The Carbontech Development Initiative (CDI) is excited to announce its second solicitation round opens Monday, September 18th, 2023. Following the success of its inaugural funding round, which saw CDI award $2.75 million in non-dilutive grant funding to a diverse range of teams focused on crucial carbontech research innovations and commercialization, CDI is excited to begin accepting new applications.
CDI is inviting proposals for three Research Programs (Propel, Leap, and New Directions) that support the advancement of technologies from the benchtop to commercialization, and one Carbontech Commercialization Program (Bridge) seeking applications from startups in the mid- to late-stage of commercialization, offering funding and/or training interventions. In total, grants of up to $2.75 million will be awarded during this round to research teams advancing high impact carbontech breakthroughs in CDI’s three technology focus areas:
- CO2 capture technology innovation (e.g., direct air capture, direct ocean capture, CO2 capture from waste-to-energy, innovative sorbent regeneration)
- CO2-to-building materials innovation (e.g., carbon mineralization of waste, CO2 curing of concrete, magnesium-based construction materials)
- CO2-to-chemicals, fuels, and materials (e.g., electrochemical CO2 conversion, materials that host both CO2 capture and conversion via tandem reactions)
Interested researchers and startups can apply here.
Through this solicitation round, CDI aims to identify and support projects that demonstrate exceptional potential for driving the development and deployment of carbontech solutions. “We are excited to open our second solicitation round and continue our mission of accelerating the progress of carbontech research and commercialization,” said Erik Funkhouser, CDI’s managing director. “With this funding opportunity, we aim to foster breakthrough innovations that have a significant impact on addressing the pressing challenges of climate change.”
CDI encourages researchers and entrepreneurs alike to seize this opportunity to contribute to the advancement of the carbontech industry. Non-dilutive funding grants allow startups to retain full ownership of their company. The grants offered in this solicitation round will not only provide financial assistance but also open doors to valuable resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities.
Applications for CDI’s second solicitation round will open September 18th 2023.
About CDI
CDI is a first-of-its-kind, large-scale carbontech market transformation and grant-seeding commercialization hub. Based at the Center on Global Energy Policy at the Columbia University, CDI aims to turn New York State into a vibrant hub for the carbontech sector, spurring carbontech innovation and commercialization activities of research teams and startups. Committed to advancing the global carbontech industry and shaping an effective entrepreneurial ecosystem, CDI supports research teams and startups focused on accelerating carbon capture and conversion as well as development of other emerging carbontech asset classes to power robust, scalable, and credible climate solutions. CDI brings together leading academic, philanthropic, business and government to unlock informed and active carbontech investments as well as foster industrial strategy and policy initiatives to address global climate issues. Beyond providing substantial financial and in-kind resources, CDI is a platform for hosting and developing critical human capital in New York State, to benefit the State’s just transition goals and the global carbontech market. Capitalizing on the rich technical expertise at Columbia and entrepreneurial dynamism of New York State, CDI will help relevant stakeholders and the public understand the potential and positive impacts of carbontech as a new frontier to tackle the climate crisis and spur economic development across the globe. CDI is supported by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.
Key dates
Applications will be due October 27th, 2023. CDI will host five optional virtual information sessions to provide additional information. Key dates are listed below:
- Monday September 18, 2023: Applications opens – apply here
- Thursday, September 21, 2023: Virtual info session #1 (Register here)
- Monday, September 25, 2023: Virtual info session #2 (Register here)
- Wednesday, September 27, 2023: Virtual info session #3 (Register here)
- Tuesday, October 3, 2023: Virtual info session #4 (Register here)
- Friday, October 13, 2023: Virtual info session #5 (Register here)
- October 27th, 2023(11:59 p.m.): Applications close
- January 2024: Selected applicants notified
- March 2024: CDI awards announced
To learn more on CDI’s programs, please visit the CDI website or email [email protected]
