Compete

Step 1: Prepare Your Ideas

Ideas should align with open opportunities in American-Made, which take many forms and usually have a technology development or implementation focus (or a blend of both), designed to accelerate science and technology solutions. Participants may tackle technological or business aspects of developing energy technologies, as well as the economic, environmental, and social impacts to communities across the U.S.

Step 2: Select the Right Challenge

Start by understanding the types of rewards and recognition associated with American-Made prizes and competitions and vouchers.

Some considerations:

• There’s no limit to the number of American-Made prizes, competitions, or vouchers for which a participant can compete. The program features prizes in all shapes, sizes, and technical complexities.
• Cash prizes are awarded for excellent work completed within a phase of competition—with no strings attached—so participants can determine how to best use these funds to continue to build momentum.

Step 3: Explore and Join a Challenge

Depending on the challenge(s) selected, participants will build a team and tap into the American-Made Network to get advice and support while preparing the specific items a challenge may require: a target, a plan, a budget, or a prototype.

Step 4: Compete to Win

Reviewers with expertise relevant to the challenge will review competitor submissions and determine finalists. The final winners are selected by the U.S. Department of Energy.