DOE Announces Wind Energy Consortia Grants

Funding agency	Department of Energy
Funding Opportunity Number	DE-FOA-0000090
Opportunity	This initiative will fund consortia between institutions of higher learning and industry that will perform focused research on critical wind energy challenges in two complementary areas: 1.       Partnerships for Wind Research and Turbine Reliability: Universities in regions of the country in a Power Class 3 at 50 meters or greater wind region with consistent wind resources throughout the year are encouraged to team with industry partners to establish facilities/equipment and a research agenda necessary to study major challenges facing today’s wind industry.   Proposals must address one or more challenges described in the “20% Wind Energy by 2030” report and shall include descriptions of how the wind hardware and software will be acquired. 2.       Wind Energy Research & Development:  University R&D to advance material design, performance measurements, analytical models, and leveraging partnerships with industry to improve power systems operations, maintenance or repair operations, wind turbine and/or component manufacturing, and interdisciplinary system integration.   Fellowships, internships, etc. may be used to support the research agenda.  Universities are encouraged to partner with the wind industry in defining their R&D agenda, developing their curriculum, and intern partnerships.   Note: DOE highly encourages research in “turbine reliability” as a topic in any consortia proposal.
Criteria	·         Criterion 1: Project Description and Implementation Plan  (Weight 40%) ·         Criterion 2: Project Research and Development Plan  (Weight 40%) ·         Criterion 3: Curriculum and Student Subsidies   (Weight 20%)
Total available funding	$24 million; estimated first year funding is $12 million
Estimated award size	$8 to $12 million
Expected number of awards	2-3
Due dates	Letter of intent: June 29, 2009 Application: July 29, 2009   Note: To be considered for a grant, a letter of intent must be submitted.
Eligibility	This award is restricted to consortia led by an institution of higher learning.  The consortia must include at least one four-year institution of higher learning that has at least one engineering program that is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
Requirements	To submit a concept paper, applicants must: 1.     Obtain a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number 2.     Register with the Central Contract Registry (CCR) 3.     Register with FedConnect
Application process	Applications must be submitted through FedConnect.
Cost sharing requirements	Non-federal cost share must be at least 10% of the total allowable costs for all recipients, except Indian Tribal Institutions of Higher Learning.
Types of awards	Grants
Period of performance	Two years
Contact	Sara Wilson sara.wilson@go.doe.gov
Additional information	Funding Opportunity Announcement Application SGN: More on wind and renewables