Eureka! Award Program
Innovation Marketing Grant

The Eureka! Award Program was created to provide grants to help small Texas businesses promote innovative market-ready energy-efficient and renewable energy products and technologies. Eureka! is an education and outreach component of the Texas State Energy Program (SEP), which is administered by the State Energy Conservation Office at the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. The Texas SEP is funded through the U.S. Department of Energy under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Innovation is the key to this grant program. Applicants must demonstrate how their good or service is innovating the energy industry and bringing groundbreaking advancement to their specific field.

Eureka! Awarded Projects

As of May 9, 2011, the Comptroller awarded $284,440 in competitive federal stimulus grants to the following entities. A review committee of energy industry professionals, innovation leaders and subject matter experts evaluated eligible Eureka! applications and selected award recipients based on review scores. The funds awarded under this RFA will go toward a variety of promotional materials and efforts to promote market-ready energy products and technologies.

Award Amount	Award Recipients
$50,000	1SolTech, Inc.
$49,440	Attic Breeze, LLC
$50,000	Circular Energy
$40,000	Ideal Power Converter, Inc.
$50,000	Mason Greenstar, Inc.
$45,000	Ringdale, Inc.

Grant Administration Materials:

As of November 5, 2010, the Eureka! Award Program is no longer accepting applications.

Key Dates	Date
Notice Posted on Texas Register	10/01/10
Grant Application Posted	10/01/10, Updated 10/11/10
Deadline for Submission of Applications (2:00 p.m. CST)	11/05/10
Grant Agreement Execution / Commencement of Project	As soon as practical

Eureka! FAQs

1. How will the Eureka! Award Program work?
   • The Eureka! Award Program will not sponsor research and development but instead will provide grants of up to $50,000 for small businesses to promote new energy-efficient and renewable energy products and technologies that are ready for market and commercially available.
2. Who can apply for the Eureka! Award Program?
   • An applicant must be a Texas small business that is legally formed for the purpose of making a profit, is independently owned and operated and has fewer than 100 employees or less that $6 million in annual gross receipts. An applicant must also be registered to conduct business in Texas, with a valid Texas tax identification number, and in good standing with the state.
3. What products or technologies are eligible?
   • A product or technology must be innovative and have an energy-efficient or renewable energy component to be eligible.
4. My business uses or installs existing products or technologies. Would it be eligible for the Eureka! Grant?
   • The purpose of the Eureka! Award Program is to support innovation in the field of energy use. While installing current products and technologies does contribute to energy conservation, it may not be considered innovative by the review committee. However, if the product is used in a new or innovative way that contributes to additional energy conservation it may be deemed innovative. The final decision on eligibility is up to the review committee that will review completed applications.
5. My business handles the distribution for a manufacturer that has an eligible innovative product or technology. Can I apply for the Eureka! Grant?
   • If the distributor is solely responsible for marketing the product or technology, the manufacturer and distributor may complete a grant application jointly. In the answer to question 15, describe the relationship between the manufacturer and distributor to establish the authority of the distributor to market the product or technology.
6. What is the timing for the Eureka! Award Program?
   • The Eureka! Award Program began accepting applications on October 1, 2010. The deadline for applications was November 5, 2010 at 2:00 p m CST.
7. How can the Eureka! funds be used?
   • Eureka! award recipients can use funds for a variety of promotional materials and efforts, subject to approval by the Comptroller's office. Eligible promotional items include brochures, fliers, postcards, rack cards, press kits, signage, videos, web design, tradeshow booths and advertising.
8. Can my business use Eureka! Grant funds to pay wages?
   • No, costs for general business operations, administration or work not associated with the proposed marketing project are not eligible.
9. Is my business required to partner with a four-year institution of higher learning in order to apply for the Eureka! Grant Award?
   • No, applicants are not required to work with a university or college to be eligible for the award. However, the Comptroller's office encourages businesses to work with a college's commercialization office, marketing department and/or business department to gain additional insight and support in developing a marketing plan.
10. Can part of the grant be used to purchase product, such as a wind turbines?
    • No; if a grant award is approved under the terms of this program, the Eureka! Award is a marketing grant to be used solely for the marketing of the innovative product or technology and cannot be used to purchase equipment or renewable energy systems or components.
11. What is the Eureka! Program Application Process?
    • For a downloadable version of the flowchart, see the Eureka! Program Application Process (PDF 1.63MB).