Technology Commercialization Fund
| Type | Program |
|---|---|
| Sponsor Organization | Office of Technology Transitions |
| Top Organization | Department of Energy |
| Creation Legislation | Energy Policy Act of 2005 |
| Website | Website |
| Purpose | To accelerate the commercialization of technologies developed at DOE National Laboratories by providing matching funds for projects that have commercial potential, aiming to increase the impact of DOE's R&D investments and stimulate economic growth.[1] |
| Program Start | 2016 |
| Initial Funding | |
| Duration | Indefinite |
| Historic | Yes |
Technology Commercialization Fund (TCF) is designed to bridge the gap between DOE-funded research and market-ready technologies by providing matching funds for projects at DOE National Laboratories that show commercial promise. TCF aims to enhance the economic impact of federal R&D investments, promote technology transfer, and stimulate job creation and economic growth through innovation.[2]
Goals
- Increase the number of technologies developed at DOE labs that reach the market.[3]
- Foster partnerships between DOE labs and private industry for commercialization.
- Enhance the competitiveness of U.S. industries through advanced energy technologies.
Organization
TCF is managed by the Office of Technology Transitions (OTT) within the U.S. Department of Energy. It operates through competitive solicitations where DOE labs propose projects in partnership with private sector entities. Funding comes from DOE's applied energy R&D budget, specifically, 0.9% of this budget is allocated to TCF each year.
The leader of the program holds the title/position of **Chief Commercialization Officer** at OTT.
Partners
No specific partnerships are listed, but TCF involves collaborations between DOE labs and various private sector companies.
History
Established under the **Energy Policy Act of 2005**, TCF was formally launched in 2016 to foster technology transfer from DOE labs to the marketplace. Over time, it has supported numerous projects, expanding its scope and influence with each funding cycle. Key historical events include the introduction of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, which provided additional funding and focus areas like clean energy technologies.
Funding
TCF is funded annually at 0.9% of DOE's applied energy R&D budget, which can vary but supports a broad range of commercialization activities. These funds are used for matching contributions with industry partners, ensuring a shared risk and investment model.
Implementation
Implementation involves:
- Annual solicitations for proposals from DOE National Laboratories in collaboration with industry.
- Review and selection of projects based on commercial viability, technical merit, and partnership strength.
- Monitoring of funded projects to ensure progress towards commercialization.
TCF is designed to be an ongoing program, adapting to the evolving landscape of energy technology and market needs.
Related
External links
References
- ↑ "Technology Commercialization Fund". https://www.energy.gov/technologytransitions/technology-commercialization-fund. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
- ↑ "Technology Commercialization Fund". https://www.energy.gov/technologytransitions/technology-commercialization-fund. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
- ↑ "Technology Commercialization Fund". https://www.energy.gov/technologytransitions/technology-commercialization-fund. Retrieved January 30, 2025.