MIT Energy Initiative (MITEI) Seed Fund Program
Application deadline – July 16, 2009
Funding available | Key dates | Eligibility | Application process | Selection process | Conditions
The Initiative's Seed Fund Program supports innovative early-stage research projects addressing energy and related environmental issues. It is envisioned that funds will be granted across the entire spectrum of energy and related environmental research areas over the next five years. Complete details are available in the request for proposals.
Areas of Interest
MITEI is working to address science, technology, policy, and systems design issues required to meet the global energy/environmental challenge. Interdisciplinary research project proposals are strongly encouraged. Proposals may be submitted in any area of energy related research, including environmental research related to energy production, delivery and use.
Representative areas of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:
Science and technology for a clean energy future
- renewable energy sources (wind, solar, geothermal, waves, biofuels);
- electrochemical energy storage and conversion;
- core enabling science and technology (e.g., superconducting and cryogenic components, nanotechnology and materials, transport phenomena); and
- nuclear fusion.
Improving today’s energy systems
- advanced nuclear reactors and fuel cycles that address cost, safety, waste, and nonproliferation objectives;
- affordable supply of fossil-derived fuels (oil, natural gas, coal) from both conventional and unconventional sources and processes;
- key enablers such as carbon sequestration;
- thermal conversion and utilization for dramatically enhanced energy efficiency, including in industrial uses;
- enhanced reliability, robustness, and resiliency of energy delivery networks; and
- system integration in energy supply, delivery and use;
- learning from the past and understanding current public attitudes towards energy systems;
- sound economic analysis of proposed policies for energy development and greenhouse gas mitigation;
- understanding and facilitating the energy technology innovation process; and
- in-depth integrative energy and technology policy studies that draw from faculty across the campus.
Energy systems for a rapidly evolving world
- science and policy of climate change;
- advanced, energy-efficient building technologies;
- advanced transportation systems, from novel vehicle technologies and new fuels to systems design including passenger and freight networks; and
- “giga-city” design and development, particularly in the developing world.
Funding Available
It is anticipated that awards will be made for $150,000 or less, with periods of performance of up to two years. These grants will be supported with Seed Fund Program funding provided through the MITEI Founding and Sustaining Members Program. Proposals that are submitted but not funded in this round may be reconsidered for support in the next round of seed grants, approximately six months later.
Key Dates
June 5, 2009 – RFP for seed fund proposals
July 16, 2009 – Seed fund grant application deadline
September 16, 2009 – Review meeting with MITEI Governing Board and MIT Energy Council
October 1, 2009 – Start date for seed fund projects
Eligibility
The MITEI Seed Fund Program is open to all who, at the start of funding, are MIT faculty or members of the research staff with principal investigator privileges.
Application Process
Please complete the cover and budget pages, along with the body of the proposal in accordance with the attached application format. In addition, the attached Co-funding/Background IP form(s) should be submitted along with the proposal. The complete proposal package must be sent electronically as a PDF file to energyseedfunds@mit.edu by the July 16, 2009 deadline.
Review and Selection Process
The review criteria will emphasize the importance of the scientific problem, novelty of the ideas, and potential impact of the work. How the proposed work complements ongoing energy research on campus will be considered. The promise of opportunities for long term funding to continue the research project beyond the seed fund period of performance will also be considered. The MITEI Governing Board will advise the MIT Energy Council on awards.
Conditions
Project management – The PI is directly responsible for performance of the work in the proposal and should not serve as proxy for others.
Co-funding - Any anticipated external source of support for the proposed project must be declared at the time of submission. If co-funding becomes an issue during the seed fund proposal/project process, this should be discussed with MITEI leadership prior to use of such funds.
IP – If the PI has existing IP relevant to the proposed project, this must be declared at the time of submission.
Deliverables – PIs are expected to submit an interim report at the end of the first year and a final report at the end of seed fund support. In addition, PIs should send publications resulting from the seed fund award to MITEI, ATTN: Karen Gibson (kgibson@mit.edu).
