DAC Pre-Commercial Technology Prize

The Direct Air Capture (DAC) Pre-Commercial Technology Prize awards up to $3.2 million in cash prizes and $800,000 in technical assistance vouchers to teams that identify a critical need in the DAC industry, develop a solution to address this gap, and test the idea to a degree of scale. It focuses on the steps of ideation and entrepreneurship needed to prepare technologies and businesses for commercialization.

Accelerating Just and Sustainable Carbon Management Solutions 

The DAC Pre-Commercial Technology Prize (DAC Technology Prize) is part of a suite of interconnected competitions in the American-Made DAC Prize program. Understanding that there are several steps to move from an idea to a marketable product, the DAC Prizes are a suite of prizes that work together to advance carbon dioxide removal technologies and the incubators that make this process possible. 

Direct air capture is technically challenging compared to other carbon capture systems, which prevent the release of additional emissions. However, it is an increasingly important tool in counterbalancing hard-to-decarbonize sectors. Because of this, the DAC Technology Prize focuses on developing DAC technology innovations, such as novel materials or systems integration, that will accelerate opportunities and successes in the industry.  

Who Can Compete?

Competitors or teams who meet eligibility criteria are encouraged to apply to the initial phase of the prize (see the official rules for eligibility criteria). Diverse, multidisciplinary teams are strongly encouraged; competitors interested in collaborating can connect on HeroX on the “Teams” page.  

Prize Structure

Teams win increasingly larger prizes as they successfully meet technology milestones over the course of the three phases: Develop, Design, and Deliver. Each phase requires compounding progress of DAC technology development.

Develop

Develop Phase requirements:

• Identify a breakthrough solution to a critical need in the direct air capture industry
• Develop a conceptual design for a bench-scale proof of concept system
• Craft a validation plan for the technology, and more. 

Design

Only winners of the Develop Phase are eligible to compete in the Design Phase. 

Design Phase requirements: 

• Finalize the design and cost of solution
• Conduct preliminary analyses and risk assessments
• Develop a preliminary community benefits plan and monitoring, reporting, and verification plan
• Develop engineering, procurement, construction, and testing plans
• Schedule to validate the DAC technology.

Deliver

Only winners of the Design Phase are eligible to compete in the Deliver Phase. 

Deliver Phase requirements:

• Construct and test solutions
• Develop a plan and design for the next scale of integrated system testing
• Submit a long-term plan for the ongoing success of the technology
• Identify partners and incorporate feedback to advance the solution from bench- to pilot-scale.

Please review the official rules for the complete application process and instructions for competing.

If you want to receive updates on the prize or have any questions, please follow this HeroX page, subscribe to the American-Made Newsletter, or email prize administrators directly at . 

Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management, the DAC Prizes suite is supported by the National Energy Technology Laboratory and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Learn more about the DAC Prizes.