MAKE IT Prize Round 2

The Manufacture of Advanced Key Energy Infrastructure Technologies (MAKE IT) Prize Round 2 aims to catalyze domestic manufacturing to enable replication and commercial liftoff of clean energy demonstration projects, moving manufacturing facilities of critical clean energy technology components from planning to shovel-ready. 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 $32 million. 

This is the second round of funding through the MAKE IT Prize, building on the success of the original multi-track MAKE IT Prize which awarded more than $30 million towards clean energy manufacturing. 

Statement of Intent – Teams submit a short Statement of Intent document to propose their team and project, ensuring that their intended technology type is eligible for MAKE IT Prize Round 2. 

Phase 1: Scope – Competitors deemed eligible will develop a comprehensive, credible plan to establish a clean energy manufacturing facility, including technology and business validation. 

Approximately nineteen Phase 1 winners will be awarded $500,000 each.

Phase 2: Shovel-Ready – Teams will demonstrate they are shovel-ready to build or repurpose a manufacturing facility for specific clean energy components, including control of a site, permitting, financing, partnership commitments, and community engagement. 

Approximately five Phase 2 winners will be awarded $4,500,000 each.

Prize Timeline

View the official prize timeline under the “Timeline” tab for the most current dates and deadlines. All dates are approximate and subject to change, including challenge openings, deadlines, and announcements. 

The MAKE IT Prize invites U.S.-based entities with demonstrated capabilities and commitment to domestic manufacturing to submit plans for establishing clean energy manufacturing facilities for specific clean energy technology components and/or processes. The prize will be open to manufacturers of critical components in the following areas:

• Upgrades to the electric grid
• Long duration energy storage
• Industrial decarbonization
• Carbon capture and storage
• Direct air capture
• Clean hydrogen
• Advanced nuclear power

Not all components within each category are eligible for submission. Please see Appendix B within the official rules document for full guidelines on component eligibility.

Please review the official rules document under the “Resources” tab for the complete submission process and instructions for competing.

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