The U.S. Department of Energy's is soliciting applications for the Inventions and Innovation Program designed to fund projects that reduce energy consumption and have a future commercial market.

Pre-applications are due October 11.

Eligible projects include: Biomass Program; Building Technologies Program; Distributed Energy & Electric Reliability Program; FreedomCAR & Vehicle Technologies Program; Geothermal Technologies Program; Hydrogen, Fuel Cells, & Infrastructure Technologies Program; Industrial Technologies Program ; Solar Energy Technology Program; Wind & Hydropower Technologies Program.

The I&I Program is seeking applications for the conceptual (Category 1) and developmental (Category 2) stages of development. Category 1 awards may cover a project period of up to one year. Category 2 awards will be approximately two years.

The I&I Program will require pre-applications. Prior to submitting a pre-application, potential applicants are strongly encouraged to do self-assessment using the optional "Pre-Application Self-Assessment" tool located on the I&I website. The tool is helpful in assessing whether or not an innovation is a good candidate for I&I funding.

For a full description of the funding opportunity, visit the I&I webpage.

9/23/2005