP) at ext. 2-4338. For assistance with identifying and engaging with commercialization partners, please contact Hemant Bhimnathwala (TCP) at ext. 2-2354.
Argonne fared well in the FY17 TCF call, securing approximately $4.7 million of the approximately $19.7 million available funds. The goal is for Argonne to sustain or even improve upon its showing from last year.