Seed Grants
Each year, Bits & Watts invites proposals for seed funding of projects that, if successful, could equip investigators to obtain additional funding for follow-on research from other sources. Such projects inevitably involve risk; the evaluation of the proposals attempts to balance the risk and potential impacts of a successful project. This research funding is intended to encourage faculty to move into interdisciplinary energy research that is a departure from ongoing work in their research groups. Seed grant projects are typically funded up to $100K per year for two years.
The initiative's 2024 Request for Proposals (RFP) focused on the topic of sustainably powering artificial intelligence (AI). Proposals focused on innovative strategies to address the growing energy demands of AI and data centers, including but not limited to the following areas:
- Flexibility
- Reliability & Interconnection
- Affordability
- Emission Reduction and Monitoring
High-Voltage Vertical Gallium Oxide Semiconductor Switch for Grid-connected Solid- State Transformers (SSTs)

Securing our energy future underground: Geospatial optimization of subsurface technologies to support a clean and reliable energy grid

Assessing the potential for a transition to electrified medium and heavy-duty vehicles in the U.S.

Embedded Heat Pipe Thermal Management Solution for Fast Charging EVs Addressing Cable, Battery and Charging Stations

Ultrafast circuit breakers with wide bandgap technology

Planning Reliable Grid with Variable Generation and Storage
