MAKE IT Prize Strategies Track

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 the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, and administered by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, has a prize pool of approximately $30 million spread across two tracks: Facilities and Strategies. 

The Strategies Track aims to help build interest and engagement around manufacturing clean energy technologies and expand the potential for more clean energy jobs and economic opportunity. In this track, competitors will be asked to develop a roadmap to establishing clean energy manufacturing in their region and get a letter of commitment from an entity interested in establishing a facility in their region. 

This page outlines the eligibility and track structure for the Strategies Track. More information on the Strategies Track and instructions for competing can be found in the official rules document. 

For information on the Facilities Track, where competitors develop clean energy technology manufacturing facilities to the point of being shovel-ready, please visit the Facilities Track HeroX page.

Competitor Eligibility

The Strategies Track is open to teams working to promote manufacturing activity development in their regions. More information on eligibility can be found in the official rules document. 

Track Structure

The Strategies Track offers two opportunities to compete through two rounds. Each round includes three phases. 

• Phase 1: Engage: Competitors submit a narrative describing their team, region, potential elements to include in their roadmap, and a community engagement plan. Approximately 30 winners will be awarded $50,000 each across two rounds of competition and will advance to Phase 2: Create.
• Phase 2: Create: Competitors submit their concept roadmap, including the results of their community engagement, and a list of potential manufacturers for the region. Approximately 20 winners will be awarded $100,000 each across two rounds of competition and will advance to Phase 3: Activate.
• Phase 3: Activate: Competitors submit their final roadmaps and demonstrate commitment from at least one entity interested in establishing a clean energy manufacturing facility in the region. Approximately eight winners will be awarded $250,000 each across two rounds of competition.

More information can be found in the official rules document.

Upcoming Dates

Key Dates (estimated, subject to change)

All Dates (estimated, subject to change)

• Informational Webinar: August 17, 2023
• Round 1 Phase 1: Engage Submission Deadline: October 18, 2023
• Round 1 Phase 1:Engage Winner Announcement: approximately 60 days after deadline
• Round 2 Phase 1: Engage Submission Deadline: February 15, 2024 
• Round 2 Phase 1: Engage Winner Announcement: approximately 60 days after deadline
• Round 1 Phase 2: Create Submission Deadline: May 1, 2024
• Round 1 Phase 2: Create Winner Announcement: approximately 60 days after deadline

• Round 2 Phase 2: Create Submission Deadline: November 2024
• Round 1 Phase 3: Activate Submission Deadline: November 2024
• Round 2 Phase 2: Create Winner Announcement: approximately 60 days after deadline
• Round 1 Phase 3: Activate Winner Announcement: approximately 60 days after deadline 
• Round 2 Phase 3: Activate Submission Deadline: May 2025
• Round 2 Phase 3: Activate Winner Announcement: approximately 60 days after deadline

Informational Webinar

The MAKE IT Prize Strategies Track informational webinar recording gives an overview of the Strategies 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

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