The competition is open to coalitions (partners anchored by at least one community-based not-for profit organization) that are: (1) established on or after the date of this announcement (new coalitions) or (2) existing coalitions that establish a new or amended mission on or after the date of this announcement. Further, all competitors are subject to the following conditions and requirements:
- An individual prize competitor or group of competitors who are not competing as part of an incorporated private entity must all be United States citizens or legal permanent residents.
- Private entities that are incorporated must be incorporated in and maintain a primary place of business in the United States with majority domestic ownership and control.
- Individuals competing as part of an incorporated private entity may participate if they are legally permitted to work in the United States.
- DOE employees, employees of sponsoring organizations, members of their immediate families (e.g., spouses, children, siblings, or parents), and persons living in the same household as such persons, whether or not related, are not eligible to participate in the prize.
- Individuals who worked at DOE (federal employees or support service contractors) within six months prior to the submission deadline of any contest are not eligible to participate in the prize.
- Federal entities and federal employees are not eligible to participate in any portion of the prize.
- DOE national laboratory employees are not eligible to participate in the prize.
- Entities and individuals publicly banned from doing business with the U.S. government such as entities and individuals debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded from or ineligible for participating in Federal programs are not eligible to participate in the prize.
- Entities and individuals identified as a restricted party on one or more screening lists of Department of Commerce, State and the Treasury are not eligible to participate in the prize. See Consolidated Screening List.
- Individuals participating in foreign government talent recruitment programs of foreign countries of risk[1] are not eligible to participate in the prize. Further, teams that include individuals participating in foreign government talent recruitment programs of foreign countries of risk1F are not eligible to participate in the prize.
- As part of your submission to this prize program, you will be required to sign the following statement:
I am providing this submission package as part of my participation in this prize. I understand that I am providing this submission to the Federal Government. I certify under penalty of perjury that the named competitor meets the eligibility requirements for this prize competition and complies with all other rules contained in the Official Rules document. I further represent that the information contained in the submission is true and contains no misrepresentations. I understand false statements or misrepresentations to the Federal Government may result in civil and/or criminal penalties under 18 U.S.C. § 1001 and § 287.
In keeping with the goal of growing a community of innovators, competitors are encouraged to form multidisciplinary teams while developing their concept. Applications are submitted through the HeroX platform, which also provides a space where parties interested in collaboration can post information about themselves and review information posted by other entities that may be interested in competing in this contest.
[1] This prize competition is expected to positively impact U.S. economic competitiveness. Participation in a foreign government talent recruitment program could conflict with this objective by resulting in unauthorized transfer of scientific and technical information to foreign government entities. Foreign government talent recruitment program is defined as an effort directly or indirectly organized, managed, or funded by a foreign government to recruit science and technology professionals or students (regardless of citizenship or national origin, and whether having a full-time or part-time position). Some foreign government-sponsored talent recruitment programs operate with the intent to import or otherwise acquire from abroad, sometimes through illicit means, proprietary technology or software, unpublished data and methods, and intellectual property to further the military modernization goals and/or economic goals of a foreign government. Many, but not all, programs aim to incentivize the targeted individual to physically relocate to the foreign state for the above purpose. Some programs allow for or encourage continued employment at U.S. research facilities or receipt of Federal research funds while concurrently working at and/or receiving compensation from a foreign institution, and some direct participants not to disclose their participation to U.S. entities. Compensation could take many forms including cash, research funding, complimentary foreign travel, honorific titles, career advancement opportunities, promised future compensation, or other types of remuneration or consideration, including in-kind compensation. Currently, the countries of risk are Russia, Iran, North Korea, and China.
