The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (U.S. DOT) highly competitive Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program awards over $10 million annually in contracts to U.S. small businesses to pursue research on and develop innovative solutions to our nation’s transportation challenges. U.S. DOT issues annual solicitations—typically in the winter—for Phase I research proposals, with subsequent opportunities for follow-on Phase II, Phase IIB, and Phase III awards.

Climate First Bank is a full-service bank with a laser focus on environmental sustainability and doing good. In 2021 we launched with one purpose: to create a Bank that centers the planet, people, and profit. This guiding principle has fueled the Bank’s tremendous growth, evidence that we are succeeding not despite our mission, but because of it. We offer both personal and business services as well as mission-driven products such as rooftop solar, renewable energy, building retrofits, EV charging, and the purchasing of certified carbon offsets. We also use our customers’ deposits to support initiatives such as affordable housing and education.

Mark1 is a Developer-as-a-Service for capital intensive, first of a kind industrial climate technologies. We work with technology companies to maximize the opportunity for deploying their first commercial-scale projects. Mark1 helps climate tech innovators develop a faster and less expensive path to bankability. With an experienced in-house team, we co-pilot the process alongside project-specific needs of each participating company, to achieve the project’s development milestones. We support technical and commercial project development and capital strategies.

We provide capital, expertise, and connections to nurture startups specializing in advanced energy systems, industry efficiency technologies, and sustainable solutions. Our particular emphasis is on closed-loop lithium systems, next-gen battery development and supply chain innovations, leveraging Nevada’s unique position in the global energy market. The accelerator aims to develop these innovative startups into thriving enterprises that deliver both economic growth and positive environmental impact.

Cleantech Open is the world’s largest cleantech accelerator, providing entrepreneurs and corporate innovators the resources they need to launch and grow successful cleantech businesses. Our one-of-a-kind innovation ecosystem built over the last 19 years of programming spans key cleantech innovation hubs in the U.S., linking labs and universities, service providers, investors, corporations, governments, and other cleantech incubators and accelerators. Through our annual accelerator, we provide between 100-150 companies in the U.S. with a rich program of customer discovery, extensive mentoring, training, investor meetings, startup-corporate matching, and showcasing at both the regional and national levels. Since 2005, more than 70% of our reporting U.S. alumni companies are still operating and have collectively raised over $2B in external funding. Join this exciting community and be a part of our global network of innovation.

This is a competitive grant solicitation. The California Energy Commission’s (CEC’s) Clean Transportation Program announces the availability of up to $4 million in grant funds for one or more third-party implementers to provide technical assistance (TA) for communities eligible to seek federal and state funding for zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) infrastructure. TA providers will, at minimum, assist in identifying grant opportunities, support successful application development and submittal, and support project implementation that delivers benefits in under-resourced communities.

This tool provides a way to search for federal funding programs—including cooperative agreements, grants, loans, rebates, and tax credits. Learn more about funding for zero-emission transportation options and electric vehicle (EV) charging and refueling infrastructure.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT’s) Build America Bureau (Bureau) today released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program, created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The NOFO offers $27 million in technical assistance grants to rural and tribal communities for the planning and design phase development of transportation projects. There is no local funding match required to participate in this program. The Bureau designated up to $10 million for Tribal applicants.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the Fiscal Year 2025 Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO) Program Wide funding program. This funding opportunity will award up to $88 million for projects that will seek innovative transportation solutions for on- and off-road vehicles.

DOE is committed to pushing the frontiers of science and engineering, catalyzing domestic jobs through research, development, demonstration, and deployment, and ensuring affordable and low-emission energy is available to all communities in America. Topic areas under this funding opportunity will advance affordable and reliable energy innovation in mobility and improve U.S. competitiveness.

Be part of the Energy Tech 2025 Conference at the SPARK VIRGINIA Pitch Competition, where Virginia’s most innovative minds in utility, energy, and climate technology compete for $10,000 in prizes ($7,500 grand prize winner; $2,500 runner up)! Taking place on March 6, 2025, at the Science Museum of Virginia during Energy Tech 2025 in Richmond, this exciting event will showcase groundbreaking technologies poised to transform Virginia’s energy economy. Eight startups will pitch their cutting-edge solutions to a panel of Virginia’s top investors, utility executives, and energy leaders. With only five minutes to present and five minutes for Q&A, these entrepreneurs will compete for funding, recognition, and the opportunity to accelerate their journey to commercialization.