The FES Discovery Plasma Science: Plasma Science and Technology–General Plasma Science (GPS) program seeks new or renewal single-investigator or small-group applications to carry out hypothesis-driven frontier-level research in basic plasma science and engineering. This program aims to develop accurate descriptions of the complex behavior of the plasma state, to push it into new regimes that expand our concept of what constitutes a plasma, to design experiments and diagnostics to explore these states, and to validate theoretical models. GPS topical areas are broad and include but are not limited to: understanding the onset of magnetic reconnection and trigger mechanisms for explosive instabilities in nature (solar flares, geomagnetic storms) and in the laboratory; magnetic dynamo processes by which magnetic fields are generated in laboratory and astrophysical plasmas; mechanisms by which energy is transferred between fields, flows, and particles; how coherent
structures are created through the self-fields of the plasma and its interactions with waves; coupling of dusty plasma in strong magnetic fields; and plasma chemistry and processes related to interaction of plasma with surfaces, materials, or biomaterials.

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Water Power Technology Office (WPTO) are seeking industry partners to participate in short-term, collaborative projects to accelerate the development of innovative hydropower technologies leveraging the use of Advanced Materials and Manufacturing (AMM). The Hydropower Technical Collaboration Program (Hydro-TCP) provides selected participants with access to the U.S. DOE’s Manufacturing Demonstration Facility at ORNL, including its world-leading experts in AMM research and cutting-edge equipment and capabilities to demonstrate the application of AMM to hydropower. The program will allow companies to explore innovative and daring ideas with minimal investment and limited risk. The goal is to foster novel approaches to enhance the performance and sustainability of hydropower technologies and redefine the future of the industry.

DOE SC hereby invites applications for support under the ECRP in the following program areas: Advanced Scientific Computing Research (ASCR); Basic Energy Sciences (BES); Biological and Environmental Research (BER); Fusion Energy Sciences (FES); High Energy Physics (HEP); Nuclear Physics (NP); Isotope Research and Development (R&D) and Production (DOE IP); and Accelerator R&D and Production (ARDAP). The purpose of this program is to support the development of individual research programs of outstanding scientists early in their careers and to stimulate research careers in the areas supported by SC.

The objective of the Private Facility Research (PFR) program is to support public research utilizing world leading experimental capabilities owned by private companies. Along the path to constructing Fusion Pilot Plants (FPPs), many private fusion companies are constructing interim small-to-large scale research facilities to establish the scientific and/or technological basis for their chosen fusion concepts. Since the research on these interim facilities is largely foundational in nature, the mission overlap between the public and private sectors is large. The PFR program
serves as a bridge from boldly delivered private sector hardware back to foundational research expertise residing in the public sector. Through the program, public researchers will conduct open peer-reviewed science at private facilities, to enhance the scientific rigor and breadth of the existing private efforts for the mutual benefit of all involved. As with all thriving high-tech industries, a strong connection to foundational research is essential.

The SUPERHOT program will support the research and development of technologies that enable the production of geothermal energy from super-hot reservoirs (>375 °C and >22 MPa) for 15 years or more. This program seeks to fund the development of novel technologies for well construction, enhance testing facilities, and optimize reservoir heat extraction to make super-hot geothermal production a reality. The final application deadline is TBD. The program will have two categories:

• Category 1: Technologies related to the construction of robust super-hot wells and validation services for quality assurance of new well designs and materials. This focus will involve new materials, novel well solutions, and state-of-the-art testing facilities to assess these new approaches.

• Category 2: Technologies related to the extraction of heat from the reservoir to the well. The focus of this category is to develop fracture based and non-fracture-based methods for extracting heat from a super-hot reservoir (potentially composed of ductile rocks) to a working fluid in a well.

The objective of this NOFO is to facilitate innovative energy storage technology material, subcomponent, component, or system pre-production design to improve the manufacturability of one or more energy storage technologies. The R&D projects supported by this NOFO will improve the manufacturability of an energy storage technology and advance the TRL and MRL of the technology in the United States. Results may benefit a consortium of developers if the design challenges are widely shared within an industry. Manufacturability improvements can reduce technology production costs for the energy storage technology in question. Identifying and implementing design innovations will align pre-production storage system design to set the stage for manufacturing scale-up.

We are using our proven early-stage accelerator playbook to put AI to work for climate and nature. Our focus on diverse AI founders and high-impact priority areas will level the playing field and accelerate environmental outcomes. We support underserved early-stage founders bringing products to market across world regions. We don’t take equity and provide non-dilutive grants, setting a new generation of diverse founders up for success. Our international perspective keeps founders in lock-step with global climate commitments and communities.

Startup Runway is a pitch competition and investor introduction platform for existing businesses led by women and founders of color headquartered in the United States. At this time, we do not take applications from outside of the United States. If your company is still ‘an idea’ please do not submit. Companies with an MVP and a few customers are the most competitive. We also do not take submissions from startups who have previously been chosen by a top ranked national accelerator such as 500 Startups, Gener8tor, YCombinator or Techstars. Startup Runway’s investor introduction platform works for business models that are scalable and looking for funding to grow. Criteria for selection include that your startup has raised less than $200K in investments. The next Showcase will occur on March 6 in Atlanta!

Be part of a groundbreaking NOAA-funded accelerator empowering early-stage ventures to drive the future of the blue economy. Stage 1 of the VentureWell Ocean Enterprise Accelerator is here to make waves! Whether you’re a student, researcher, entrepreneur, industry professional, or innovator passionate about building ocean solutions, this transformative national suite of programs is designed to equip blue innovators like you with the tools, resources, and support needed to turn bold ideas into impactful solutions. The accelerator offers an unparalleled opportunity to grow your expertise, gain funding, and connect with a powerful network of industry leaders, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) researchers, and academic partners. We are proud to build off of the success of the previous NOAA Innovates pilot program, and to bring even deeper support to ocean innovators in the coming years.

The Rice Business Plan Competition gives collegiate entrepreneurs real-world experience to pitch their startups, enhance their business strategy and learn what it takes to launch a successful company. 2025 marks our 25th year of the Rice Business Plan Competition (RBPC). To celebrate this milestone, we are proud to announce that Rice Business is our presenting sponsor. Rice Business, in its 50th year, is the home to the No. 1 Graduate Entrepreneurship Program and shares our mission to empower the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders. Hosted by the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship, the RBPC has grown to become the world’s largest and richest student start-up competition, with 42 teams competing for more than $1 million in cash, investments and prizes.

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.

This NOFO is being issued by DOE’s EERE SETO to invest in R&D, technical assistance, and stakeholder engagement activities that improve the compatibility of large-scale solar (LSS) facilities with wildlife and facilitate the dual use of land for agricultural and solar energy production (agrivoltaics). Projects selected in this NOFO will a) test strategies that mitigate adverse impacts and/or maximize benefits to wildlife and ecosystems at LSS facilities, b) provide technical assistance and engagement opportunities that enable stakeholders to improve the compatibility of LSS facilities with wildlife, or c) provide technical assistance and stakeholder engagement opportunities related to agrivoltaics.