This Strategic Energy Institute funding program solicits thought leadership planning and/or convening proposals with a particular emphasis on activities where external funding is difficult to obtain, yet that are important in terms of promoting one of the following three SEI goals:

1) Developing and nurturing the energy research community across the campus and in the state

2) Growing the resource base for GT energy research

3) Growing the thought leadership projected by GT

For example, we want to facilitate planning activities that define frameworks, develop roadmaps, and convene thought-leaders around complex energy issues. Proposals that link up groups across different colleges and campus units such as GTRI and EII are highly encouraged, particularly those that integrate technical discipline expertise with system analyses or economics/policy/business aspects.

Thought leadership Proposals submitted under this program can span activities ranging from a few hundred dollars up to a maximum of $5,000 and can span time ranges from one day up to one year.

Activities contemplated under this RFP are not limited to, but could include:

• Pre-planning activities or team development for integrated techno-economic studies that frame issues and define frameworks for thinking through complex, integrated energy problems. 
• Financial and organizational support for internal workshops to organize ourselves internally, either toward some anticipated opportunity or to help frame and define an external opportunity.
• Financial and organizational support for external workshops to develop consensus or recommendations around some energy issue.
• Financial support for pulling together proposals in response to large external solicitations.

This list is certainly not comprehensive and we look forward to the novel and thought provoking ideas which will come out of the proposed planning activities.  Please note that this RFP is NOT soliciting technical research proposals. Questions may be directed to Christine Conwell at cconwell@gatech.edu.

Program Eligibility

This program is open to Georgia Tech faculty and professional staff. It is also open to students who will be actively enrolled for the duration of a proposed project and who have a faculty liaison or sponsor for the project. The solicitation is not open to individuals enrolled in professional education courses or those previously employed or enrolled at Georgia Tech.

**Requests for funding should include a summary of proposed activities, a timeline for completion, and a budget that includes a breakdown of how the funds will be used in support of the project.

**PLEASE NOTE: It is the responsibility of awardees to adhere to all GT policies regarding food and alcohol purchases (see links to GT policies below).

• http://www.policylibrary.gatech.edu/business-finance/procurement-group-meals-employees-students-and-official-visitors
• http://policylibrary.gatech.edu/campus-use-facilities/campus-alcohol-policy

If requested, food and alcohol must be included as separate line items (one for each) in the proposed budget and will be awarded separately in a designated SEI project to ensure all appropriate GT policies and procedures are followed. Any deviation may result in denial of reimbursement.