Georgia Tech's Strategic Energy Institute (SEI) in cooperation with the Office of the Senior Vice Provost for Research and Innovation announces a call for proposals via its annual seed funding program for innovation in energy research. The Creating Energy Options (CEO) Program will fund two to three seed grants in amounts ranging from $30,000 to $50,000 for one year. These funds are intended to stimulate innovative research endeavors that have the potential to create near term solutions for energy related concerns.

Innovation in science and engineering has been a dominant force for economic development during the past century. The transformation of technology creation into real world economic prosperity provides tangible benefits throughout the world. It is essential that we lead the way in developing near term energy solutions to address critical economic, environmental, and societal challenges. For this reason, the CEO Program funds will focus on those technologies and ideas that have the potential to be commercialized or streamline the processes involved in the implementation of innovative energy options within three to five years.

Although the Creating Energy Options Program recommends the use of funding for significant student interaction and support, it is not limited to this area. Proposals will be evaluated on innovation in multiple respects, including the strategy with which the proposed work will be accomplished. The funds will not support a continuation of previously funded research unless it is shown that a new and unique direction in research will be established with the goal of near term implementation. A proposal guide is attached.

The CEO Program is open to all Georgia Tech faculty members and researchers. Collaborations and creative interdisciplinary activities are encouraged. The proposal submission period begins on March 10, 2008, and ends April 10, 2008. All proposals should be sent to Mary Hallisey Hunt (mary.hunt@energy.gatech.edu) at the Strategic Energy Institute (SEI), A review panel designated by SEI and the Senior VP for Research will determine the grant recipients and funding will be awarded in early May, 2008. Please direct questions to Mary Hallisey Hunt via email or at 404-385-3065.