Round 1 projects will be funded up to $300,000 for a nominal duration of one year. Where justified, longer periods of work (for the same funding level) may be considered.

Background and Focus

We intend to fund approximately 12 proposals for Round 1, with project start dates of September 1, 2025. 

Proposal Topic Areas

FLAGSHIP 1: Electrification

These are topics driving the “grid of the future” by connecting and controlling renewables with flexible AC transmission and novel DC architectures; electrifying industry with microgrids and power conversion equipment; and driving resiliency with next-generation grid hardware and advanced protection, automation, control, and cybersecurity.

• 211 Grid to Chip: Power Electronics for Datacenters 
• 212 Novel AI, GPU and Quantum-inspired Methodologies for Large Scale Power Grid Optimization 
• 213 Novel Materials for Electricity Storage and Transmission for Grid Applications 
• 214 Adaptive and Coordinated Grid Controls 

FLAGSHIP 2: Decarbonization

This research focuses on net-zero emissions by driving breakthroughs in carbon-free solutions, including hydrogen and ammonia; harnessing world-class solid-sorbents to pull CO₂ directly out of air; and demonstrating advanced nuclear power as economical and differentiated, including:

• 221 Materials and Systems for Carbon Capture and CO₂ Utilization 
• 222 Materials for Nuclear Fission and Fusion 
• 223 Disruptive Energy Storage and Conversion 
• 224 Decarbonization of Gas Turbines 

FLAGSHIP 3: Renewables Acceleration

This research seeks to explore and advance wind solutions with game-changing innovation in advanced manufacturing to ensure quality at scale, in autonomous controls to pursue the best running fleet, and in AI-enabled services to optimize operations and maintenance.

• 231 Advanced Manufacturing and Inspection Technologies for Wind Turbine Blade Manufacturing 
• 232 Low-Cost Sensors for Precise Wind Turbine Blade Health Monitoring 
• 233 Smart Materials for Enhanced Wind Turbine Blade Performance 
• 234 Energy System Modeling 

FLAGSHIP 4: Digital / GenAI, Machine Learning & Cyber for Energy Infrastructure

These research topics aim to transform complex engineering design workflows through AI-powered foundation models that can integrate multimodal data and respond to natural language queries. The shared goal is to reduce design cycle times and improve design quality by automating and accelerating tasks traditionally limited by computational cost and manual iteration. Key challenges include generating robust datasets from simulations and field data, developing efficient foundation models using techniques like transfer learning and surrogate modeling, and creating standardized benchmarks for evaluating model performance and design outcomes.

• 241 Cyber-Physical Security for Critical Infrastructure 
• 242 Large Language Models (LLMs) for Enhancing Industrial Asset Analytics 
• 243 Accelerating Complex Engineering Design Powered by AI 

Proposals that seek to address the flagship research areas and do not directly match a GE Vernova proposal listed above are also welcome.  

Key Project Terms:

Some research projects may be collaborative with GE Vernova researchers. Below is a summary of key terms relating to research projects.

• Third Party/Federal Funding: Research projects with subject matter overlap with any other PI grants or commitments must be disclosed.
• Intellectual Property: Research projects will follow one of two IP models (see graphic below):
  • “Open Research/Open Source Model” – All research outcomes are made openly available under open access or open source licenses; both parties agree not to seek patent protection.
  • “Standard Model” – GE Vernova receives an option to negotiate a non-exclusive or exclusive commercial license to MIT patentable IP or MIT’s interest in joint IP.
• Publication: MIT is free to publish the results and outcomes of research projects; however, GE Vernova has a limited right to review in advance of publication to remove any of its confidential information or data, or to file a patent application for any invention for which GE Vernova has an option right. Collaborative projects may publish jointly.
• Data Use and Material Transfer Terms: Any use of GE Vernova or third party data or materials will be subject to the applicable terms, which may include use restrictions and confidentiality obligations.
• Visiting Scientists: Research projects may include a GE Vernova visiting scientist upon approval by the PI and in accordance with current MIT policy.

Selection Criteria & Process

Research proposals that seek to address the research topics described in the above section will be prioritized for consideration.

Proposals must not exceed three (3) pages, inclusive of figures, in 12-point font, single spaced, single-sided with 1-inch margins. Include page count in the righthand footer and “MIT Confidential RPP Submission” in the lefthand footer.

a) Project title and concept summary

b) Innovation versus state of the art and potential impact

c) Proposed work plan (milestones, expected research outcomes, risks, phases, go/no-go decisions)
d) Whether any federal or other funds are intended to support the proposed research project
e) Whether any member of the MIT research team has an obligation to assign intellectual property rights to any other institution
f) Whether any software or patentable invention resulting from the research project should be subject to an open source/open research release model
g) References cited*

h) Biography of Principal Investigators and key capabilities*
i) Simple budget with brief justification*

*Items (g-i) do not count towards the three-page limit.

Projects will start September 1, 2025. The budget proposal should not exceed $300,000, inclusive of all direct and indirect costs.

Questions may be directed to Tia Giurleo, Senior Strategic Engagements Officer, Office of Innovation and Strategy, at tgiurleo@mit.edu. Proposals will be reviewed by a selection committee that includes GE Vernova and MIT faculty leadership.

Eligibility

Faculty and Senior Researchers (PRS/SRS) are invited to submit proposals.

Proposal Deadline

Proposals should be submitted by clicking here no later than June 16, 2025. Questions may be directed to Tia Giurleo, tgiurleo@mit.edu

Funding, Budgets, and Resources

Proposals will be funded up to $300,000 for a nominal 12-month project duration.  Proposals may envision projects that continue beyond one year, as consistent with and necessitated by the research’s scope and complexity.  However, budgets should not exceed ~$300,000 (with potential for evaluation after Phase 1), inclusive of all direct and indirect costs. Please work with your Fiscal Officer to prepare your budget, following MIT-sponsored research budget guidelines (WBS with full F&A).  The budget submitted for review should be a brief, summary version. A detailed budget will be required, if selected, at the time of award.

Timeline

Contact

Questions may be directed to Tia Giurleo at tgiurleo@mit.edu

FAQS

Can I apply to more than one topic area?

Yes, you may apply to more than one topic; please limit your submission to no more than two proposals total.

Can I submit more than one proposal (to the same topic area?)

Yes, you may submit up to two proposals to any topic area, including two proposals to the same topic.

What is the intended timeframe or period of performance?

Projects are generally envisioned to be one year long, but you may propose a project of longer duration, provided that the scope and complexity warrant the longer timeframe and your proposal budget does not exceed ~$300,000 for Phase 1. 

Can I propose multiple phases?  Will Round 1-awarded projects be considered for renewal or extension?

Yes, proposals may include dependent or contingent phases, with justification.  Projects may be considered for renewal and extension beyond year 1, with justification.

Are there any restrictions in the budget items? 

You must follow MIT sponsored research funding policies and procedures, but there are no restrictions beyond those.