The US Department of Energy announced the availability of $37.5 million in funding over the next five years to support the U.S.-China Clean Energy Research Center.
Funding will be matched by the grantees to support $75 million in total U.S. research that will focus on advancing technologies for building energy efficiency, clean coal including carbon capture and storage, and clean vehicles. The Clean Energy Research Center (CERC) will be located in existing facilities in both the U.S. and China and will include an additional $75 million in Chinese funding.
Energy Secretary Steven Chu said cooperation between China and the US is crucial creating US cleantech jobs. “By jointly developing new technologies and learning from China’s experiences, we can create new export opportunities for American companies and ensure that we remain on the cutting edge of innovation. This partnership will also be a foundation for broader partnerships with China on cutting carbon pollution,” he said.
President Obama and President Hu Jintao formally announced the establishment of the CERC during the President’s trip to Beijing last November. The CERC will facilitate joint research and development of clean energy technologies by teams of scientists and engineers from both the U.S. and China, as well as serve as a clearinghouse to help researchers in each country.
Funding from the U.S. Government will be used to support work conducted by U.S. institutions and individuals only, DOE said.
DOE will provide one award for each of the CERC’s initial work areas–building efficiency, clean coal and clean vehicles. Universities, national labs, private companies and other relevant entities are eligible to apply through Grants.gov. Applications are due by Friday, May 14 with selections expected this summer. The full Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is available on FedConnect’s public opportunities page.
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Read Reuters coverage at the link below.
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