subpart 1—national clean energy technology transfer programs
§19301. National Clean Energy Incubator Program
(a) Clean energy incubator defined
In this section, the term "clean energy incubator"—
(1) means any entity that is designed to accelerate the commercial application of clean energy technologies by providing—
(A) physical workspace, labs, and prototyping facilities to support clean energy startups or established clean energy companies; or
(B) companies developing such technologies with support, resources, and services, including—
(i) access to business education and counseling;
(ii) mentorship opportunities; and
(iii) other services rendered for the purpose of aiding the development and commercial application of a clean energy technology; and
(2) may include a program within or established by a National Laboratory, an institution of higher education or a State, territorial, local, or tribal government.
(b) Program establishment
Not later than 180 days after the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, acting through the Chief Commercialization Officer established in
(c) Clean energy incubator selection
In awarding grants to clean energy incubators under subsection (b), the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, prioritize funding clean energy incubators that—
(1) partner with entities that carry out activities relevant to the activities of such incubator and that operate at the local, State, and regional levels;
(2) support the commercial application activities of startup companies focused on physical hardware, computational, or integrated hardware and software technologies;
(3) are located in geographically diverse regions of the United States, such as the Great Lakes region;
(4) are located in, or partner with entities located in, economically-distressed areas;
(5) support the development of entities focused on expanding clean energy tools and technologies to rural, Tribal, and low-income communities;
(6) support the commercial application of technologies being developed by clean energy entrepreneurs from underrepresented backgrounds; and
(7) have a plan for sustaining activities of the incubator after grant funds received under this program have been expended.
(d) Award limits
The Secretary shall not award more than $4,000,000 to one or more incubators in one given State, per fiscal year.
(e) Duration
Each grant under subsection (b) shall be for a period of no longer than 5 years, subject to the availability of appropriations.
(f) Use of funds
An entity receiving a grant under this section may use grant amounts for operating expenses.
(g) Renewal
An award made to a clean energy incubator under this section may be renewed for a period of not more than 3 years, subject to merit review.
(h) Evaluation
In accordance with
(i) Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2027.
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§19302. Clean Energy Technology University Prize competition
(a) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Eligible entity
The term "eligible entity" means a nonprofit entity, an institution of higher education, or an entity working with one or more institutions of higher education.
(2) Minority-serving institution
The term "minority-serving institution" means an institution described in
(b) In general
The Secretary shall establish a program, known as the "Clean Energy Technology University Prize", to award funding for eligible entities to carry out regional and one national clean energy technology prize competitions, under
(c) Training funding
In carrying out this program, the Secretary may provide funding to train participating students in skills needed for the successful commercial application of clean energy technologies, including through virtual training sessions.
(d) Prioritization
In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall prioritize awarding grants to eligible entities that work with students at minority-serving institutions.
(e) Coordination
In carrying out this program, the Secretary shall coordinate and partner with other clean energy technology prize competitions. In doing so, the Secretary may develop and disseminate best practices for administering prize competitions under this section.
(f) Report
In accordance with
(g) Evaluation
In accordance with
(h) Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the activities authorized in this section $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2027.
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§19303. Clean energy technology transfer coordination
(a) In general
The Secretary, acting through the Chief Commercialization Officer established in
(1) facilitate the sharing of information on best practices for successful operation of clean energy technology transfer programs;
(2) coordinate resources and improve cooperation among clean energy technology transfer programs;
(3) facilitate connections between entrepreneurs and start-up companies and the variety of programs related to clean energy technology transfer under the Department; and
(4) facilitate the development of metrics to measure the impact of clean energy technology transfer programs on—
(A) advancing the development, demonstration, and commercial application of clean energy technologies;
(B) increasing the competitiveness of United States in the clean energy sector, including in manufacturing; and
(C) commercial application of clean energy technologies being developed by entrepreneurs from under-represented backgrounds.
(b) Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the activities in this section $3,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2027.
(