The Department of Energy (DOE) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) funding opportunities are now open for FY2021. Please see the list below of Offices that are offering funding opportunities:

• Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response
• Office of Fossil Energy
• Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation
• Office of Fusion Energy Sciences
• Office of Electricity
• Office of High Energy Physics
• Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
• Office of Nuclear Energy
• Office of Environmental Management

The detailed list of Funding Topics is available here and the full Funding Opportunity Announcement is available here.

The Diageo Sustainable Solutions program is calling upon innovators to share their ideas and solutions for growing brands and businesses sustainably.

Diageo Sustainable Solutions will invest time and experience, resources and assets where relevant, and fully fund proof of concept pilots that are selected from the breakthrough innovations. Innovations in energy, water, packaging, and agriculture will be prioritized.

The short online application is due December 16, 2020, and a shortlist of applicants will be determined by December 22, 2020. A virtual pitch day will be hosted in January 2021 and successful pilot proposals will be chosen by the end of January 2021. Up to a 6-month pilot of collaboration will be available to develop ideas and demonstrate a proof of concept within the supply chain.

Each pilot will be sponsored by a Diageo Business Unit lead, with a dedicated Technical support team (from Diageo and supply chain partners). Successful pilots will be considered for scaling within the Diageo Supply Chain.

Prithvi Ventures is an impact-driven early-stage Climate fund set up to protect our earth and its inhabitants – पृथ्वी / Pṛthvī means “earth” in Sanskrit. To protect our Prithvi, we invest in industries that remove/ reduce the rising GHG emissions. We invest in boring problems with interesting solutions that redesign the way some of the largest industries consume energy and resources. We focus on Capex heavy technologies that are carbon negative, and resource-intensive processes from the supply chain, be that in food, fashion, beauty & more. Investing in ClimateTech presents not only an opportunity for a financial return but is also a chance to help protect our environment, public health, and the overall sustainability of how we live on our Prithvi.

Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, in partnership with the Chicago Department of Assets, Information and Services (AIS), today announced a new Request for Proposals (RFP) to procure a renewable energy supply contract for City-owned buildings.

The contract will provide all City-owned buildings, streetlights, and other facilities with reliable, renewable electricity supply for at least five years beginning in 2022. The current cost of powering just City-owned buildings with energy is around $40 million annually, resulting in an estimated renewable electricity supply contract of $200 million for the vendor.

The COVID-19 crisis is an especially challenging time for small business owners. In an effort to better help businesses navigate this crisis, the CEBN has compiled a list of financial relief resources. We will continue to update the list of resources as new information becomes available. Please send any additional relevant resources to CEBN staff should you be aware of any.