Request for Proposals
MIT Energy Initiative (MITEI) Seed Fund Program
Application deadline – June 20, 2008
Funding available | Key dates | Eligibility | Application process | Selection process
The MIT Energy Initiative requests proposals for its Spring 2008 round of seed fund grants. 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 will be reconsidered for support in the next round of seed grants, approximately six months later. In the first round, MITEI was able to fund (or partially fund) fourteen proposals. We anticipate about half as many awards in this second round.
Key Dates
June 20, 2008 – Seed fund grant application deadline
August 1, 2008 – Notification of seed fund grant recipients
September 1, 2008 – Earliest start date for seed fund projects
Eligibility
The MITEI Seed Fund Program is open to all MIT faculty, and to members of the research staff with principal investigator privileges.
Application Process
note the new email address for electronic proposal submission
Please complete the cover and budget pages, along with the body of the proposal in accordance with the application format. Submit one copy of the proposal to the attention of Karen Gibson E40-467 no later than June 20, 2008. In addition, the proposal must also be sent electronically as a PDF file to energyseedfunds@mit.edu by the June 20, 2008 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.
