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American-Made Program

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Science Synthesis Prize

Generate new and comprehensive knowledge on the current state of science in renewable integration with the $80,000 Science Synthesis Prize
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Energy, Environment & Resources Science
stage:
Won
prize:
$80,000
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This challenge is closed

Energy, Environment & Resources Science
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Summary Guidelines & Eligibility

Summary

As new renewable energy technologies are developed and integrated into the electric grid, there continues to be new areas of opportunity and challenges that must be addressed. The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Office of Electricity (OE) invites graduate students, researchers, industry partners, and key stakeholders to apply for the American-Made Science Synthesis Prize: Identifying Key Barriers to Renewable Integration. 

Through this $80,000 prize, applicants are tasked with thoroughly analyzing the landscape of the renewable energy integration theory and practice and challenged to highlight pivotal opportunities, solutions, and areas of investment for addressing integration complications.

Competitors will form robust teams to develop an in-depth and cohesive research paper that highlights state-of-the-art renewable technologies, addresses the current and projected challenges associated with such technologies, and identifies the renewable integration gaps present throughout the industry that could be addressed with greater investment, research, development and/or awareness. 

Could your research change the course of renewable energy development? Find more information about submission requirements, judging criteria, and other important prize details in the Official Rules document.  

Prizes

Up to 8 teams will each receive $10,000. Winning submissions will help inform DOE’s roadmap to better understand and address potential roadblocks relating to the integration of large-scale renewable energy into the electric grid. 

Informational Webinar 

Join us June 12 for an informational webinar to learn more about the Science Synthesis Prize. During the webinar, prize administrators will give an overview of the competition including key dates, submission requirements, scoring criteria, and prize pools. Plus, applicants will have an opportunity to ask questions during the live Q&A.  

Can’t make the webinar? We’ve got you covered. A webinar recording will be made available on HeroX in the week following the live event.  

Guidelines & Eligibility

The competition is open only to private entities (for-profits and nonprofits); nonfederal government entities such as states, counties, tribes, and municipalities; academic institutions; and individuals. 

For more information on eligibility, submission requirements, and other important prize information, please read the Official Rules. To receive updates on the prize, please subscribe by using the follow feature on the HeroX platform.

 

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Challenge Updates

U.S. Department of Energy Awards Science Synthesis Prize Winners

Sept. 4, 2025, 10:05 a.m. PDT by NREL Prize Moderator

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE's) Office of Electricity (OE) announced the winners of the American-Made Science Synthesis Prize to advance research and development into modernizing our nation’s power grid.  

The Science Synthesis Prize, launched in May 2024, invited applicants to thoroughly analyze the landscape of the advanced energy integration theory and practice. The prize challenged competitors to highlight pivotal opportunities, solutions, and areas of investment to address the complications of integrating various energy sources. Winning submissions highlight state-of-the-art technologies, address the current and projected challenges associated with such technologies, and identify integration gaps present throughout the industry that could be addressed with greater investment, research, development, and awareness. 

The following teams were awarded $10,000 each in cash prizes for their efforts in the competition.  

Team  Location
FIRE EcoPowerDenver, Colorado (80045-2571)
GoBugFreeApex, North Carolina (27502-2185)
GridX InnovationKennesaw, Georgia (30152-9998)
InsightPath TeamRockville, Maryland (20852-4403)
Negin Alemazkoor's TeamCharlottesville, Virginia (22904-4742)
OASIS UBBuffalo, New York (14260-1660)
PrasioliteDavis, California (95616-1119)
Renee Obringer's TeamState College, Pennsylvania (16801-3053)

Thank you to all teams who submitted an application to this prize!

All Submission Materials Due TOMORROW

Nov. 11, 2024, 8 a.m. PST by NREL Prize Moderator

The deadline to submit your application materials for the Science Synthesis Prize is tomorrow, Nov. 12, by 5 p.m. ET. The prize administrators highly recommend uploading your submission as early as possible to avoid connectivity issues or upload delays. 

Here’s a quick reminder of what should be in your submission package: 

  • A concise cover page 
  • A research paper (6,000 words max) 
  • A 1/2-page biography for each author.

Don’t forget, portions of the submission package will be made available to the public. Read the Official Rules document for complete details.

Good luck to all applicants!

REMINDER: Submission Deadline Nov. 12

Oct. 18, 2024, noon PDT by NREL Prize Moderator

Don’t forget the deadline to submit your Science Synthesis Prize application is Tuesday, Nov. 12, by 5 p.m. ET. The prize administrators highly recommend uploading your submission as early as possible to avoid connectivity issues or upload delays. 

This is your chance to help the U.S. Department of Energy better understand and address barriers of integrating large-scale renewable energy into the electric grid. Plus, you could win part of the $125,000 prize pool in the process! 

Here’s a quick recap of what to submit: 

  • A concise cover page 
  • A research paper (6,000 words max) 
  • A 1/2-page biography for each author.

As a reminder, portions of the submission package will be made available to the public. Read the Official Rules document for complete details.

For more information on the prize and tips to improve your submission, check out a recording of the September informational webinar. 

We can’t wait to see your submissions!

Last Info Webinar Next Monday

Sept. 25, 2024, 8 a.m. PDT by NREL Prize Moderator

Don't forget that next Monday, Sept. 30, at 1 p.m. ET is your last opportunity to learn more about the Science Synthesis Prize from the Prize Administrators! During this informational webinar, interested applicants will get a quick synopsis of the prize, including key deadlines and required submission materials. 

 

Plus, participants will hear more about application best practices and how to create a competitive submission from prize Power Connector, UACI. Register for the event today! 

September Informational Webinar Opportunity

Sept. 3, 2024, 9:30 a.m. PDT by NREL Prize Moderator

Looking for more information on the Science Synthesis Prize? Join us for a 1-hour webinar on Monday, Sept. 30 to learn more about the competition, including submission materials, key dates, and prize amounts. Plus, stay until the end of the webinar for the live Q&A to have your lingering questions answered by the prize administrators. 

Register TODAY to join us on Sept. 30 at 1 p.m. ET. 

Forum5
Teams315
Entries
Resources
FAQ