The Department of Energy is running a program to encourage the development
of energy efficient products and processes.  They will award matching grants
up to $400,000.  Here's the introductory brochure for the program.  Invent
your way to fame and fortune.

Greg Aharonian
Internet Patent News Service
(for subscription info, send 'help' to   patents@world.std.com )
(for prior art search services info, send 'prior' to patents@world.std.com )
(for WWW patent searching, try  http://sunsite.unc.edu/patents/intropat.html )



                              ====================



                       NATIONAL INDUSTRIAL COMPETITIVENESS
                                    through
                          ENERGY ENVIRONMENT ECONOMICS


    The Department of Energy (DOE) and the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) have combined to sponsor an innovative, cost-sharing program to promote
energy efficiency, clean production and economic competitiveness in industry.
The grant program, known as NICE3, provides funding to state/industry
partnerships for projects that develop and demonstrate advances in energy
efficiency and clean production technologies.  Since 1991, NICE3 has sponsored
26 projects, totaling $7.8 million of DOE funding.

    Industry applicants must submit project proposals through a state energy,
pollution prevention, or business development office.  Funds are awarded to
state/industry partnerships that can match the DOE/EPA federal funds at least
dollar for dollar.  Awardees receive a one-time grant of up to $400,000 for
the proposed project.  After the initial funding, the awardee is expected to
commercialize the process or technology.

NICE3 FEATURES

    Grants support technology development that can significantly
       - conserve energy and energy-intensive feedstocks
       - reduce industrial wastes
       - prevent pollution
       - improve industrial cost competitiveness

    Grants fund up to %50 of total project cost for a period of up to 3 years

    Industry/state partnerships demonstrate innovative technologies

EVALUATION CRITERIA

    NICE3 project proposals are evaluated on the following criteria:
        - Concept description
        - Innovation
        - Cost efficiency
        - Applicant capabilities
        - Energy savings
        - Waste reduction
        - Competitiveness
        - Commercialization/marketing plan
        - Impact on jobs

ELIGIBILITY

    Industrial firms in conjunction with state agencies throughout the US are
eligible to apply for the NICE3 grant program.  Proposals are accepted for a
variety of industrial applications in all SIC codes.  The following categories
are INELIGIBLE for funding:
        - Noise
        - Nuclear radiation/waste
        - Electromagnetic radiation (EMF)
        - Waste treatment/disposal
        - Hazardous waste site remediation
        - Cross-media containment shifts
        - Municipal solid waste

TIMELINE FOR 1995 PROJECTS

    Solicitation opens:   November 1, 1994
    Solicitation ends :   January 31, 1994
    Evaluations by DOE:   March 10, 1995
    Awards announced  :   April 20, 1995 - Earth Day

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

    DOE: 202-586-1641 or 202-586-8296
         303-275-4728 or 303-275-4755  (DOE Golden Field Office)

or write to:

    Vijay Chiruvella
    NICE3 Program
    MELE Associates
    7428 Westmore Road
    Rockville, MD 20850