Energy Catalyst round 8: clean energy access, feasibility projects

Description

1) Objective

The aim of this competition is to support highly innovative, market-focused energy solutions in any technology or sector. Your project must encourage the development of products and services that help countries in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, South East Asia or multiple regions access secure, low cost and low carbon energy. They must be targeted at people, public services and local enterprises who are unable to afford or access existing solutions, or who lack the time or expertise to successfully use those solutions.

Your proposal must also address all 3 elements of the energy ‘trilemma’: (1) cost; (2) emissions; (3) security of supply and energy access
There are 3 options to apply into this competition. These are referred to as strands and will be run in parallel. The strands are dependent on the stage your project is at: (1) Early stage for feasibility studies (this strand); (2) Mid-stage for industrial research; (3) Late stage for experimental development. This is the early stage competition for feasibility studies. It is your responsibility to make sure you submit your application for the correct stage.

DFID is also particularly interested in supporting projects in the areas of:

• modern cooking
• sustainable cooling
• next generation solar
• efficient and productive appliances
• technologies and business models which help leave no-one behind

2) Eligibility

To be eligible for funding you can be from any country. If you are an international organisation you must partner with a UK administrative lead and must be one of the following types of organisation: business, research technology organisation (RTO), academic organisation, charity or public sector organisation. International organisations must partner with a UK registered administrative lead. If you are a UK SME, you can apply on your own. Your project must involve a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME), from anywhere in the world, either as a technical lead or consortium member.

3) Location

Actions can take place in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, South East Asia.

4) Budget

Your early stage project’s total eligible costs must be between £50,000 and £300,000 as part of a feasibility study. DFID is providing up to £5 million of funding in this competition. Although DFID is willing to consider funding any technology which meets the above criteria, up to £3 million will be prioritised for projects specifically for energy storage.

5) Application

Applicants are done online. The closing date for sending in the application is 16 September 2020.