Since 2015, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) has funded the Small Innovative Projects in Solar (SIPS) program. SIPS focuses on innovative, targeted, early-stage ideas in solar energy research that can produce significant results within the first year of performance, quickly validating novel concepts and laying the foundation for continued research.

SIPS is an ongoing program with new funding issued every year. SIPS funds a broad range of projects in photovoltaics (PV) and concentrating solar-thermal power (CSP) with award amounts of up to $400,000. These awards have no cost share, which means they are 100% funded by DOE with no cost commitments required by the recipient.

The SIPS program is also designed to increase the diversity of clean energy researchers by streamlining the application process and encouraging applications from researchers who have never applied or been selected for a SETO award.

Learn more in the infographic below and view open SIPS opportunities and previous SIPS projects.

Download the infographic

Open SIPS Funding Opportunities

• Fiscal Year 2024 SIPS: Concentrating Solar-Thermal Power and Photovoltaics – Full applications due Mar. 6, 2024 at 5 p.m. ET

Closed Funding Opportunities – Applications in Review

• None currently

Previous SIPS Funding

• SETO SIPS 2023 CSP and PV Funding Program
• SETO SIPS 2022 CSP and PV Funding Program
• SETO FY 2021 PV and CSP Funding Program
• SETO FY 2020 Funding Program
• SETO FY 2019 Funding Program
• SETO FY 2018 Funding Program
• 2017 PV Research and Development 2
• 2016 PV Research and Development

Additional Information

• Explore SETO’s research in photovoltaics and concentrating solar-thermal power.
• Learn about SETO’s other funding programs.
• Apply for SETO’s open funding opportunities.
• Browse other DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) funding opportunities.
• Sign up for the SETO newsletter.