Technology Advancement Funding Opportunities
The Clean Technology Initiative is an ongoing effort by California agencies and US EPA, as well as others. These pages provide funding resources to help accelerate cleanup solutions in the form of advanced clean technologies.
- California Air Resources Board
- California Energy Commission
- South Coast Air Quality Management District
- San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District
- Federal Funding
- Other Funding
California Air Resources Board
CARB Air Quality Improvement Program (Assembly Bill 118)
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The Air Quality Improvement Program (AQIP), established by the California Alternative and Renewable Fuel, Vehicle Technology, Clean Air, and Carbon Reduction Act of 2007 (Assembly Bill (AB) 118), is a voluntary incentive program administered by the Air Resources Board to fund clean vehicle and equipment projects, research on biofuels production, and the air quality impacts of alternative fuels, and workforce training.
CARB Innovative Clean Air Technologies Program (ICAT)
ICAT is an Air Resources Board program that co-funds the demonstration of innovative technologies that can reduce air pollution. Its purpose is to advance such technologies toward commercial application, thereby reducing emissions and helping the economy of California. Unfortunately, due to continuing budget constraints, ARB will NOT conduct the ICAT program in the 2011 calendar year. Please sign up for the ICAT listserve to receive information regarding future solicitations.
Providing Loan Assistance for California Equipment (PLACE) Program
ARB is developing innovative financing programs to provide fleet owners, particularly small business owners, easier access to loan opportunities. The ARB's loan programs may offer several options to increase financing accessibility, including loans, loan guarantees, and other mechanisms to assist industries affected by ARB regulations.
Programs include the 2011 ARB Direct Loan Program, to assist ARB in implementing a low-interest direct loan program for small trucking fleets; the PLACE Program for Off-Road Vehicles, a loan guarantee program available for off-road vehicle owners needing assistance for financing retrofits, repowers and replacements; the PLACE Program for On-Road Vehicles (formerly On-Road Heavy-Duty Vehicle Air Quality Loan Program), which offers financial assistance to fleet owners subject to two regulations approved by the Board in December, 2008; and the Goods Movement Emissions Reduction Program, which may potentially offer loan assistance to upgrade equipment used in freight movement along California's trade corridors.
Clean Vehicle Rebate Project
The Clean Vehicle Rebate Project ( CVRP) is funded by the California Environmental Protection Agency's Air Resources Board and administered statewide by the California Center for Sustainable Energy (CCSE).
California Zero Emission Agricultural UTV Rebate Program
The Zero-Emission Agricultural UTV Rebate Program is funded by the California Air Resources Board and administered statewide by the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District. The program was established to promote the production and operation of zero-emission agricultural utility terrain vehicles in California agricultural operations. There is no restriction on the number of vehicles one entity can purchase and rebates are issued on a first come first serve basis.
California Energy Commission
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The Energy Commission has an annual program budget of approximately $100 million to support projects that develop and improve alternative and renewable low-carbon fuels; optimize alternative and renewable fuels for existing and developing engine technologies; produce alternative and renewable low-carbon fuels in California; decrease, on a full fuel cycle basis, the overall impact and carbon footprint of alternative and renewable fuels and increase sustainability; expand fuel infrastructure, fueling stations, and equipment; improve light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicle technologies; retrofit medium- and heavy-duty on-road and non-road vehicle fleets; expand infrastructure connected with existing fleets, public transit, and transportation corridors; and establish workforce training programs, conduct public education and promotion, and create technology centers.
- Requests for Proposals, Funding Programs, Contracts, Solicitations at the Energy Commission
- Research, Development, and Demonstration
Research, Development, and Demonstration Division's Public Interest Energy Research Program
The Energy Commission's Research Development and Demonstration (RD&D) Division supports public interest energy research, development, and demonstration. RD&D activities include providing contracts and grants for research and development of energy technologies and related scientific activities. Oversight and detailed policy direction for the RD&D's Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) program is provided by the Energy Commission's Research, Development, and Demonstration Committee.
Energy Innovations Small Grant Program
The Energy Innovations Small Grant (EISG) Program provides up to $95,000 for hardware projects and $50,000 for modeling projects to small businesses, non-profits, individuals and academic institutions to conduct research that establishes the feasibility of new, innovative energy concepts. Research projects must target one of the PIER R&D areas, address a California energy problem and provide a potential benefit to California electric and natural gas ratepayers. To encourage participation in the program, the application and award process has been simplified and assistance is available in gaining access to technical experts.
Solicitations for Transportation Area Programs
Implementation of the Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program (Assembly Bill 118)Assembly Bill 118 (PDF)(11 pp, 109 K, About PDF)directs the California Energy Commission to develop the Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program.
South Coast Air Quality Management District
Technology Advancement Office (TAO)
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AQMD's governing board established the Technology Advancement Office (TAO) in 1988 to assist the private sector in accelerating the development, demonstration and commercialization of low- and zero-emission technologies. The technical areas identified as the highest priority for the next three years include fuel cells for transportation and power generation, diesel alternatives, electric and hybrid-electric technologies, off-road applications of alternative fuel technologies, VOC reduction technologies for stationary sources, and infrastructure development. Any currently open Technology Advancement Request for Proposal (RFP) or other funding opportunities will be listed on the AQMD's comprehensive list of all the District's current RFPs.
Incentives for Voluntary Introduction of New Technologies
South Coast AQMD offers a number of funding/grant resources to encourage the immediate use of commercially available, low-emission mobile and stationary technologies. The incentive programs, which include incremental funding or subsidies, are designed to promote voluntary introduction of new technologies on an accelerated schedule. This also provides manufacturers with justification to gear up for mass production of the cleaner technologies.
San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District
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The Technology Advancement Program (TAP) is the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District's strategic approach to encouraging innovation and development of new emission reduction technologies. The TAP will consist of an ongoing review of new technology concepts, interagency partnerships, funding for technology advancement programs, and collaborations to build and expand local capacity for research and development in the San Joaquin Valley.
Federal Funding
US Environmental Protection Agency
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Grants and Fellowship Information
National Clean Diesel Campaign (NCDC)
- Grants and Funding Overview - Tribal Grants and Funding Overview
- EPA's National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program awards competitive grants to fund projects that implement EPA or CARB verified and certified diesel emission reduction technologies.
- EPA's Clean Diesel Emerging Technologies Program provides an opportunity to foster the development of cutting-edge technologies to reduce emissions from the existing fleet of heavy-duty diesel engines. The program promotes the deployment of innovative technologies by providing funding to develop and evaluate these technologies in the field.
- EPA's SmartWay Clean Diesel Program issues competitive grants to establish national low-cost revolving loans or other financing programs that help fleets reduce diesel emissions.
- EPA's State Grant Program allocates funds to participating states to implement grant and loan programs for clean diesel projects. Base funding is distributed to states using a specific formula based on participation, and incentive funding is available for any states that match their base funding.
Landfill Methane Outreach Program
Water & Energy Efficiency in Water and Wastewater Facilities
SmartWay Innovative Financing
- Contact information to learn more about Innovative Financing options
SmartWay Call Center (smartway_transport@epa.gov)
(734) 214-4767
Smart Growth
Partnership for Sustainable Communities
The Partnership for Sustainable Communities, a partnership between the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), and US EPA, works to coordinate federal housing, transportation, water, and other infrastructure investments to make neighborhoods more prosperous, allow people to live closer to jobs, save households time and money, and reduce pollution. The partnership agencies incorporate six principles of livability into federal funding programs, policies, and future legislative proposals.
US Climate Change Technology Program
The US Climate Change Technology Program is a multi-agency research and development program for the development of climate change technology.
Department of Energy (DOE)
Advanced Research Projects Agency—Energy (ARPA-E)
- ARPA-E Funding Opportunities
ARPA-E is modeled after the successful Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). ARPA-E is charged with the following objectives: to bring a freshness, excitement, and sense of mission to energy research; focus on creative "out-of-the-box" transformational energy research; utilize an ARPA-like organization; and create a new tool to bridge the gap between basic energy research and development/industrial innovation.
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
Clean Cities
Tribal Energy Program
Loan Programs Office (LPO)
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program
SBA's Office of Technology administers the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program and the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program. Through these two competitive programs, SBA ensures that the nation's small, high-tech, innovative businesses are a significant part of the federal government's research and development efforts. Eleven federal departments participate in the SBIR program; five departments participate in the STTR program awarding $2billion to small high-tech businesses. The U.S National Science Foundation administers the SBIR.GOV site on behalf of the federal government.
Federal Agency SBIR Links
Find links to SBIR programs at federal agencies including the Department of Agriculture, Department of Commerce, Department of Defense, Department of Energy, Department of Transportation, and US Environmental Protection Agency.
Department of Transportation (DOT)
Reducing pollution and other adverse environmental effects of transportation projects and transportation system inefficiency have been long‐standing DOT objectives.
- DOT Grants and Loans - DOT grants are primarily for government and local organizations.
Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Program
Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA)
Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
Department of Commerce
The U.S. Department of Commerce promotes job creation, economic growth, sustainable development and improved standards of living for all Americans by working in partnership with businesses, universities, communities and our nation's workers.
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
NIST was founded in 1901 as the nation's first federal physical science research laboratory. The Technology Innovation Program (TIP) supports, promotes, and accelerates innovation in the United States through high-risk, high-reward research in areas of critical national need.
US Economic Development Administration
Department of Defense
DARPA's mission is to maintain the technological superiority of the U.S. military and prevent technological surprise from harming our national security by sponsoring revolutionary, high-payoff research bridging the gap between fundamental discoveries and their military use.
NASA
Supporting research in science and technology is an important part of NASA's overall mission. NASA solicits this research through the release of various research announcements in a wide range of science and technology disciplines.
The National Science Foundation (NSF)
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 "to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense…"
US Department of Agriculture (USDA)
USDA provides leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, and related issues based on sound public policy, the best available science, and efficient management.
USDA Rural Development
The Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP)
US Department of Health & Human Services (HHS)
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)
Climate and Health Program
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Other Funding
California Clean Energy Fund (CalCEF)
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CalCEF was created to solve a problem. Despite significant environmental policy leadership, until recently the private sector - particularly the financial community - has lagged in making investments in clean energy companies, creating a gap in the commercialization of new energy technologies. The core problem of energy is technological in nature, and we cannot afford to leave fundamental innovations unsupported at a crucial juncture in their development. CalCEF was created to focus expertise and financial resources on this aspect of the energy challenge.
California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)
CPUC plays a key role in making California a national and international leader on a number of energy related initiatives and policies designed to benefit consumers, the environment, and the economy.
- About CPUC Renewables, Energy Efficiency and the Environment
- California Solar Initiative
The California Solar Initiative is a comprehensive $2.8 billion program that provides incentives towards solar development over 11 years. The California Solar Initiative offers solar incentives to energy users (except new homes) in investor-owned utility territories in California. The CSI Program has a goal to install 1,940 MW of new solar by 2017.
Cascade Sierra Solutions
Cascade Sierra Solutions offers comprehensive services for medium and heavy-duty diesel fleet owners and independent owner operators seeking to upgrade their fleets to cleaner, more efficient vehicles or retrofit them with energy efficient features.
- About Cascade Sierra Solutions
- Shorepower Truck Electrification Project (STEP)
The Shorepower Truck Electrification Project (STEP) will locate and install fifty truck stop facilities over the next 18 months along interstate highways where early adopter fleets and independent owner-operators have indicated the highest utilization will occur. Idle Reduction Equipment Rebates are available nation-wide to use electrified truck parking. Long-haul truck owners can apply on-line at the Cascade Sierra Solutions web site for rebates on idle reduction equipment when they agree to use truck stop electrification (TSE) sites over the next three years. Rebate requests will be accepted between February, 2011 and March 31, 2013.
Environmental Business Cluster
The Environmental Business Cluster is an award-winning cleantech incubator located in the heart of the Silicon Valley that provides commercialization support and facilities for emerging clean energy and environmental technology companies.
Joint Venture: Silicon Valley Network
Joint Venture: Silicon Valley Network provides analysis and action on issues affecting the Silicon Valley region's economy and quality of life. The organization brings together established and emerging leaders - from business, government, academia, labor and the broader community - to spotlight issues and work toward innovative solutions. Joint Venture is dedicated to promoting climate-friendly activities that help the local economy and improve quality of life in Silicon Valley. Joint Venture’s climate initiatives consist of three distinct programs; Public Sector Climate Task Force, Climate Prosperity, and Sustainable Buildings.