The U.S. Department of Energy's Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office (IEDO) funds prize competitions to encourage innovation and accelerate the development of novel industrial technologies. IEDO competitions inspire a variety of stakeholders to work together to develop new concepts and technologies that can challenge traditional thinking across America's industrial sector.
Competitions offer cash prizes and expert support to solve challenging, industry-wide problems. They set ambitious goals on a condensed timeline to encourage rapid development, enabling the best ideas to win out in a competitive marketplace. Competitions also make it easier for new innovators to enter the market, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and increase the number and quality of perspectives working to develop solutions.
Prizes facilitate technological growth and market adoption across our three research areas: Cross-Sector Technologies (CST), Energy-Intensive Industries (EII), and Technical Assistance and Workforce Development (TAWD).
Current Prizes
| Name | Research Area(s) | Open Date | Deadlines |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industrial Energy Storage Systems Prize | CST | Jan. 16, 2025 | Phase 1 applications due April 29, 2025 |
Past Prizes
| Name | Research Area(s) | Year(s) Awarded | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Framing the Future: Industrial Technologies Photo Contest | Office-Wide | 2025 | $24,000 |
| Water Resource Recovery Prize Phase 2 | CST | 2021 | $500,000 |
| Water Resource Recovery Prize Phase 1 | CST | 2020 | $500,000 |
| Individuals Taking Energy Action in Manufacturing (ITEAM) Prize | TAWD | 2019 | $75,000 |