Funding-Limited Submission – U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) – Energy Innovation Hub - Critical Materials; June 22, 2012

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) plans to invest approximately $120 million over five years to launch a new Energy Innovation Hub. The Critical Materials Hub builds on the DOE Critical Materials Strategy, which addresses the use of rare earths and other critical materials in clean energy components, products, and processes.

These funds will initiate a sustained multidisciplinary effort (5-10 years) to identify problems and find solutions across the lifecycle of critical materials that are essential to a growing number of energy technologies. In FY 12, $20 million will be allotted to research focused on advanced manufacturing of alternative energy, including electric vehicles, wind turbines, and efficient lighting. Universities, nonprofit organizations, national laboratories, and private firms are eligible to apply and are encouraged to form partnerships.

One award will be funded at up to $20 million for the first year, of which up to $10 million may be used for the establishment of Hub infrastructure. This Hub is anticipated to be funded at up to $25 million per year in years 2-5 of the initial award period. Required cost share is 20% of the federal support for technology demonstration and deployment.

For further information go to: http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=173654

Limited Submission:  An organization may submit only one (1) application as the prime applicant.

Because the Department of Energy only allows an organization to submit one application as the lead institution, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process.  Individuals interested in submitting to this program are to submit the following materials electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Friday, June 22, 2012:

· Names and departments of UK Project Director and a listing of any additional institutions that are expected to be involved in the planned application

· Project overview (2 pages maximum) including a synopsis of the research plan, the management plan (approaches to ensure synergy among the partners and mechanisms for effectively translating research findings to industrial applications), and the infrastructure plan listing the laboratories, office space and critical research capabilities to be included.

· A budget with cost share and potential sources of funding for that cost share.

In addition, applicants requesting institutional cost sharing to support participation as a team member/subawardee must also respond to this call and submit the requested information.

A committee will be appointed to review the information and make a recommendation.

The Department of Energy deadline is June 29, 2012 for required letters of intent.  Full proposals are due August 30, 2012.

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663).