Explore-2-Build (E2B) Clean Energy

This cycle of the Explore-2-Build (E2B) initiative is funded through the Grand Challenge investment in Environmental Resilience & Sustainability made as part of the University’s Great and Good 2030 Plan. In this cycle of the E2B initiative, we intend to strengthen UVA’s research portfolio on clean energy. Since catalysis was supported as part of the same Grand Challenge Initiative, proposals that directly advance catalysis are excluded from this competition.

The E2B on Clean Energy is seeking proposals that adopt a cross-disciplinary, innovative, and comprehensive approach to propel the advancement of science, technology, and the adoption of clean energy technologies. These proposals should leverage the existing strengths of our faculty and have the potential to create a global impact. Competitive proposals will have high potential for follow-on external funding at the “center” scale.

For the purposes of this solicitation, clean energy refers to energy derived from renewable sources such as wind, solar, geothermal, biomass, and hydropower where UVA has demonstrated strength. It also encompasses advancements in technologies for the storage and distribution of clean energy, developments in materials that significantly impact energy consumption across sectors like transportation, industry, and agriculture, as well as the promotion of a carbon-neutral economy.

Proposals that tackle barriers and opportunities related to the adoption of clean energy technologies must maintain a strong emphasis on STEM initiatives within the clean energy domain.

Awards will be for up to $300,000 for three-year projects ($100,000 per year, max). The start date will be January 2024; anticipated end date is December 2026.

Review Criteria:

• Is the topic responsive to the solicitation in terms of area, potential for extramural support, and interdisciplinary across disciplines/departments/schools?
• Is the size and scope of the proposed E2B project appropriate to help the team compete effectively for extramural support to achieve the overall vision proposed?
• Does the proposal provide evidence for substantial existing strength in the area of research proposed?
• Does the proposal contextualize this strength in terms of other competing groups and institutions? In other words, what is the differentiator from existing efforts? What is UVA’s competitive advantage?
• Does the overall vision of the proposed project aim to create a global impact?
• Are the investigators qualified to conduct the proposed activities? Do they have an appropriate level of expertise to be credible and competitive for external funding for their proposed activities?
• Are there adequate resources available to the investigators to carry out the proposed activities?
• Does the proposal describe a credible approach to pursue external funding?

Proposal due by 5pm on November 13, 2023. Submit by email to Cheryl-vpr@virginia.edu

Submit a single PDF. Use 1” margins, single-spaced, and at least 11pt Calibri or 10pt Arial font which contains:

• PDF file name: NameOfProject.LastNameLeadPI.pdf
• Project Narrative section (3-page limit; must include these subheadings in this order):
  • Proposed Name of the Initiative
  • Vision, Mission, and Objectives
    • What problem are you trying to solve or what concepts are you trying to explore?
    • Describe the project’s potential for global impact.
  • Planned Activities and Outcomes
  • Investigator and Participant Qualifications
    • Include names and credentials for lead participants, including funded and unfunded work in the focus are for the proposed initiative.
  • UVA Competitive Advantage
    • Describe UVA’s strengths in this field and your competitive advantage in context of other groups and universities.
    • Describe existing (and planned) resources to be leveraged in support of the proposed activities.
  • Plan to Seek External Funding
    • Describe at least one specific opportunity (currently active or recurring) aligned with the proposed E2B project.
• CVs (Two-pages for each key personnel)
• Budget Outline ($100,000/year for 3 years)
  • The program allows a maximum of 15 days of faculty salary support per year.
  • Overall faculty salaries cannot exceed more than 20% of the total project proposal budget.
  • Budget justification
• Supporters
  • Include names and contact information of faculty, any outside faculty affiliations, and other strategic partners, such as Deans and Department Chairs, who agree to support this effort and how.