Opportunity Information: Apply for ERIC2010
Apply for ERIC2010
- The Energy Cluster Program in the business and commerce education employment, labor and training energy other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) regional development science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY2010 Energy Efficient Building Systems Regional Innovation Cluster Initiative" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 11.300 Investments for Public Works and Economic Development Facilities 11.307 Economic Adjustment Assistance 11.611 Manufacturing Extension Partnership 59.037 Small Business Development Centers 81.086 Conservation Research and Development.
- This funding opportunity was created on Feb 12, 2010 and posted on Feb 12, 2010.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 6, 2010. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $129,700,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $129,700,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- This joint FOA makes available discretionary grant funds from four government agencies each agency has its own eligibility requirements. Please see the full text of the FOA for more details.
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Opportunity Summary:
The FY2010 Energy Efficient Building Systems Regional Innovation Cluster (E-RIC) Initiative is a joint federal funding opportunity designed to launch and scale one regionally grounded innovation cluster focused on energy-efficient building systems. The overarching goal is to build a durable regional model that can be replicated nationally: one that speeds the development, demonstration, commercialization, and broad distribution of advanced building technologies, designs, and best practices, while also measurably reducing the United States carbon footprint. Alongside the technical and climate objectives, the initiative is explicitly economic development driven. It aims to create and retain good jobs, raise regional GDP, strengthen US competitiveness in global clean energy and building markets, and close workforce skill gaps through coordinated training and education pipelines aligned with employer demand.
At the center of the cluster is the Department of Energy (DOE) Energy Efficient Building Systems Design Hub (the Hub). The Hub is intended to function as the R and D engine and convening platform for the region, focusing on highly efficient building components and integrated systems, as well as design and modeling approaches that reduce energy use and minimize net greenhouse gas emissions. The FOA emphasizes that the Hub should help catalyze an industry-wide shift toward next-generation building technologies by connecting research capacity with real-world deployment pathways. That includes working through and with a broader consortium to link universities, industry partners, national laboratories, nonprofits, and local/state/regional governments with business incubators and accelerators, so that research outputs can translate into startup formation, supply-chain modernization, technology validation, and market adoption.
Structurally, this FOA is built around a multi-agency consortium model rather than a single standalone applicant. A consortium must submit one unified Proposal that contains four separate Applications, each directed to a different “Granting Agency,” plus a single Overarching RIC Narrative that explains how all parts fit together as one coherent regional innovation cluster. The required applications are: (1) a DOE application (submitted by the DOE co-applicant, which may include one or more DOE-eligible entities), (2) an Economic Development Administration (EDA) application (submitted by the EDA co-applicant, which may include one or more EDA-eligible entities), (3) a National Institute of Standards and Technology / Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NIST/MEP) application (submitted by the NIST co-applicant), and (4) a Small Business Administration (SBA) application (submitted by the SBA co-applicant, which may include one or more SBA-eligible entities). The co-applicants must also execute a written agreement to operate as a consortium. Even though the proposal is evaluated as one integrated package, each co-applicant in the winning consortium receives a separate award from the specific agency it applied to, reflecting the different missions involved (energy R and D, economic development, manufacturing extension, and small business support).
The initiative is explicitly regional and place-based. The E-RIC must operate within a defined geographic region that contains an active, bounded network of complementary organizations tied to the energy-efficient building systems and design industry. The FOA describes this as a region with established channels for business transactions and collaboration, shared infrastructure and labor markets, and ongoing dialogue among stakeholders. The region can cross jurisdictional boundaries (cities, counties, etc.), and while the hub and core cluster are regional, the FOA allows strategic partnerships with entities outside the region when they strengthen commercialization, technology validation, financing, or other cluster needs. The expected cluster composition includes local universities and government research centers and other R and D assets as catalysts for innovation, plus intentional connections to financing networks, business-to-business sales channels, and education and workforce development systems.
Funding is substantial and braided across agencies, with cost sharing or matching required (details depend on agency rules). DOE is the anchor funder, offering up to $22 million in the first year, with the possibility of up to $25 million per year for four additional years, subject to appropriations. EDA makes available up to $3 million in Public Works and Economic Development funds plus up to $2 million in Economic Adjustment Assistance for a single award over a period of performance up to five years. NIST/MEP provides up to $500,000 for one year, with the possibility of up to $500,000 per year for up to two additional years; these funds must go to an existing federally funded MEP Center to deliver services dedicated to the consortium, particularly to help transition technology into industry. SBA provides up to $300,000 in the first year, with three one-year renewal options up to $300,000 per year; these funds must go to an existing SBA-funded Small Business Development Center to provide services dedicated to growing the cluster’s entrepreneurial and small business base. Across the full FOA, the estimated total funding is about $129.7 million, and only one consortium proposal is expected to be selected for an award.
Beyond the four primary awarding agencies, the FOA also highlights how other federal partners are expected to align existing resources with the winning cluster. The Department of Labor (DOL) encourages workforce investment boards to participate and leverage Workforce Investment Act and related funds to recruit, train, and place workers into good jobs created by the cluster. The Department of Education (ED) encourages eligible state and local secondary and postsecondary partners using Perkins Act resources to support allowable career and technical education activities that address specialized skill shortages tied to the cluster’s needs, and ED offers technical assistance to help partners align permissible uses of existing formula funds. The National Science Foundation (NSF) indicates that if current NSF award recipients are part of the consortium or its partners, they may be eligible for NSF supplemental funding, providing another pathway to reinforce the R and D and talent components without creating an entirely separate standalone grant.
Key administrative details in the posted opportunity include: Funding Opportunity Number ERIC2010; instrument type Cooperative Agreement and Grant; opportunity category Discretionary; expected awards: 1; posted February 12, 2010; closing date May 6, 2010; and archive date June 5, 2010. The FOA spans multiple CFDA programs, including 81.086 (DOE Conservation Research and Development), 11.300 and 11.307 (EDA programs), 11.611 (NIST/MEP), and 59.037 (SBA Small Business Development Centers). Eligibility is not described as one uniform rule set because each participating agency applies its own eligibility requirements, so applicants are directed to the full FOA text for the specific qualifications and compliance conditions tied to each of the four required applications.
FY2010 Energy Efficient Building Systems Regional Innovation Cluster (E-RIC) Initiative - FAQs
What is the FY2010 Energy Efficient Building Systems Regional Innovation Cluster (E-RIC) Initiative?
The E-RIC Initiative is a joint federal funding opportunity intended to launch and scale one regionally grounded innovation cluster focused on energy-efficient building systems. It is designed to create a durable regional model that can be replicated nationally, accelerating the development, demonstration, commercialization, and broad distribution of advanced building technologies, designs, and best practices while measurably reducing the United States carbon footprint.
What are the main goals of this initiative?
The initiative combines technical, climate, and economic development goals. It aims to speed next-generation energy-efficient building technology development and adoption, reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, create and retain good jobs, raise regional GDP, strengthen US competitiveness in global clean energy and building markets, and close workforce skill gaps through coordinated training and education pipelines aligned with employer demand.
What is the DOE Energy Efficient Building Systems Design Hub (the Hub)?
The Hub is the central element of the cluster and is intended to serve as the region's R and D engine and convening platform. It focuses on highly efficient building components and integrated systems, plus design and modeling approaches that reduce energy use and minimize net greenhouse gas emissions. The Hub is expected to connect research capacity to real-world deployment pathways so innovations translate into validation, commercialization, supply-chain modernization, and market adoption.
Is this a grant for a single applicant, or does it require a consortium?
This opportunity is built around a multi-agency consortium model. A consortium must submit one unified Proposal that includes four separate Applications (one per designated Granting Agency) plus a single Overarching RIC Narrative describing how the parts integrate into one coherent regional innovation cluster.
How many awards will be made under this opportunity?
Only one consortium proposal is expected to be selected for an award.
What are the required components of the consortium's unified Proposal?
The unified Proposal must include: (1) a DOE application, (2) an EDA application, (3) a NIST/MEP application, (4) an SBA application, and a single Overarching RIC Narrative that explains how all four parts function together as a coordinated regional innovation cluster.
Which agencies are the four primary awarding (granting) agencies in this initiative?
The four primary awarding agencies are the Department of Energy (DOE), the Economic Development Administration (EDA), the National Institute of Standards and Technology / Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NIST/MEP), and the Small Business Administration (SBA).
Who submits each of the four required applications?
Each application is submitted by the corresponding co-applicant: the DOE co-applicant submits the DOE application; the EDA co-applicant submits the EDA application; the NIST co-applicant submits the NIST/MEP application; and the SBA co-applicant submits the SBA application. The DOE, EDA, and SBA co-applicants may include one or more eligible entities under their respective agency rules.
Do the co-applicants need a formal agreement to work together?
Yes. The co-applicants must execute a written agreement to operate as a consortium.
If selected, does the consortium receive one combined award or multiple awards?
Even though the Proposal is evaluated as one integrated package, each co-applicant in the winning consortium receives a separate award from the specific agency it applied to. The separate awards reflect each agency's mission area (energy R and D, economic development, manufacturing extension, and small business support).
Is the initiative limited to a specific geographic area?
Yes. The initiative is explicitly regional and place-based. The E-RIC must operate within a defined geographic region that has an active, bounded network of complementary organizations tied to the energy-efficient building systems and design industry.
What qualifies as a "region" for purposes of this cluster?
The FOA describes a region as having established channels for business transactions and collaboration, shared infrastructure and labor markets, and ongoing dialogue among stakeholders. The region can cross jurisdictional boundaries (such as multiple cities or counties).
Can the cluster partner with organizations outside the region?
Yes. While the Hub and core cluster are regional, the FOA allows strategic partnerships with entities outside the region when they strengthen commercialization, technology validation, financing, or other cluster needs.
What kinds of organizations are expected to be part of the cluster?
The expected composition includes local universities, government research centers, and other R and D assets that can catalyze innovation, along with connections to financing networks, business-to-business sales channels, and education and workforce development systems. The broader consortium is expected to link universities, industry partners, national laboratories, nonprofits, and local/state/regional governments, as well as business incubators and accelerators.
What is the initiative trying to accomplish in terms of commercialization and market adoption?
The initiative is designed to speed the path from R and D to real-world deployment by supporting technology development, demonstration, validation, startup formation, supply-chain modernization, and broad market adoption of advanced building technologies and best practices.
What types of funding are available from DOE under this initiative?
DOE is the anchor funder, offering up to $22 million in the first year, with the possibility of up to $25 million per year for four additional years, subject to appropriations.
What types of funding are available from EDA under this initiative?
EDA makes available up to $3 million in Public Works and Economic Development funds plus up to $2 million in Economic Adjustment Assistance for a single award over a period of performance up to five years.
What types of funding are available from NIST/MEP under this initiative?
NIST/MEP provides up to $500,000 for one year, with the possibility of up to $500,000 per year for up to two additional years. These funds must go to an existing federally funded MEP Center to deliver services dedicated to the consortium, particularly to help transition technology into industry.
What types of funding are available from SBA under this initiative?
SBA provides up to $300,000 in the first year, with three one-year renewal options up to $300,000 per year. These funds must go to an existing SBA-funded Small Business Development Center to provide services dedicated to growing the cluster's entrepreneurial and small business base.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
Yes. Cost sharing or matching is required, but details depend on each awarding agency's rules.
What is the estimated total funding across the full FOA?
The FOA estimates total funding at about $129.7 million across the participating agencies.
Are other federal agencies involved besides DOE, EDA, NIST/MEP, and SBA?
Yes. The FOA highlights expected alignment with other federal partners. The Department of Labor (DOL) encourages workforce investment boards to participate and leverage Workforce Investment Act and related funds. The Department of Education (ED) encourages eligible secondary and postsecondary partners to use Perkins Act resources for allowable career and technical education activities and offers technical assistance. The National Science Foundation (NSF) indicates that existing NSF award recipients involved in the consortium or partners may be eligible for NSF supplemental funding.
Does DOL provide separate E-RIC grant funding through this opportunity?
The information provided emphasizes that DOL encourages leveraging existing Workforce Investment Act and related funds; it does not describe DOL as one of the four primary awarding agencies for the required applications in this FOA.
Does ED provide separate E-RIC grant funding through this opportunity?
The information provided emphasizes that ED encourages partners to align and use existing Perkins Act formula resources for allowable activities and offers technical assistance; it does not describe ED as one of the four primary awarding agencies for the required applications in this FOA.
How might NSF support be connected to the cluster?
NSF indicates that if current NSF award recipients are part of the consortium or its partners, they may be eligible for NSF supplemental funding, which can reinforce the R and D and talent components without creating an entirely separate standalone grant.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this FOA?
The Funding Opportunity Number is ERIC2010.
What is the funding instrument type?
The instrument type listed is Cooperative Agreement and Grant.
What is the opportunity category?
The opportunity category is Discretionary.
When was the opportunity posted and when was it due?
The opportunity was posted on February 12, 2010, and the closing date was May 6, 2010.
When was the opportunity archived?
The archive date is June 5, 2010.
Which CFDA programs are associated with this opportunity?
The FOA spans multiple CFDA programs, including 81.086 (DOE Conservation Research and Development), 11.300 and 11.307 (EDA programs), 11.611 (NIST/MEP), and 59.037 (SBA Small Business Development Centers).
Is there one uniform eligibility standard for the entire consortium?
No. Eligibility is not described as one uniform rule set because each participating agency applies its own eligibility requirements. Applicants are directed to the full FOA text for the specific qualifications and compliance conditions tied to each of the four required applications.
What does "regionally grounded innovation cluster" mean in this FOA?
It refers to a place-based network of complementary organizations within a defined geographic region, tied to the energy-efficient building systems and design industry, and connected through established collaboration and business channels, shared infrastructure and labor markets, and ongoing stakeholder dialogue.
What is the relationship between the Hub and the broader consortium?
The Hub is intended to operate as the central R and D and convening platform, while the broader consortium connects universities, industry, national labs, nonprofits, governments, incubators, and accelerators to ensure research outputs can move into validation, commercialization, and adoption through coordinated regional pathways.
What kinds of outcomes does the FOA emphasize measuring or achieving?
The FOA emphasizes measurable reductions in the US carbon footprint, faster development and distribution of advanced building technologies and best practices, and economic outcomes such as job creation and retention, increased regional GDP, stronger competitiveness, and closing workforce skill gaps through aligned training and education pipelines.
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