MAKE IT Prize Strategies Track

Yes, but it’s quick and easy. Just click the “Solve this Challenge” button on this page and follow the instructions to complete your registration. All you need to provide is your name and email address.

If you have a question not answered in the FAQ, we recommend that you post it in the Forum where someone will respond to you. This way, others who may have the same question will be able to see it.

The competition is open to entities that work to promote clean energy technology manufacturing, economic development, and growth in their region. This includes, but is not limited, to private entities (forprofits and nonprofits), consortia, academic institutions, nongovernmental organizations, and nonfederal government entities (such as tribes, states, counties, and municipalities) in the United States, subject to the following requirements:

• Private entities must be incorporated in and maintain a primary place of business in the United States. 
• Academic institutions must be based in the United States.

Innovation is about making ideas happen. The American-Made Network will accelerate and sustain clean energy innovation through a diverse and powerful network that includes national laboratories, energy incubators, facilities, and other valuable industry partners from across the U.S. who will engage, connect, mentor, and boost the efforts of Community Clean Energy Coalition competitors.

See who is in the network.

Power Connector organizations are a core group of Connectors that will work alongside NREL to implement parts of the program and secure additional resources and partners.

Discover who they are and how they will help innovators succeed.

https://americanmadechallenges.org/power_connectors

If you encounter an issue when attempting to submit an entry to the challenge, you may need to contact HeroX or the Prize Administrator.

You may try to connect with HeroX using the online form which appears in the bottom right corner of your browser window, it says Leave a Message.

You may also send a message to the Prize Administrator inbox at MAKEITPrize@nrel.gov.

Please allow at least 1 business day for a response.

All of your files are uploaded as part of the submission form, access this by clicking the Begin Entry button.  The submission form contains an upload option for each of the required file entries.  Only PDF files will be accepted for upload.

Q: Can we use the prize to help an existing local manufacturer expand into clean energy, or does it need to attract a business from outside the region?

A: Yes, you can use the prize to help an existing local manufacturer expand into clean energy. Note that the potential impact of the proposed facility or facilities (for example, quality jobs created, economic growth generated) will be considered in assessment. Please see the official rules document for full details of how the manufacturer commitment will be assessed.

Q: Can we submit sales contracts in lieu of the letters of support?

A: Competitors may submit any supporting documentation that would be helpful, as long as it complies with submission requirements outlined in the rules.

Q: Are there eligible clean energy technologies (like there are in the Facilities track)?

A: All clean energy technologies are eligible in this track.

Q: Can one submit an application to both tracks?

A: Provided that all other eligibility and submission requirements are met, competitors may submit applications to both tracks.

Q: Can you expand on the expectations for tribal engagement in Phase 1: Engage?

A: There is not an explicit requirement for tribal engagement, but the degree to which the submission partners with or will benefit tribes or tribal communities may be considered in assessment. This prize is guided by the Justice40 Initiative so there is a specific emphasis on disadvantaged, overburdened, or underserved communities.

Q: What are promising technologies? If a technology in DOE roadmaps is mentioned as an attractive option, would this be considered promising?

A: This prize is open to manufacturing for any clean energy technologies. Any technology mentioned as promising in one of the DOE roadmaps or strategi documents would be of interest. 

Q: Are facilities or strategies that involve HUB zones favored or given greater weight during judging?

A: This Track considers if your region is defined as a disadvantaged, overburdened, or underserved community that would benefit from new opportunities driven by clean energy manufacturing, which can include HUB zones. Please see the official rules for definitions. 

Q: If a plan potentially covers multiple regions, but would be initiated and tested in one region, should the proposal focus on the initial region?

A: Yes. Please focus on the region in which this project will work during the competition period. 

My team submitted to Round 1 and was declined an award.  I see that my region of focus is not part of the awardees from Round 1.  Should that encourage one to apply again to Round 2? 

Competitors who submit to but do not win Phase 1: Engage awards in Round 1 may submit to Round 2; however, DOE recommends that competitors prepare their second submission considering the feedback provided from their first submission. 

Can a private entity be an LLC? You said “must be incorporated” which could mean it needs to have a corporate designation. 

A private entity may be an LLC. Private entities must be incorporated in the United States but can be a variety of legal designations, so long as they are legally an entity within the U.S. and maintain their primary place of business in the United States.  

Can you provide some examples of a “Consortia”? 

A structured group of several businesses or organizations with the same mission or goals. 

Is there any email I can send particular questions? 

We cannot answer questions about specific submissions, please refer to our Power Connector, the Clean Energy Business Network, for further assistance.  

Is it important to include local organizations like a trade organization as a team member or can they be referenced as an entity that would be contacted as part of the roadmap? 

Competitors are encouraged to partner with local organizations and it is likely that the number of partners and/or size of the team will grow as competitors progress through the prize. At this phase, the narrative requests that competitors identify the staff and other resources required to complete the roadmap, planned engagement, and outreach; demonstrate access to or a plan to obtain the identified resources.  

Where can a letter of intent be submitted? 

Statements of Intent are required for the Facilities track and should be submitted at https://www.herox.com/make-it-facilities. The Strategies track requires a Phase 1: Engage submission via https://www.herox.com/make-it-strategies. Strategies track competitors are not required to submit a Statement of Intent.  

If you received no feedback from Round 1, how do you acquire it? 

All Team Captains from Round 1 should have received feedback on their submissions. If you do not have the feedback, please contact MAKEITprize@nrel.gov for further information.  

How is the prize money distributed? Is it taxed or are there other hold backs? 

Prize funds are dispersed to winning teams within 60 days of the award announcement. The funds are taxable, and we recommend working with a CPA or tax advisor.  

Do you have to list every person on the team in the submission and summary slide?  

The Key Members of the team should be listed on the cover page of the submission, with their experience and expertise included in the narrative document. Other partners should also be listed. Please see the Official Rules and Narrative Template for more information. Power Connectors can advise on the specific submissions and the level of detail to provide.   

What level of detail is needed for the team member’s experience? Is a full resume recommended for instance? 

The aggregate Narrative document should not exceed 2,000 words. There is a section in the submission form requesting key member names and links to bios and/or professional sites. Power Connectors can advise on specific submissions and whether the level of detail provided is sufficient.