Colorado-Wyoming Climate Resilience Engine announces use-inspired and translation grant opportunities to accelerate climate innovation

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The University of Colorado is a proud partner of the Colorado-Wyoming Climate Resilience Engine (), one of ten inaugural awardees under the National Science Foundation (NSF) Regional Innovation Engines initiative. The CO-WY Engine to accelerate the research, development and commercialization of innovations into tangible products, services or solutions that address climate resiliency.

The seeks to accelerate the commercialization of innovations addressing climate resiliency. Proposals should demonstrate a solid product-market fit, collaboration with industry partners, and a roadmap for securing additional funding.

The aims to foster the research and development of innovative data, technology or practice solutions for advancing climate technologies and community resiliency. This program is intended for projects not yet licensed or optioned.

Priority areas for this cycle include complex Earth sensing, soil carbon capture data and analytics, methane emissions analysis, extreme weather modeling, wildfire risk and prediction, and water availability prediction.

Grant Program Goals

Enhance the Pathway for Climate Resilience Solutions:
Bridge the Funding/Resource Gap
Support Growth of the Climate Innovation Ecosystem:
Foster Inclusivity

General Program Information

The Engine anticipates the possibility of two program cycles in the 2024 award year:

First Application Cycle: Opens Monday, July 22, 2024; due Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024, 5 p.m. MT
Second Application Cycle (if budget allows): Expected to open Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025; due Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, 5 p.m. MT

Selected projects will receive funding from $250,000 to $750,000 for the Translation Grant Program and up to $300,000 for the Use-Inspired Research and Development Grant Program. Each program cycle will have a project period of one year, with the possibility of a formal no-cost extension for up to six months, subject to approval.

Translation grant proposals must be led and submitted by startup ventures or one of the following Colorado and Wyoming higher education institutions.

Use-Inspired Research and Development Grant proposals must be led and submitted by one of the following Colorado and Wyoming higher education institutions.

Collaborations funded or unfunded with other non-lead cross-sector partners in the region are allowed and highly encouraged.

Applications are due by 5 p.m. MT on the submission deadline date and must be submitted electronically via the CO-WY Engine website. No late submissions will be accepted.

Eligible institutions include

Colorado School of Mines
Colorado State University
Metro State University
University of Colorado Boulder
University of Colorado Denver
University of Northern Colorado
University of Wyoming

“We are thrilled to launch this combined grant program, which represents a huge milestone for the CO-WY Engine and an incredible opportunity for our region. By supporting both early-stage research and the translation of these innovations into practical solutions, we aim to build a robust ecosystem that drives sustainable growth and addresses the urgent challenges faced by our communities. This initiative is a testament to the collaborative spirit and dedication of our partners across Colorado and Wyoming,” said Mike Freeman, CO-WY Engine CEO.

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