CO-WY Engine CLIMATE RESILIENCE PROGRAMS
Colorado & Wyoming’s hub for climate resilience innovation
Fostering Climate Resiliency
Supporting projects that develop and implement innovative technologies and solutions to monitor, mitigate, and adapt to climate impacts, specifically in Colorado and Wyoming.
Preference will be given to projects that present scalable impactful solutions and those who can demonstrate a clear pathway to real-world implementation within a set timeframe.
Bridging the Gap with Use-Inspired and Translation
We are looking for:
Projects that showcase a solid product-market fit, collaboration with industry partners, solution adopters/users, tribal entities, community organizations, government entities, non-governmental organizations with an identified need that this research supports or startup development resources, and a roadmap for securing additional translational funding.
Strengthening the Innovation Ecosystem
Enriching the regional innovation ecosystem by addressing its existing gaps, including scarcity of translational funding, shortage of executive talent, intellectual property barriers, and access to investment capital.
Projects deploying collaborative approaches, engage multiple stakeholders, and have strategies for long-term sustainability and impact.
Promoting Inclusivity
Ensuring that the innovation and translation processes are inclusive and representative and lead to equitable outcomes for all, especially underserved populations in the Colorado and Wyoming region.
Projects with clear inclusion strategies, demonstrate diverse team composition, and aim to impact marginalized communities, including tribal nations, will be given precedence.
CO-WY Engine RFP FAQ
Use-Inspired R&D Grants: These grants aim to foster research and development of innovative data, technology, or practice solutions for advancing climate technologies and community resiliency.
Eligible universities include:
• Colorado State University
• University of Wyoming University of Colorado (Boulder, Denver)
• University of Northern Colorado
• Colorado School of Mines
• Metro State University
Translation Grants: These grants aim to accelerate the commercialization of innovations into tangible products, services, or solutions that address climate resiliency. Proposals should demonstrate a solid product-market fit, collaboration with industry partners, and a roadmap for securing additional translational funding.
• Methane emissions analysis
• Soil carbon capture data & analytics
• Wildfire risk & prediction
• Extreme weather modeling
• Water availability prediction
• Complex Earth sensing
Evaluations and interviews: September 4 – October 1, 2024 Acceptance communications: October 2 – October 14,2024
- Click on the provided opportunity link to access the grant program information page.
- From the opportunity page, click on “Apply” to view required fields and submit applications.
- Log into the system. Colorado State University applicants will utilize the “Colorado State University Login” with their NetID/password. All other applicants must utilize the “Login for Other Users” and create a profile.
- Complete all fields and upload all required components. You can save your application as a draft prior to submission. Saved drafts can be found in the “Applications” tab.
- Be sure to “Submit” your application. Applications left as “draft” will not be reviewed.
• 12 months of support
• A dedicated Engine Client Director
• Mentorship
• Translation grants: $250,000 to $750,000
• Use-Inspired R&D grants: up to $300,000
We work closely with participating founders to create a capital strategy to secure additional funding outside the programs. What kind of investor connections does the program facilitate?The program facilitates investor introductions, investor events, and conferences through its network of participating organizations.
Corporate partners include Lockheed, Nvidia, Palantir, Chevron, Trimble, Shell, Microsoft, and NOAA.
Grants for climate resilience solutions
The CO-WY Engine is receiving significant funding from the National Science Foundation aimed at improving the resilience of communities in our two-state region. The Engine will support the development of unique environmental data and measurements in our region through research and development and translation of technologies using grant programs and other means.
Upcoming due dates
July 22, 2024
September 3, 2024
Grant duration
Grants are one year of funding.
Formal extensions can be requested for up to six additional months with significant progress and adequate justification.