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American-Made Challenges

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Open Voucher Call

Accelerating technology commercialization while connecting the public with U.S. Department of Energy National Laboratory facilities.

This challenge is closed

stage:
Submission Deadline
prize:
$2,100,000

This challenge is closed

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Summary
Timeline
Updates10
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Teams767
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Summary

Overview

A new kind of American-Made opportunity created by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Office of Technology Transitions, the Technology Commercialization Fund (TCF) Open Voucher Call, will provide the public with opportunities to receive technical assistance from researchers at DOE National Laboratory facilities.   
 

The $2.1 million TCF Open Voucher Call will help facilitate the commercialization of scientific discoveries by helping to identify pathways by which technological breakthroughs can make their way to market. Although a variety of technologies will be considered, applicants are encouraged to leverage the capabilities and initiatives of the National Laboratories when developing their ideas so they can further develop their technology alongside the National Lab. 


Successful applicants will receive vouchers—valid for testing and validation, use of specialized equipment or software, simulation or modeling, consulting, or various other requests from a National Laboratory—which will ultimately allow them to advance their technologies. In this way, the call will foster a culture of curiosity and collaboration while bridging the gap between scientific expertise and public engagement.   


Through the TCF Open Voucher Call, DOE intends to inspire a new generation of researchers and instill a sense of shared responsibility for advancing knowledge and innovation within the scientific community.  

Open Voucher Call Structure 

This single-phase open voucher call will award up to 21 teams a voucher of up to $100,000 to be redeemed at one of these eight national laboratories:   

  • National Renewable Energy Laboratory   
  • Sandia National Laboratories   
  • Pacific Northwest National Laboratory   
  • Los Alamos National Laboratory   
  • Ames National Laboratory   
  • Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory   
  • Argonne National Laboratory  
  • Oak Ridge National Laboratory.   

See the National Laboratories Capabilities section of the Official Rules for more information on the types of technologies each laboratory can assist with or explore the Lab Partnering Service for further information.     


For each voucher awarded, winning teams will be required to provide a minimum cost share of $25,000 (either cash or in-kind). Teams will have one year to work with one National Laboratory of their choice and provide a progress report at the conclusion of their work.    


Guidelines

The competition is open only to private entities (for-profits and nonprofits); non-federal government entities such as states, counties, tribes, and municipalities; academic and research institutions; and individuals, subject to the requirements detailed in the official TCF Open Voucher Call rules.   

If you want to subscribe to updates, click the "Follow" button at the top of the page. If you have any questions, you may use the contact feature on the HeroX platform, or

Timeline
Updates10

Challenge Updates

Update – Voucher Recipient Announcement Further Postponed

Dec. 4, 2024, 3:15 p.m. PST by NREL Prize Moderator

The TCF Open Voucher Call voucher recipient announcement has been further postponed and is now anticipated in the first quarter of 2025. We will update the HeroX Timeline accordingly as the new announcement date is solidified. 

 

Once again, thank you for your patience and we look forward to announcing voucher recipients as soon as possible!

 

You can contact  with any questions. 


Voucher Recipient Announcement Postponed

Nov. 18, 2024, 11:32 a.m. PST by NREL Prize Moderator

Please note that the TCF Open Voucher Call voucher recipient announcement has been postponed. The announcement is now anticipated in December, and we will update the HeroX Timeline accordingly as dates are solidified. 

 

Thank you for your patience and we look forward to announcing voucher recipients soon!

 

You can contact with any questions. 


Just 3 Days Left to Submit Your TCF Open Voucher Call Application!

Sept. 30, 2024, 2:18 p.m. PDT by NREL Prize Administrator

This Thursday is the final day to submit an application for the TCF Open Voucher Call! 

Innovators with clean tech ideas, now is your chance to apply for a voucher worth $100,000 that gives you access and assistance from the U.S. Department of Energy’s national labs and researchers!

 

Pro Tip: Take advantage of the resources in the “Resources” tab to help you complete a strong submission. 

 

Submit your application before Thursday Oct. 3 at 5 p.m. ET. We recommend submitting early to avoid any technical difficulties. 

 

Remember – There is NO save function while you are completing the application and you will not receive a confirmation or copy of your submission. 

 

Reach out to  with any questions. 


Please Note: No Save Function for Submission Form

Sept. 17, 2024, 11:54 a.m. PDT by NREL Prize Moderator

Please note that there will be no save function when you go to submit your TCF Open Voucher Call application! 

  

We highly recommend using the submission template from the official prize rules to craft your responses in a separate document, then copy and paste them into the submission form and submit all at once when you are ready. 
 
Additionally, please note that once you submit your application for the voucher you will not receive a confirmation or copy of your submission. We apologize for this inconvenience. 

  

Please contact openvouchercall@nrel.gov with any questions. 


New Resources and Updates – Take Note and Apply Before Oct 3

Sept. 9, 2024, 6 a.m. PDT by NREL Prize Moderator

New Resource - List of National Lab Prioritized IP 

A list of National Lab Prioritized IP has been to the ‘Resources’ tab. The list shows intellectual property (IP) that has been identified as a priority by some of the participating labs. This may mean the IP either aligns with topic areas identified for the voucher call, aligns with researchers identified to assist with the vouchers, or is closer to commercialization than other lab IP. 

 

*Please note that all National Lab IP can be included as part of your submission. This list simply serves as an additional resource.  

 

Important Note – No Submission Confirmation 

Please note that once you submit your application for the voucher there will be no confirmation of submission and no copies of the submission sent to you.  

 

Connect With National Lab Researchers Before Sept. 20 

If you’re looking to connect with national lab researchers to discuss national lab IP, reach out to openvouchercall@nrel.gov as soon as possible! Administrators for the TCF Open Voucher Call will not be able to facilitate any connections around national lab IP after Sept. 20. 

 

Best of luck and we look forward to seeing your submissions!  

 


Forum10
Teams767
Resources
FAQ