previous call for proposals
The University of Michigan - Fraunhofer
Alternative Energy Technologies for Transportation Program (AETT Program)
Deadline: June 10, 2009
Program:
Special Funding from the University of Michigan, from Fraunhofer Germany and from Fraunhofer USA will be used to support collaborative research projects that involve co-investigators from Fraunhofer and from the University. The Seed Phase, installed for two years, will identify topics for a joint research agenda in the field of alternative energy technologies for transportation with the goal to provide a basis for joint proposals for external support. Therefore, the Seed Projects must have a strong potential for significant follow-on external funding as well as for technology transfer and commercialization.
Proposals are solicited, addressing both areas of alternative energy technologies for transportation and associated best manufacturing practice minimizing production costs. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to, advanced batteries with enhanced energy to weight ratio for hybrid electric vehicles, catalytic processes for providing and operating fuel cells as well as exhaust gas cleaning, dynamic three-dimensional diagnostics of combustion processes enabling more fuel efficient internal combustion engines, advanced durable solar cells with high efficiency and conformability as well as new technologies for harvesting energy in mobile platforms.
If the program is successful, the Parties envision the partnership will lead to the establishment of a Fraunhofer Center of Excellence in Alternative Energy Technologies for Transportation at the University of Michigan and commercialization of several alternative energy technologies.
Budgets:
Fraunhofer and University of Michigan intend to award a number of grants, with a maximum annual funding of up to $ 200,000 per project, divided between the University of Michigan and Fraunhofer participants. Projects are contingent upon approval of the total funding budget by Fraunhofer and University of Michigan. Awards may be made for one year or two years with a quality gate review at half of the project duration for projects lasting longer than one year.
Preconditions:
Proposals must include researchers from the University and from Fraunhofer Germany and/or Fraunhofer USA. The proposers should clearly indicate how the successful conduct of the seed project will enhance the prospect for securing third party funding or initiating commercialization prior to completion of the project. Moreover, proposers who can identify specific external research programs through identification of current or pending Research Funding Program’s will be favored.
Cost sharing derived from sources outside University of Michigan and Fraunhofer demonstrates the interest of third parties in the field and is recommended, but not required. The source, amount and nature of such cost sharing shall be identified in writing at the onset in the Proposal of each collaborative project.
Projects can not exceed 24 months. Milestones and/or deliverables after half of the project duration are required for projects lasting longer than one year (quality gate review).
Each project party should have nearly the same proposed costs. If a subcontractor is to be included in a project, a proposal from the cooperating institution must be obtained. As part of the proposal, subcontractors need to be named and a subcontract amount has to be included as a line item in the project budget.
Proposal Guidelines:
Proposals may not exceed eight pages (not counting cover sheet).
Cover Sheet:
- Title of project
- Name and contact information of principal investigators at University of Michigan and Fraunhofer
- Project duration
- Requested funding and cost share (if applicable) for each participant and for total project broken out by project year.
Sections to be included:
- Executive summary
- Objectives
- State-of-the-art and challenges
- Technical approach
- Description of major tasks and respective task leader
- Gantt chart including timeline for major tasks and milestones
- Opportunity for follow-on funding, potential for commercialization and long term plans (beyond the scope of the seed project)
- Summary of expertise and experience of the key personnel on the project
- Cost per task to include labor, supplies materials and any other costs. Cost must be broken out in direct cost, indirect costs and total cost for each task and for each project year and for both University of Michigan and Fraunhofer participants.
- Identification of project-relevant Background Intellectual Property, if applicable.
Submission:
Proposals are due June 10, 2009 at 5:00pm EST and shall be submitted by secure email, including a request for notice of receipt to both:
University of Michigan, Michigan Memorial Phoenix Energy Institute Director
Anke Hellwig, email: anke.hellwig@zv.fraunhofer.de, ph: +49 89 1205-4710
Evaluation of Project Proposals:
Proposals will be peer reviewed by a panel comprising four representatives each from University of Michigan and Fraunhofer. Awards are anticipated one month after the submission deadline.
The panel shall rank the proposals according to the following evaluation criteria:
- Relevance to the objective of the cooperation
- Synergy between University of Michigan and Fraunhofer
- Originality and innovation potential of research plan
- Scientific visibility
- Potential economic impact for the State of Michigan and other stakeholders of the University of Michigan, Fraunhofer USA, and Fraunhofer Germany
- Potential for contract research
- Cost-effectiveness.
Subject to the availability of funds, those project proposals with the highest ranking will be selected for implementation. They will be presented to the President of Fraunhofer Germany and the Vice President for Research at University of Michigan for final, unanimous approval.