The Manufacture of Advanced Key Energy Infrastructure Technologies (MAKE IT) Prize aims to catalyze domestic manufacturing of critical clean energy technology components, moving manufacturing facilities from planning to shovel-ready and enabling strategies for vibrant manufacturing activities in communities. This prize, developed by the Office of Technology Transitions in partnership with the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations, and administered by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, has a prize pool of approximately $30 million spread across two tracks: Facilities and Strategies.
The Facilities Track accelerates clean energy technology manufacturing plant development and helps support establishing a robust, secure domestic supply chain for components deemed critical for the commercialization of clean energy technologies. This track invites U.S.-based entities with demonstrated commitment and capabilities in domestic manufacturing to complete and submit the work necessary for a shovel-ready manufacturing facility for specific clean energy technology components, including components related to hydrogen, the electric grid, long-duration energy storage, and carbon capture.
This page outlines the eligibility and track structure for the Facilities Track. More information on the Facilities Track and instructions for competing can be found in the official rules document.
For information on the Strategies Track, where competitors work to attract manufacturing to their regions, please visit the Strategies Track HeroX page.
Competitor Eligibility
U.S.-based entities interested in establishing a manufacturing plant for an eligible clean energy technology may submit a statement of intent for the Facilities Track. Eligible components include:
Manufacturing and/or recycling of components for production, processing, delivery, and storage, of clean hydrogen and/or hydrogen fuel cells:
Facilities to extract and process raw materials for electrolyzer and hydrogen fuel cell manufacturing
Precision manufactured subcomponents for electrolyzers and fuel cells and facilities for electrolyzer and fuel cell assembly
Optimized balance-of-plant components for electrolyzers
Production capacity for hydrogen-specific infrastructure.
Manufacturing of components related to electric grid upgrades and long-duration energy storage:
Components for distribution and large power transformers
Components for high-voltage direct current transmission
Manufacturing and assembly of long-duration energy storage components and systems.
Manufacturing of components related to carbon capture and storage:
Carbon capture solvent, sorbent, and membrane recovery facilities.
More information on competitor eligibility and the eligible components can be found in the official rules document.
Track Structure
The Facilities Track includes submission of a statement of intent and two phases.
Statement of Intent: Competitors submit a letter of intent describing their team and the clean energy technology to be manufactured. Competitors will be notified if their statement is deemed eligible to compete in Phase 1: Scope.
Phase 1: Scope: Competitors submit a plan to establish a manufacturing facility for their identified clean energy technology. Approximately 12 winners will be awarded $500,000 each and will advance to the Phase 2: Shovel-Ready.
Phase 2: Shovel-Ready: Competitors will demonstrate they are “shovel-ready” for the construction of a manufacturing facility including control of a site, permits, financing, and proof of community engagement. Up to four winners will be awarded $4.5 million each.
There are two opportunities to compete in the Facilities Track: through the Primary Timeline or the Secondary Timeline. Competitors who submit a statement of intent that is deemed eligible during the Primary Timeline may submit subsequent materials by either the Primary or Secondary Timeline deadlines, but are encouraged to submit as soon as they are ready, as a limited number of prizes are available and the competition will close once all funds are awarded.
Statement of Intent Primary Deadline: October 18, 2023
Statement of Intent Primary Decision Notification (anticipated): November 2023
Phase 1: Scope Submission Primary Deadline: February 1, 2024
Statement of Intent Secondary Deadline: February 1, 2024
Statement of Intent Secondary Decision Notification (anticipated): February 2024
Phase 1:Scope Primary Winner Announcement: Approximately 60 days after deadline
Phase 1:Scope Submission Secondary Deadline: May 1, 2024
Phase 1: Scope Secondary Winner Announcement: Approximately 60 days after deadline
Phase 2: Shovel-Ready First Opportunity to Submit Deadline: ApproximatelyAugust 2024
Phase 2: Shovel-Ready Second Opportunity to Submit Deadline: ApproximatelyNovember 2024
Phase 2: Shovel-Ready Third Opportunity to Submit Deadline: ApproximatelyFebruary 2025
Phase 2: Shovel-Ready Fourth Opportunity to Submit Deadline: ApproximatelyMay 2025
Informational Webinar
The MAKE IT Prize Facilities Track informational webinar recording gives an overview of the Facilities Track and its phases, timelines, and submission requirements. Watch the webinar recording to learn more.
Challenge Guidelines
The official rules document contains the complete application process and instructions for competing.
Follow the challenge page to receive the latest updates. For any questions, please use the contact feature on the HeroX platform or message us directly at .
Guidelines
Please review the official rules for the complete application process and instructions for competing.
Follow the challenge page to receive the latest updates. For any questions, please use the contact feature on the HeroX platform or message us directly at .
Congratulations to our new MAKE IT Prize winners! Nine MAKE IT Prize Facilities Track winners each received $500,000 from the Primary Timeline of Phase 1!
Facilities Track Primary Timeline Phase 1 winners will move on to the Phase 2: Shovel Ready stage of the track, where teams will compete to demonstrate that they are ready to build a manufacturing facility, including proof of location, permits, financing, and community engagement.
The submission deadline for the Secondary Timeline of Facilities Track Phase 1 is May 15.
Congratulations to the winning teams!
Ballard's Fuel Cell Engine Manufacturing Facility
CellCube Lean Energy Assembly Network (CCLEAN)
Ceramic NaSICON Membranes for LDES
Components for Fuel Cell Trucks: 100% Made in US
Conformable Hydrogen Tanks for Production Capacity
You’re invited to join us for a livestream announcement of Phase 1 winners from Strategies Track Round 2 and Facilities Track Primary Timeline of the MAKE IT Prize!
What: Department of Energy MAKE IT Prize Live Announcement
When: Thursday, April 11, 2024 from 1:30 to 2:30pm CT
Agenda:
Opening Remarks
Winner Announcement
Panel Discussion: Growing the New Clean Energy Manufacturing Base in the Midwest
The announcement of winners from Facilities Track Primary Timeline Phase 1: Scope will happen this coming Thursday, April 11 (anticipated). Winners will be notified individually and publicly posted on HeroX.
Please note: The deadline for teams competing in Secondary Timeline Phase 1 has been extended to May 15. Remember to reference the Resources tab for helpful templates and Official Prize Rules.
Congratulations to the teams that have been determined to be eligible from the secondary Statement of Intent deadline. These teams will be able to compete in Phase 1: Scope for $500,000, which is now open to secondary timeline competitors. The Phase 1 secondary deadline is May 1.
All captains from teams that submitted to the Secondary Statement of Intent are being notified of the status of their Statement of Intent, with comments about their submissions.
Please note: Phase 1 Primary Timeline winners will be announced in April.
For any questions, please use the contact feature on the HeroX platform or email us directly at MAKEITprize@nrel.gov.
The final deadline to submit a statement of intent for the MAKE IT Prize Facilities Track is coming up! Help catalyze domestic manufacturing of critical clean energy components so we can meet U.S. decarbonization goals and maximize the associated benefits.
The official rules document contains the complete application process and instructions for competing.
Follow the challenge page to receive the latest updates. For any questions, please use the contact feature on the HeroX platform or message us directly at MAKEITprize@nrel.gov.
