For further information:
Bill Hall/Executive Director
Shale Gas Innovation & Commercialization Center (SGICC)
814-863-4881/ billhall@psu.edu
Ben Franklin Shale Gas Innovation Center Seeking Grant Applicants to Advance New Technologies
STATE COLLEGE, PA – Ben Franklin’s Shale Gas Innovation & Commercialization Center (www.sgicc.org) is currently seeking companies, entrepreneurs, or university researchers located in the State of PA (or companies having a significant presence in the state) interested in applying for grant funds to help advance their new shale energy related technology. Of highest interest are technologies ready for testing or demonstration, or efforts geared towards advancing the commercialization of an existing product or service seeking to enter the shale energy industry. Projects focused on improving a company’s marketing and sales efforts, supply chain improvements, or production improvement are also of interest.
The SGICC received a $750,000 grant from the PA Department of Community & Economic Development (PA DCED) through their Discovered in PA – Developed in PA (D2PA) grant program, and a portion of the funds are available to focus on the commercialization of emerging technologies in an effort to increase the value of the shale energy play in the Commonwealth.
Bill Hall, Executive Director of SGICC noted, “We are currently working with several companies in the state that are advancing new shale energy focused technologies, but we want to be certain the word is out statewide that we are seeking additional opportunities to invest in. The project timeline requires the use of the funds by June 30, 2015. The process for applying is straight forward, and grants can be awarded quickly through a streamlined approval process we’ve implemented with the DCED. Grants up to $50,000 will be considered. The grants require a minimum 1:1 match, with cash match preferred, and higher match proposals will receive a higher probability of being funded. ”
Interested parties are encouraged to go to http://www.sgicc.org/d2pa-documents.html and download the “D2PA Grant Guidelines” document to review the guidelines for submitting a preliminary application. Page 7 of this document is a simple one page Preliminary Application that can be completed and e-mailed to Bill Hall at billhall@psu.edu.
The Ben Franklin Shale Gas Innovation and Commercialization Center (www.sgicc.org), an initiative of Ben Franklin Technology Partners/CNP (http://www.cnp.benfranklin.org) is designed to harness innovation and new technologies as a means to maximize the economic return to Pennsylvania’s citizens from the various shale formations comprise part of the energy reserves of the Commonwealth. The Center also identifies, supports and helps commercialize technologies and early-stage businesses that enhance responsible stewardship of the environment while properly utilizing this transformative energy asset.
