Earlier this year, we announced the launch of Chain Reaction Innovations (CRI), the newest addition to the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Lab-Embedded Entrepreneurship Programs (LEEP), which are sponsored by the Advanced Manufacturing Office (AMO) and managed in collaboration with the Technology-to-Market office. Argonne National Laboratory, the host site for CRI, began accepting applications this week for the inaugural national cohort of science and energy innovators.

Even the best and brightest entrepreneurs can risk their innovative ideas being lost in the “valley of death” between lab-scale research and commercialization. CRI seeks to bridge that gap by helping innovators secure the financial, technical, and business model support and mentorship required to bring their ideas to market. Innovators will have access to Argonne’s network of 1,600 multidisciplinary researchers and engineers along with state-of-the-art research and development tools and facilities including the Mira supercomputer and the nation’s highest-energy X-ray source, the Advanced Photon Source. In addition to these tools, CRI cohorts will be working in the midst of a rich ecosystem of commercial partners, top tier universities, and investors in the Midwest, which gives them the opportunity to conduct market research and find long-term financing and commercial partners.

CRI provides financial security and technical support for up to two years for selected entrepreneurs. This includes up to $350,000 to use on research at Argonne National Laboratory and up to $100,000 in a fellowship covering living costs, benefits, and a travel stipend. This financing combined with powerful technical resources and business strategy support give CRI entrepreneurs an unparalleled innovation accelerator.

“There is huge opportunity and need to seed the emerging American energy ecosystem,” said Mark Johnson, director of AMO. “Today’s best and brightest innovators have a chance to make transformative impacts in energy productivity and manufacturing processes and to create millions of jobs. Incubators such as Chain Reaction Innovations will give this generation of innovators the tools to leave their legacy.”

Prospective applicants can find more information here. Applications are due by Friday, August 12, 2016 at 5 p.m. CST.