The 2014 SSL R&D funding opportunities apply to LEDs and OLEDs across the three previously defined sectors of core technology research, product development, and US manufacturing.
The US Department of Energy (DOE) has announced the availability of up to $10 million in new R&D funding under the "Solid-state lighting advanced technologies R&D – 2014" initiative (DE-FOA-0000973). There is a webcast this Friday, December 13 that will provide further information on the opportunity and concept papers are due by January 8, 2014 with final applications due by February 24, 2014.
The DOE announcement marks the second time in recent weeks that the agency has made available new solid-state lighting (SSL) R&D opportunities. Back in the first week of December, the agency announced new funding within the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. Intent to apply for those SBIR/STTR grants is due next week on December 16.
The latest announcement is focused on the three core DOE SSL R&D program areas that have been addressed in past years: Core Technology Research – the application of fundamental scientific concepts to SSL technology Product Development – using the knowledge gained from basic or applied research to develop or improve commercially viable SSL materials, devices, or systems US Manufacturing – accelerating SSL technology adoption through manufacturing innovations and improvements that reduce costs and enhance quality and consistency
The DOE said it will fund as many as ten projects in the 2014 program. The webcast is slated for December 13 at 1:00 PM Eastern, and will be conducted by the National Energy Testing Laboratory.
About the Author Maury Wright is editor of LEDs Magazine and Illumination in Focus.
