EnergyTech University Prize 2025
Sponsored by the Office of Technology Transitions (OTT) at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the American-Made EnergyTech University Prize (EnergyTech UP) comprises two tracks, a Student Track and a Faculty Track, both with a common goal—accelerate the clean tech industry. With prize opportunities provided from an array of DOE offices, the competition aims to cultivate the next generation of energy innovators, educators, and entrepreneurs.
About the Prize
The EnergyTech University Prize 2025 seeks to attract the talented students of today and help them develop into the engineers, policymakers, entrepreneurs, market analysts, and project developers of tomorrow. Multidisciplinary student teams develop and present a business plan that leverages National Laboratory-developed or other high-potential energy technologies, including university-developed technologies or other technologies of interest to student competitors.
EnergyTech UP also seeks innovative collegiate faculty with a passion for renewable energy. The Faculty Track is designed for educators who may benefit from mentorship and resources to create an implementation plan for their blossoming ideas for integrating or expanding energy technology commercialization or entrepreneurship activities at their home institution.
This prize is sponsored by DOE’s OTT, as well as several other program offices. EnergyTech UP, in partnership with American-Made Challenges, is designed to be approachable, equitable, and scalable nationwide. Winners are chosen based on the strength of their business proposal and implementation plans. Participating students are provided with a curated list of National Lab technologies that are ready for commercialization and that can be used for their business plan.
Prize Structure for Student Competitors
Student teams compete for more than $400,000 in cash prizes as they explore business opportunities for lab-developed or other high-potential energy technologies, assess commercialization opportunities through market analysis and present a viable business plan to industry judges. Throughout the competition, they receive mentorship and materials to help them succeed.
Understanding that energy is often inherently local, competitor teams first present at their designated regional events in March, where regional winners are identified. Teams that are invited to participate in the regional events receive free access to OTT's Energy I-Corps curriculum. First-place regional winners are provided exclusive mentorship to help students refine their ideas throughout March and April. Finally, the regional winners pitch their complete business plan at a live industry event in April.
Faculty Track
EnergyTech UP also offers a track for collegiate faculty members. The Faculty Track is designed for educators who may benefit from mentorship and resources to create an implementation plan for their blossoming ideas for integrating or expanding energy technology commercialization or entrepreneurship activities at their home institution.
Faculty (or faculty teams) will compete for more than $100,000 prize pool through three phases of competition. They will develop a proposal to expand energy technology commercialization or entrepreneurship activities at their home institution; receive access to a DOE mentor and DOE resources; and work toward showing how their plans could be integrated into student activities.
2025 Important Dates
Please see the official timeline in HeroX for the most current schedule of events. All dates are subject to change, including contest openings, deadlines, and announcements.
Sign up for updates on our HeroX challenge page.
Solutions that Help Shape the Future
Are you a collegiate student interested in transitioning energy technologies to market or a faculty member who has an idea to help students learn about energy technology commercialization and entrepreneurship? The EnergyTech University Prize is for you!
Follow the Challenge