Building Envelope Innovation Prize
The American-Made Building Envelope Innovation Prize - Secondary Glazing Systems will award up to $2.1 million to encourage production of high-performance, cost-effective secondary glazing systems to improve efficiency of commercial windows.
Structured for Success
The Building Envelope Innovation Prize—Secondary Glazing Systems aims to advance novel solutions for upgrading inefficient windows in commercial buildings. The prize offers up to $2.1 million across three phases to incentivize the development and production of new secondary glazing system (SGS) designs. The prize will help establish, support, and expand innovation in window systems and catalyze teams to rapidly develop and deploy cost-effective solutions in the SGS market. Through the combination of improved performance and lower costs, these solutions will enable SGS investments for commercial buildings to become a key first market solution in the path for affordable efficiency improvements.
- Phase 1: Design Concept – Competitors will submit a design concept of their SGS innovation and share early data on performance metrics.
- Phase 2: Prototype – Semifinalists selected from Phase 1 will be eligible to submit a high-performance prototype product for testing at DOE national laboratories and secure a pilot project.
- Phase 3: Commercialization – Finalists selected from Phase 2 will work with their pilot demonstration partner and submit a technical and pilot project narrative outlining their plans for successful integration of their SGS design in the commercial window industry.
The prize advances novel solutions for upgrading inefficient windows in commercial buildings to enable affordable retrofits and optimize building envelopes for energy efficiency improvements. Read the official rules to learn more about requirements and eligibility.
Prize Partners
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is committed to pushing the frontiers of science and technology, and catalyzing energy innovation and domestic jobs through research, development, demonstration, and deployment. DOE’s Building Technologies Office (BTO) funds the Building Envelope Innovation Prize – Secondary Glazing Systems to spur innovations in the U.S. window industry.
Prize Timeline
View the official prize timeline for the most current dates and deadlines. All dates are subject to change, including challenge openings, deadlines, and announcements.
View TimelineConnecting You to the American-Made Network
The American-Made Network provides support to Building Envelope Innovation Prize competitors throughout the competition and is composed of national labs, incubators, investors, facilities, and seasoned industry mentors. The American-Made Network strengthens and scales the critical connections needed to grow new businesses, develop solutions, and sustain American innovation.
Connect to the NetworkWho Can Compete?
Are you a thinker, entrepreneur, or innovator? You belong here. Anyone with a groundbreaking idea can help transform the window and glass industries through the American-Made Building Envelope Innovation Prize.
Competitors are window and glass manufacturers legally residing or based in the United States.
For full eligibility requirements, please read the official rules.
Compete in the Prize