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Applications Open for Columbia’s Carbontech Development Initiative Research and Commercialization Grants
November 22, 2022
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The Carbontech Development Initiative (CDI) is pleased announce the opening of its inaugural solicitation round. CDI is now welcoming applications for three Research Programs supporting research for accelerating technology from benchtop to commercialization and two Carbontech Commercialization Programs that support startups at mid- and late-stage commercialization through funding and/or training interventions. Overall, total grants of up to $2.75 million will be made to the cohort.
Interested researchers and startups can apply here.
Key dates
Applications are due by 11:59pm on January 13, 2023. CDI will select applicants in December 2022 and award grants in January 2023. CDI will host three optional virtual information sessions to provide additional information. Key dates for CDI’s first application cohort are listed below:
November 22: Application portal opens
November 29 (11 a.m. EST): Virtual info session #1 (Register here)
December 1 (3 p.m. EST): Virtual info session #2 (Register here)
December 8 (11 a.m. EST): Virtual info session #3 (Register here)
December 13 (3 p.m. EST): Virtual info session #4 (Register here)
December 20 (11 a.m. EST): Virtual info session #5 (Register here)
January 13, 2023: Applications close (11:59 pm)
February 2023: Awardees selected and notified
April 2023: Public award announcements
About CDI
Based out of the Center on Global Energy Policy (CGEP) at Columbia University the program is one component of a larger Carbontech Development Initiative, administered through the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to transform New York State into a hub for the carbontech industry by supporting researchers and entrepreneurs, facilitating technology transfer, and commercializing innovation. By leveraging the deep bench of technical expertise at Columbia and the entrepreneurial dynamism of New York State, CDI will advance the potential and understanding of carbontech as a new frontier in efforts to confront the climate crisis and catalyze economic development.
“CDI’s research and commercialization programs provide first-of-a-kind opportunities for thinkers and entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds, skillsets, technology emphases, and stages of development to accelerate the pace of carbontech innovation and commercialization,” said CDI Managing Director Erik Funkhouser. “Beyond providing substantial financial and in-kind resources, CDI is a platform for hosting and developing critical human capital in New York State, to benefit the State’s just transition goals and the global carbontech market.”
NYSERDA Director of Technology to Market Katie MacDonald said, “NYSERDA is proud to support the Carbontech Development Initiative and we are excited to see applications open to support innovators harnessing excess carbon to develop sustainable products. This program is helping New York build pathways to eliminate emissions in hard to decarbonize sectors and build new industries that can help us reach our climate and clean energy goals.”
CDI aims to incubate promising research initiatives and startups working on key facets of the carbontech value chain under three technology areas:
CO2 capture technology innovation (e.g., direct air capture, direct ocean capture, CO2 capture from waste-to-energy, innovative sorbent regeneration)
CO2-to-building materials innovation (e.g., carbon mineralization of waste, CO2 curing of concrete, magnesium-based construction materials)
CO2-to-chemicals, fuels, and materials (e.g., electrochemical CO2 conversion, materials that host both CO2 capture and conversion via tandem reactions)
CDI will provide structured, carbontech specific training support to overcome technical and business barriers to commercialization including:
Sessions on customer discovery, commercialization of technology, and narrative building
Workshops on people operations, building investor pipelines, and business development
Networking events with New York State investors to expand on their funding portfolios
Daniela Bushiri, a chemical engineer pursuing her PhD at Columbia University, is on a mission to drive sustainable solutions in our evolving energy landscape. With a background in...
