Deadline: 10/15/2009
Notification: 11/15/2009
Amount: $150,000 to 3-5 projects
Description: The Purdue Energy Fund has been established with a gift from Purdue alumnus Fred Fehsenfeld Sr. and members of his family. The purpose of the fund is to support the development of Indiana and U.S. energy solutions with innovative research in Purdue’s energy laboratories. This announcement is an initial request for proposals from Purdue University tenure track and research faculty members for seed funds from the Purdue Energy Fund. Proposals should focus on research that is practical and likely to have economic significance in the near term.
Request: This first solicitation is aimed at learning about Purdue faculty interest and capacity as they relate to the goals of the Purdue Energy Fund. The intent of the first solicitation is to award approximately $150K to three to five project proposals. These inaugural awards will emphasize new ideas, fresh thinking, and a potential for commercialization of applications that can be realized and have an impact within the State of Indiana in the next five years. Proposals are requested in the broad area of energy. Particular interest is in coal, including processes such as underground coal gasification.
Proposals: Proposals (two pages, single spaced, minimum Times New Roman 11 font size, with minimum ½ inch margin on all sides, and bold paragraph headings for subsections) are requested to clearly establish: (I) novelty of the idea over current practices and technology; (II) potential for impact within five years in the State of Indiana, (III) relevance and promise for reducing the net emissions and buildup of CO2, (IV) a specific work statement with milestones and timeline delineated at least on a quarterly basis for a preferred performance period of one year and a maximum performance period of two years, and (V) additional funding opportunities for leveraging the early successes of the seed funds.
Confirmation of support from authorized personnel in the offices of the Head of the School or Department and the Dean of the College is required. Proposals must include a preliminary budget highlighting broad expenditure categories and any leveraging support available from other sources.
Proposals must be submitted by close of business on 15th October 2009 to Jill Wable at jwable@purdue.edu.
Selection Process: All proposals submitted prior to the deadline will be reviewed by The Purdue Energy Fund Committee (defined below). Proposals will be selected for inaugural funding based on committee’s evaluation of novelty, potential, relevance, specific work statement, and additional opportunities summarized in the proposal. The decisions will also be informed by advice from The Purdue Energy Fund Advisory Board (defined below). The Purdue Energy Fund Committee will communicate the funding decision to the proposing parties by 15th November 2009. The work should begin immediately following a communication from the Purdue Energy Fund Committee.
Execution and Oversight: Those receiving support from the Purdue Energy Fund will: (I) submit a brief quarterly report starting with the first quarter of 2010 (1st April 2010) and continuing for the duration of the project; (II) acknowledge support of the Purdue Energy Fund in all publications resulting from the award within the next five years; and (III) participate in a mini-symposium planned for the autumn or spring of 2011 to present the work accomplished to the Board and the broader energy community. Only the most successful of projects with a clear and compelling case for additional support will be considered for follow-up funding by the Purdue Energy Fund.
The Purdue Energy Fund Committee: Members of the Energy Fund Committee are Melba Crawford (College of Agriculture and College of Engineering), Jay Gore (College of Engineering and Discovery Park Energy Center), and Jon Harbor (College of Science).
The Purdue Energy Fund Advisory Board: Members of the Advisory Board are Fred Fehsenfeld Sr. (Heritage Group), Frank Incropera (Notre Dame), Leah Jamieson (Purdue, Chair), Martin Jischke (President Emeritus, Purdue), Amy Schumacher (Heritage Group), and Jim Schumacher (Heritage Group).
Contact Information (email contact preferred):
Jill Wable, Energy Center, 765 494 1610
