CO-WY Engine RFP
Fostering R&D for solutions in advancing climate technologies and community resilience
Supporting innovative data, technology and practice solutions
CO-WY Engine’s Use-Inspired Research and Development Grant Program
The Use-Inspired R&D Grant Program has four main goals, which are aligned with those of the NSF Engines initiative and other CO-WY Engine programs:
1) Enhance the R&D pathway for climate resilience solutions;
2) Bridge the funding/resource gap for accelerated R&D;
3) Support growth of the R&D climate innovation ecosystem; and
4) Foster inclusivity.
Proposals should showcase an ability to scale outcomes and impacts through commercial opportunities or practices. This program values diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility and will follow a transparent and equitable process for selecting and supporting prospective projects
Use-inspired grants are based on collaboration, practicality, and impact and are meant to foster innovations that have not yet been licensed/optioned.
PI Lead Requirements
The PI must be a tenure-track or non-tenure-track faculty member; research scientist/scholar; center/institute director; dean; department head; or their equivalent.
Project Team Members
Project team members may come from any discipline, and teams that include non-university members are encouraged, including other private entities, universities, federal labs, and non-governmental organizations.
Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization and per PI
There is no limit on the number of proposals per organization. A PI can lead only one project but may play other roles on other research project teams.
Matched/Leveraged Funding Requirements
In general, project teams will be expected to provide 1:1 ($1 to $1, Engine to non-Engine), leveraged or matching resource support. Although these resources are not to be considered voluntary committed cost share, they are expected to be provided and expended. Teams that work directly with tribal or other underserved communities may document less than 1:1 leveraged or matching resource support; projects involving established corporate partners will be expected to provide more than 1:1.
Examples of leveraged or matching resource support include:
Cash or In-Kind Contributions: New or existing contributions specifically allocated to the project. Cash contributions include hard dollars and salaries/fringe paid to employees. In-kind contributions are non-cash resources that may include but are not limited to volunteered personnel time, donated equipment, office or laboratory space, data sets including industrial testbeds, goods and services.
Collaborations and Partnerships: Partnerships with local government, nonprofits,5industry, etc. that allow for shared resources, expertise, and joint efforts to achieve common goals.
Leveraging Existing Programs: Integration with existing initiatives. For example, a workforce development program might align with state-level job training programs to maximize impact.
Leveraging Data and Research: Existing research, data, or studies that inform the project and helps avoid duplication of efforts and ensures evidence-based decision-making.
Leveraging Innovative Technology: Utilizing existing technology to enhance program efficiency, e.g., edge computing to reduce latency and bandwidth, cloud-based platforms for data management or mobile apps for outreach to optimize resources.
Internal Organizational Capacity Building: Training staff, improving infrastructure, and enhancing organizational processes to contribute to long-term sustainability.
Public-Private Partnerships: Collaboration with private companies leading to shared resources, funding, and expertise.
Leveraging Existing Community Assets: Utilizing community assets (such as libraries, community centers, or schools) to enhance program reach and effectiveness.
Non-Federal Award Stacking: Organizations can leverage award funding from other non-federal, public, and private
Examples of leveraged or matching resource support include:
Cash or In-Kind Contributions: New or existing contributions specifically allocated to the project. Cash contributions include hard dollars and salaries/fringe paid to employees. In-kind contributions are non-cash resources that may include but are not limited to volunteered personnel time, donated equipment, office or laboratory space, data sets including industrial testbeds, goods and services.
Collaborations and Partnerships: Partnerships with local government, nonprofits,5industry, etc. that allow for shared resources, expertise, and joint efforts to achieve common goals.
Leveraging Existing Programs: Integration with existing initiatives. For example, a workforce development program might align with state-level job training programs to maximize impact.
Leveraging Data and Research: Existing research, data, or studies that inform the project and helps avoid duplication of efforts and ensures evidence-based decision-making.
Leveraging Innovative Technology: Utilizing existing technology to enhance program efficiency, e.g., edge computing to reduce latency and bandwidth, cloud-based platforms for data management or mobile apps for outreach to optimize resources.
Internal Organizational Capacity Building: Training staff, improving infrastructure, and enhancing organizational processes to contribute to long-term sustainability.
Public-Private Partnerships: Collaboration with private companies leading to shared resources, funding, and expertise.
Leveraging Existing Community Assets: Utilizing community assets (such as libraries, community centers, or schools) to enhance program reach and effectiveness.
Non-Federal Award Stacking: Organizations can leverage award funding from other non-federal, public, and private
Apply today via InfoReady
- Click here or on the orange Application button at the top right. You’ll be redirected to the InfoReady application interface.
- Log in or create an InfoReady account.
- Click the InfoReady Apply button at the top right.
- Complete the application.
- You can save your application as a draft before submitting. Find drafts in the Applications tab.
- Be sure to Submit your application. Drafts will not be reviewed.
Use-Inspired Grant application period
OPEN: July 22, 2024
DEADLINE: September 3, 2024
Due by 5pm Mountain time
Eligibility information
The application must be led and submitted by one of the following Colorado and Wyoming institutions of higher education.
Collaborations, either funded or unfunded, with other non-lead cross-sector partners in our region are allowed and highly encouraged.
All partners receiving subawards must meet all eligibility requirements of NSF and must be able to receive federal funding.
• Colorado School of Mines
• Colorado State University
• Metro State University
• University of Colorado Boulder
• University of Colorado Denver
• University of Northern Colorado
• University of Wyoming
Award information
The Use-Inspired Program will fund maximum of $300,000 per project.
Anticipated number of awards: 4 per award year.
Grant cycles
Anticipated two grant cycles in 2024 award year.
Formal extensions can be requested for up to six additional months with significant progress and adequate justification.
To obtain follow-on funding from the program, awardees must show significant progress from the use of previous funds and this progress will be considered as part of the evaluation process.
Notification of awards
4 to 6 weeks after submission deadline
Use of funds for Use-Inspired R&D Program projects
Funds must be used to advance specific R&D project aims and milestones such as: proof of concept or pilot studies, intellectual property protection, prototypes and technical validation, market assessment, equipment that advances R&D project capabilities. Allowable and unallowable costs are described in the NSF PAPPG.
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