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 2025 Request for Proposals (RFP) is now open!
This year, Bits & Watts grants are part of a general RFP from the Precourt Institute for Energy.
Learn about 2024 grants
The 2024 Bits & Watts seed grants focused on projects related to the difficulties of meeting the demands of AI while continuing the transition to a cleaner energy future.
Secondary-Life EV Batteries: Predicting State of Health of Retired EV Batteries using Physics-Informed Machine Learning methods
High-Voltage Vertical Gallium Oxide Semiconductor Switch for Grid-connected Solid- State Transformers (SSTs)
Removing Legal Barriers to Transmission in California and beyond for a Clean Electricity Grid
No-Calibration Building Models: Unlocking targeted electrification and demand management through hybrid data and physics models for multi-zone buildings
Securing our energy future underground: Geospatial optimization of subsurface technologies to support a clean and reliable energy grid
Piezoelectric Power Factor Correction
Financial network congestion revenue rights (CRRs) for locational pricing markets
Assessing the potential for a transition to electrified medium and heavy-duty vehicles in the U.S.
Secondary-Life EV Batteries: Predicting State of Health of Retired EV Batteries using Physics-Informed Machine Learning methods
Networked Battery Systems Lab: a systems research lab at the intersection of battery systems, IOT and grid
Embedded Heat Pipe Thermal Management Solution for Fast Charging EVs Addressing Cable, Battery and Charging Stations
Establishing diamond-based device platform for high power electronics
Grid energy storage: Optimizing Energy and Cost in Renewable Grid System: an electrochemical modeling approach
Ultrafast circuit breakers with wide bandgap technology
Co-creation of digital business models in the electricity sector
Open Innovation and the Search for Digital Solutions: Strategic Differentiation
Planning Reliable Grid with Variable Generation and Storage
Western Interconnection Data Analytics Project (WIDAP)
