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 .
This is a friendly reminder of the upcoming deadline for Phase 2 of the Facilities Track: November 5. This deadline is available to all remaining Phase 1 winning teams.
Please see the Official Rules for full submission requirements and the assessment criteria. DOE awarded three Phase 2 prizes last month - according to the rules, we anticipate one remaining Phase 2 prize.
Power Connector yet2 is available to help answer questions and provide submission materials feedback.
Your submissions are greatly anticipated, and we can’t wait to see your plans!
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced three winners of Phase 2 in the Facilities Track of the Manufacture of Advanced Key Energy Infrastructure Technologies (MAKE IT) Prize! These winners have each been awarded a total of $5 million for demonstrating they are ready to build a manufacturing facility that will produce critical clean energy components.
These teams have demonstrated deep experience in clean energy technology development, working with partners and their communities to better utilize existing local infrastructure, create new jobs, and help to more efficiently store and utilize energy in the grid.
Congratulations to the Facilities Track Phase 2 winners announced today:
Stryten Energy, facility to be located in Augusta, GA
Switched Source, LLC, facility to be located in Chicago, IL
Urban Electric Power, facility to be located in Kingston, NY
Read the full story and meet the winning teams on energy.gov.
Due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control, the previously scheduled Livestream has been cancelled. Please stay tuned for a posted announcement later today instead.
Thank you to all of the MAKE IT Facilities Track Phase 2 competitors that submitted at the first Phase 2 deadline opportunity!
An exciting Phase 2 announcement will take place next Monday, Sept. 30 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET. All followers of the MAKE IT Prize are invited to tune in for a livestream of the announcement at that time.
The first submission deadline for MAKE IT Facilities Track Phase 2: Shovel-Ready is August 1 at 5 p.m. ET!
Phase 1 winners planning to submit materials should include all the submission requirements noted in the Phase 2 Submission Checklist. Competitors can reach out to Yet2, the Power Connector supporting this prize, for helpful expertise and insight!
As a reminder, this will be the first of up to four submission deadlines in Phase 2, and up to four teams can win a $4.5 million prize each. Please note that future submission deadlines will only be available if cash prizes remain, and once the four winners are awarded the Facilities Track will conclude.
We look forward to seeing the progress our Phase 1 winners have made. Good luck to the competitors!
