The Bits & Watts Initiative Seed Grants
One of the key activities of Bits & Watts is to provide seed funding for projects that have the potential to secure additional research funding from external sources upon successful outcomes. Recognizing the inherent risks associated with such projects, the evaluation process aims to strike a balance between risk and the potential impact of a successful venture. This research funding is designed to encourage faculty members to venture into interdisciplinary energy research that deviates from their existing research groups. In addition to research proposals for seed grant awards, Bits & Watts also welcomes proposals for the development of new courses that align with the mission of the initiative. These new course development grants are for the Stanford lecturers as well as Stanford faculty teaching on topics related to the grid of the future.
Research Seed Grants
Bits & Watts offers up to $100,000 per project for a duration of one year. This funding opportunity is available to Stanford faculty across all departments and schools. Proposals should focus on innovative strategies to address the growing energy demands of AI and data centers, including but not limited to the following areas:
● Flexibility
● Reliability & Interconnection
● Affordability
● Emission Reduction and Monitoring
For more information and to apply, see the full RFP here.
- electric grid of the future
- test new ideas/concepts, interdisciplinary research
- equip investigators to obtain funding for follow-on research from other sources
- education to advance the mission of Bits&Watts
Research seed grants: Stanford faculty
Participate in the Precourt and Bits & Watts symposia and workshops. Submit annual reports on your work that summarize research findings, publications, etc.
The source of funding is unrestricted industrial Affiliate funds; therefore, no project may charge indirect costs, even if non-Stanford investigators would complete some part of the project. The budget should include direct costs plus the university infrastructure burden of 8%. Awarded projects will be funded through a newly created and designated PTA(s) less the 8% infrastructure charge; the infrastructure charge for the award will be paid directly by Bits & Watts / the Precourt Institute. Budgets should identify the level of effort committed to the project. Principal Investigator (PI) effort is not required for University Research awards. Follow-up funding in subsequent years is not anticipated.
