The Manufacture of Advanced Key Energy Infrastructure Technologies (MAKE IT) Prize aims to catalyze domestic manufacturing of critical clean energy technology components, moving manufacturing facilities from planning to shovel-ready and enabling strategies for vibrant manufacturing activities in communities. This prize, developed by the Office of Technology Transitions in partnership with the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations and the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, and administered by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, has a prize pool of approximately $30 million spread across two tracks: Facilities and Strategies.
The Strategies Track aims to help build interest and engagement around manufacturing clean energy technologies and expand the potential for more clean energy jobs and economic opportunity. In this track, competitors will be asked to develop a roadmap to establishing clean energy manufacturing in their region and get a letter of commitment from an entity interested in establishing a facility in their region.
This page outlines the eligibility and track structure for the Strategies Track. More information on the Strategies Track and instructions for competing can be found in the official rules document.
For information on the Facilities Track, where competitors develop clean energy technology manufacturing facilities to the point of being shovel-ready, please visit the Facilities Track HeroX page.
Competitor Eligibility
The Strategies Track is open to teams working to promote manufacturing activity development in their regions. More information on eligibility can be found in the official rules document.
Track Structure
The Strategies Track offers two opportunities to compete through two rounds. Each round includes three phases.
Phase 1: Engage: Competitors submit a narrative describing their team, region, potential elements to include in their roadmap, and a community engagement plan. Approximately 30 winners will be awarded $50,000 each across two rounds of competition and will advance to Phase 2: Create.
Phase 2: Create: Competitors submit their concept roadmap, including the results of their community engagement, and a list of potential manufacturers for the region. Approximately 20 winners will be awarded $100,000 each across two rounds of competition and will advance to Phase 3: Activate.
Phase 3: Activate: Competitors submit their final roadmaps and demonstrate commitment from at least one entity interested in establishing a clean energy manufacturing facility in the region. Approximately eight winners will be awarded $250,000 each across two rounds of competition.
Round 1 Phase 1: Engage Submission Deadline: October 18, 2023
Round 1 Phase 1:Engage Winner Announcement: approximately 60 days after deadline
Round 2 Phase 1: Engage Submission Deadline: February 15, 2024
Round 2 Phase 1: Engage Winner Announcement: approximately 60 days after deadline
Round 1 Phase 2: Create Submission Deadline: May 1, 2024
Round 1 Phase 2: Create Winner Announcement: approximately 60 days after deadline
Round 2 Phase 2: Create Submission Deadline: November 2024
Round 1 Phase 3: Activate Submission Deadline: November 2024
Round 2 Phase 2: Create Winner Announcement: approximately 60 days after deadline
Round 1 Phase 3: Activate Winner Announcement: approximately 60 days after deadline
Round 2 Phase 3: Activate Submission Deadline: May 2025
Round 2 Phase 3: Activate Winner Announcement: approximately 60 days after deadline
Informational Webinar
The MAKE IT Prize Strategies Track informational webinar recording gives an overview of the Strategies Track and its phases, timelines, and submission requirements. Watch the webinar recording to learn more.
Challenge Guidelines
The official rules document contains the complete application process and instructions for competing.
Follow the challenge page to receive the latest updates. For any questions, please use the contact feature on the HeroX platform or message us directly at
Guidelines
Please review the official rules for the complete application process and instructions for competing.
Follow the challenge page to receive the latest updates. For any questions, please use the contact feature on the HeroX platform or message us directly at
Congratulations to our new MAKE IT Prize winners! Twelve MAKE IT Prize Strategies Track winners each took home $50,000 from Round 2 Phase 1.
Strategies Track Round 2 Phase 1 winners will now join the Round 1 teams already competing in Phase 2 of the track to create a roadmap for clean energy manufacturing in their region and demonstrate interest from manufacturers.
Congratulations to the winning teams!
Building A Climate Resilient Future for All(Delaware)
Clean Energy Manufacturing in Mendenhall, MS (Mississippi)
Creating the Equitable Clean Energy Future (Georgia)
Inland SoCal for Advanced Manufacturing(California)
You’re invited to join us for a livestream announcement of Phase 1 winners from Strategies Track Round 2 and Facilities Track Primary Timeline of the MAKE IT Prize!
What: Department of Energy MAKE IT Prize Live Announcement
When: Thursday, April 11, 2024 from 1:30 to 2:30pm CT
Agenda:
Opening Remarks
Winner Announcement
Panel Discussion: Growing the New Clean Energy Manufacturing Base in the Midwest
The announcement of winners from Strategies Track Round 2 Phase 1: Engage will happen this coming Thursday, April 11 (anticipated). Winners will be notified individually and publicly posted on HeroX.
Reminder: The submission deadline for teams competing in Round 1 Phase 2 is May 2. Remember to reference the Resources tab for a helpful narrative template and Official Prize Rules.
Have you completed your application submission for Round 2 of the Strategies Track? If yes, great work! Please carry on with your day.
If no, you have until 5 p.m. ET on Feb. 15, 2024—2 days from now. Review the Strategies Track official rules document and informational webinar to learn what to include and how to submit.
Did you know you can strengthen your MAKE IT Prize submission by working with disadvantaged communities that could benefit from the clean energy manufacturing economy?
The MAKE IT Prize will award approximately $30 million in prizes to catalyze the domestic manufacturing of critical clean energy technology components, moving manufacturing facilities from planning to shovel-ready and enabling strategies for vibrant manufacturing activity in communities.
Guided by the Justice40 (J40) Initiative principles, one of the main objectives of this prize is to support the creation of economic and job opportunities related to clean energy for all Americans. The J40 Initiative directs that 40% of the benefits from certain federal investments—including those related to clean energy and energy efficiency—flow to disadvantaged communities (DACs).
As part of its commitment to J40, the Department of Energy (DOE) is following these eight priorities as guiding principles for all programs covered under the initiative:
Decrease energy burden in disadvantaged communities (DACs).
Decrease environmental exposure and burdens for DACs.
Increase parity in clean energy technology access and adoption in DACs.
Increase access to low-cost capital in DACs.
Increase clean energy enterprise creation and contracting in DACs.
Increase clean energy jobs, job pipeline, and job training for individuals from DACs.
Increase energy resiliency in DACs.
Increase energy democracy in DACs.
Through the MAKE IT Prize, DOE aims to promote quality employment, equitable economic development, and other benefits of manufacturing within disadvantaged communities.
How to Make J40 Principles Shine in Your Submission
Consideration for the J40 Initiatives is an important piece of the MAKE IT Prize Strategies track. A successful Phase 1: Engage submission should exhibit this consideration by:
Demonstrating an understanding of the region and its communities.
Highlighting potential impacts to disadvantaged communities.
Showcasing the potential to meaningfully address at least one of the eight priorities listed above.
Want to help make sure the clean energy transition benefits those in your community? Submit your materials for Phase 1: Engage of the MAKE IT Strategies Track by Feb. 15!
