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DOE Issues Funding Opportunity Announcement "BENEFIT 2016"

Last month the Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) issued a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) entitled “Buildings Energy Efficiency Frontiers and Innovation Technologies (BENEFIT) 2016.”  It covers some pretty cool areas, including sensor applications.  There will be $20 million in federal funding available for projects in the following two areas: Innovations, focusing on early-stage topics; and Frontiers, emphasizing later-stage, roadmap-driven topics.  Read on to learn more about this funding opportunity!

Topic Areas 1 through 3 in Innovations include: “Open Topic for Energy Efficiency Solutions for Residential and Commercial Buildings,” “Human-in-the-Loop Sensor & Control Systems,” and “Infiltration Diagnostics Technologies.”  Topic Areas 4 and 5 in Frontiers are comprised of “Plug- and Play-Sensor Systems” and “Advanced Air-Sealing Technologies for Existing Buildings.”

This funding opportunity has grown significantly since it was first announced.  In an amendment filed last week, the following modifications have been implemented:

  • The total available federal funding has increased from $8 million to $20 million.
  • The number of anticipated awards has increased to approximately 17-25.
  • The submission date for Concept Papers has been pushed back one week to February 5, 2016.
  • The second informational webinar has been rescheduled to March 17, 2016.
  • EERE provided additional detail regarding building/grid interaction for Topic Areas 1, 2 and 4.
  • The submission date for Full Applications has been extended until April 19, 2016.

Pursuant to the FOA, applicants must submit all 3 “Required Application Documents” in order to be considered.  Again, interested parties must submit concept papers by February 5th so get started on your application today!

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Author

Sahir Surmeli

Member / Co-chair, Energy & Sustainability Practice

Sahir Surmeli is a Mintz business counselor who advises companies, boards, entrepreneurs, investment banks, and venture and private equity investors as they build and grow companies. He handles public offerings, 144A and private financings, acquisitions, joint ventures, and strategic partnerships.