A second round of funding has been announced for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Small Business Innovations Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs for 2018. The funding amounts to about $16 million, to be awarded to small businesses with innovations that address multiple research and development programs throughout the DOE.

DOE programs included are offices of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation, Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Environmental Management, Fossil Energy, Fusion Energy Sciences, High Energy Physics and Nuclear Energy.

The first round of funding, about $23 million, was announced in October. Program offices included in that funding are Advanced Scientific Computing Research, Basic Energy Sciences, Biological and Environmental Research and Nuclear Physics. Together, the two funding announcements constitute phase I of the SBIR and STTR programs.

The SBIR and STTR programs were created by Congress to leverage small businesses to advance innovation at federal agencies.

“U.S. small businesses are a crucial aspect in driving innovation and creating jobs in our economy,” said Energy Secretary Perry, in a statement. “The SBIR and STTR programs are an excellent way for small businesses and the federal government to team up to advance scientific research and development, creating a more secure energy future for America.”

Phase I grants will be six to 12 months in duration with maximum award amounts of $150,000 or $225,000, depending on the research topic. Businesses that successfully complete their research in phase I will compete for funding in phase II, which will carry out prototype or processes research and development. Phase II grants are up to two years in duration with maximum award amounts of $1 million or $1.5 million, depending on the research topic. Approximately 40 percent of phase I awardees that apply for phase II will be accepted, according to the DOE.

More details on DOE SBIR/STTR funding can be found here.