View source for Energy Program for Innovation Clusters

{{Program
|ProgramName=Energy Program for Innovation Clusters
|ProgramType=Program
|OrgSponsor=Office of Technology Transitions
|TopOrganization=Department of Energy
|CreationLegislation=None
|Purpose=Energy Program for Innovation Clusters funds incubators to boost clean energy startups, aiming to enhance U.S. competitiveness by speeding up tech commercialization through regional ecosystems.
|Website=https://www.energy.gov/eere/technologytransitions/energy-program-innovation-clusters
|ProgramStart=2020
|InitialFunding=$5 million
|Duration=Ongoing
|Historic=No
}}
The '''Energy Program for Innovation Clusters''' (EPIC) is a Department of Energy initiative launched in 2020 by the Office of Technology Transitions (OTT) to strengthen regional energy innovation ecosystems across the United States, awarding over $13 million across three rounds by 2025. EPIC has supported 48 incubators and accelerators, providing cash prizes and cooperative agreements—like the $4 million Round 3 in 2024—to teams driving energy technology clusters, with notable outcomes including the Midwest Regional Innovation Partnership’s support for over 360 startups since 2021.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.energy.gov/eere/technologytransitions/energy-program-innovation-clusters |title=EPIC Overview |publisher=Department of Energy}}</ref> With Round 3’s Phase 2 winners announced in December 2024, EPIC continues to evolve, planning future opportunities in 2025 to bolster clean energy entrepreneurship.

{{Official URL (simple)|url=https://www.energy.gov/eere/technologytransitions/energy-program-innovation-clusters}}

==Goals==

* Stimulate regional energy innovation by funding incubators with impactful cluster-building plans.
* Accelerate commercialization of clean energy technologies through mentorship and resources.
* Enhance national economic and energy security via strong regional startup ecosystems.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.energy.gov/eere/technologytransitions/articles/incubators-and-accelerators-awarded-over-45-million-doe-support |title=EPIC Round 3 Winners |publisher=Department of Energy}}</ref>

==Organization==

The Energy Program for Innovation Clusters is managed by OTT within DOE, with a Program Manager overseeing its two-part structure: a prize competition and funding opportunity announcements (FOAs). Operations involve collaboration with DOE labs like NREL and ORNL, with funding from OTT’s budget—initially $5 million in FY 2020—supporting awards and events like the 2024 EPIC Pitch Competition.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.energy.gov/eere/technologytransitions/articles/energy-program-innovation-clusters-epic-report-congress-june-2022 |title=EPIC Report to Congress |publisher=Department of Energy}}</ref> 

==Partners==

* [[National Renewable Energy Laboratory]]
* [[Oak Ridge National Laboratory]]
* [[Argonne National Laboratory]]
* [[Clean Energy Trust]]

==History==

EPIC was established in 2020 with $5 million appropriated by Congress, responding to the need for regional innovation clusters to drive energy tech commercialization.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.energy.gov/eere/technologytransitions/articles/energy-program-innovation-clusters-epic-report-congress-june-2022 |title=EPIC Report to Congress |publisher=Department of Energy}}</ref> Round 1 awarded $1 million in prizes to 20 incubators in 2020, followed by Round 2’s $2 million in 2023 and Round 3’s $4 million cooperative agreements by 2024, with Phase 2 winners announced December 2024. It continues to expand, with OTT planning further rounds in 2025 per recent updates.

==Funding==

Initial funding of $5 million in FY 2020 kicked off EPIC, with subsequent rounds adding $2 million (Round 2) and $4 million (Round 3) by 2024, totaling over $13 million.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.energy.gov/eere/technologytransitions/articles/incubators-and-accelerators-awarded-over-45-million-doe-support |title=EPIC Round 3 Winners |publisher=Department of Energy}}</ref> Ongoing support via OTT appropriations funds prizes, up to $1 million cooperative agreements, and pitch events, with no end date as it aligns with DOE’s tech transition goals.

==Implementation==

EPIC operates in phases: prize competitions (e.g., $50,000 awards to 20 incubators in Round 1) and FOAs (e.g., $1 million agreements in Round 3), executed via HeroX platforms and DOE partnerships.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.herox.com/EPIC3 |title=EPIC Round 3 |publisher=HeroX}}</ref> It supports incubators like Dominion Energy Innovation Center’s Hyperscaled through funding and pitch events—like the 2024 $70,000 DC Pitch Competition—adapting to regional needs with ongoing rounds planned for 2025.

==Related==

* [[Energy I-Corps]]
* [[Lab Partnering Service]]

==External links==

* https://www.energy.gov/eere/technologytransitions/energy-program-innovation-clusters
* https://www.herox.com/EPIC3
* [[wikipedia:Energy Program for Innovation Clusters]]

===Social media===

* https://twitter.com/DOEEERE
* https://www.linkedin.com/company/u-s-department-of-energy

==References==

[[Category:Programs and initiatives]]
[[Category:Programs]]
[[Category:Department of Energy]]
[[Category:Partnerships]]