The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced a solid-state lighting (SSL) funding opportunity on November 29, 2012. Up to $11 million in funding is directed toward the existing DOE SSL R&D program area of Manufacturing Research and Development, to establish the U.S. as a global manufacturing leader.
 
Under this funding opportunity (DE-FOA-0000792), DOE seeks applications for SSL manufacturing R&D projects that will achieve significant cost reductions through improvements in manufacturing equipment, processes, or monitoring techniques. Projects should address the technical challenges that must be overcome before prices fall to a level where SSL will become competitive with existing lighting on a first-cost basis. By advancing these activities, DOE can accelerate progress toward creating a U.S.-led market for high-efficiency light sources that save more energy, reduce costs, and have less environmental impact than conventional light sources.
 
Potential applicants should note that applications are due by February 21, 2013.

For more information on the new funding opportunity, visit https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/.