Financial Opportunities for Inventors

Inventors may seek Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy funding for energy efficiency or renewable energy technologies through two routes: the Inventions and Innovation Program and unsolicited proposals.

The Inventions and Innovation Program (I&I) provides financial assistance for small businesses and independent inventors who are developing energy-saving technologies. Its mission is to develop and promote the adoption of cost-effective renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. The program uses an annual competitive solicitation to evaluate proposals and award grants to applicants that have inventions that promise significant energy savings and future commercial potential. In addition to financial assistance, this program offers technical guidance and commercialization support. Since the program's start in 1977, more than 500 inventions have received financial support, and nearly 25% reached the marketplace.

Note: At present, the Inventions and Innovation Program has no funding for its activities in fiscal year 2008, so it has announced no upcoming funding opportunity solicitations. I&I accepts proposals only during open solicitations. Please continue to visit the I&I website and click the Financial Opportunities tab for information about any upcoming solicitations.

Inventors may also seek funding by submitting an unsolicited proposal to EERE. For more information, see the unsolicited proposals page on this Web site.