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MAKE IT Prize Strategies Track

Enabling vibrant clean energy technology manufacturing activity in communities.

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Energy, Environment & Resources Government Technology
stage:
Judging Closed
prize:
$5,500,000

This challenge is closed

Energy, Environment & Resources Government Technology
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Summary
Overview Guidelines

Overview

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.

Timeline Description automatically generated

More information can be found in the official rules document.

 

Upcoming Dates

Key Dates (estimated, subject to change)

 Round 1Round 2
Informational webinarAug 17, 2023TBD
Phase 1: Engage Submission DeadlineOct 18, 2023 Feb 15, 2024
Phase 2: Create Submission DeadlineMay 2024Nov 2024
Phase 3: Activate Submission DeadlineNov 2024May 2025

 

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

 

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

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Timeline
Updates20

Challenge Updates

Deadline Approaching! Round 1 Phase 3, Round 2 Phase 2

Oct. 24, 2024, 2:05 p.m. PDT by NREL Prize Administrator

The MAKE IT Strategies Track has an important deadline coming up for two groups! 

Competitors in both Round 2, Phase 2 and Round 1, Phase 3 have submission deadlines on Nov. 1 at 5pm ET. 

Good luck to all the competing teams! We look forward to reviewing your submissions. Winners from both Rounds are anticipated to be announced in December. 

July 31 Webinar - Partnering with Underserved Communities on Clean Energy Projects & Manufacturing

June 26, 2024, 10:51 a.m. PDT by NREL Prize Administrator

Hello MAKE IT Community,

We’d like to make you aware of a webinar event you may be interested in attending: 

Webinar: Partnering with Underserved Communities on Clean Energy Projects & Manufacturing 

Date: Wednesday July 31 at 1 p.m. ET 

Join a webinar on Partnering with Underserved Communities on Clean Energy Projects & Manufacturing, hosted by the State of Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)! The event will provide an overview of how to work collaboratively to develop clean energy projects or clean energy manufacturing in underserved communities.  

Learn about the many federal and local government programs aimed at directing investments and benefits to support clean energy initiatives in underserved, distressed, and energy-legacy communities. Discover how to create ownership and value-added opportunities in the communities where you’re hosting projects, and to connect with neighborhood organizations, economic development groups, and other non-government contacts in underserved communities. 

Register Here 

Strategies Track Round 1 Phase 2 Winners Announced

June 13, 2024, 9:13 a.m. PDT by NREL Prize Administrator

Congratulations to the MAKE IT Strategies Track Round 1 Phase 2: Create winners! These teams have each won $100,000 for engaging community partners to develop strategic roadmaps to bring clean tech manufacturing to their region: 

  • Advancing Clean Energy Manufacturing (Tulsa, OK) 
  • Beatrice Nebraska Clean Energy Manufacturing (Beatrice, NE) 
  • Berkshire Clean Tech Initiative (BCTI) (Pittsfield, MA) 
  • Chicago Grid Mod Manufacturing Initiative (Chicago, IL) 
  • Clean Energy Mfg. Roadmap for a Vibrant NE Ohio (Northeast OH) 
  • Driving Climate Tech Solutions & Job Growth in NY (Long Island, NY) 
  • NextCorps Rochester Clean Energy Manufacturing Hub (Rochester, NY) 

Our Phase 2 winners will advance to the final Phase 3, where they will finalize their roadmap and get commitment from at least one entity interested in establishing a clean energy manufacturing facility in their region. 

All Strategies Track Phase 1 winners have one additional chance to submit for Phase 2 by November, so we're excited to see more teams advance their community-based manufacturing initiatives! 

Read the full announcement on energy.gov.

Strategies Track Round 2 Phase 1 Winners Announced

April 11, 2024, 12:30 p.m. PDT by NREL Prize Administrator

Congratulations to our new MAKE IT Prize winners! Twelve MAKE IT Prize Strategies Track winners each took home $50,000 from Round 2 Phase 1.     

Strategies Track Round 2 Phase 1 winners will now join the Round 1 teams already competing in Phase 2 of the track to create a roadmap for clean energy manufacturing in their region and demonstrate interest from manufacturers.

  

Congratulations to the winning teams!  

  • Building A Climate Resilient Future for All (Delaware) 
  • Clean Energy Manufacturing in Mendenhall, MS (Mississippi) 
  • Creating the Equitable Clean Energy Future (Georgia) 
  • Inland SoCal for Advanced Manufacturing (California) 
  • Innovate Jonesboro (Maine) 
  • Joliet Commercialization Coalition (JCC) (Montana) 
  • Make It Mohawk Valley (New York) 
  • MAKE IT on the Rosebud Reservation (South Dakota) 
  • Metal Fuels Alliance (Virginia) 
  • Project 81 (Oklahoma) 
  • Quincy’s Strategy to “Make It” Happen! (Florida) 
  • South Arkansas Green Energy Project (SAGEP) (Arkansas) 

Nine Facilities Track winners each received $500,000 from Phase 1 of the Primary Timeline. Read more on the Facilities Track HeroX page. 

 

Read the full announcement on energy.gov.

Join Us for the MAKE IT Winner Announcement Livestream

April 9, 2024, 10 a.m. PDT by NREL Prize Administrator

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

Watch Live: https://bit.ly/4cRUmJS

Forum11
Teams421
Entries
Resources
FAQ