Research, Science & environment

Bosch grants $10 million for energy research

By Roibín Ó hÉochaidh

UC Berkeley will be one of five leading universities to launch Bosch Group’s new $10 million energy initiative, designed to promote research and education in the United States.

The Bosch Energy Research Network project will provide two-year grant opportunities—at $150,000 per year—to develop transformative energy technologies for production.

Power station

Bosch will provide $10 million in energy research grants. Photo courtesy of PG&E

The project will focus on several key areas, including energy conversion through solar and wind; storage technologies for transportation and utilities; and usage efficiencies through microgrids and cooling systems.

The company is accepting applications for the initial round of grants through July 1. Visit the BERN Website .

The Bosch Research and Technology Center North America in Palo Alto is managing the grant program. Depending on project performance and availability of funds, the two-year grants may be extended one year.

Applications that are multidisciplinary may be eligible for matching funds through Berkeley’s Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research. Applications for matching funds must be submitted by June 24 to vcrfleming@berkeley.edu

Bosch anticipates funding some 20 research projects over the next eight years. Alongside UC Berkeley, the California Institute of Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University and the University of Michigan are eligible to participate in the first round of funding.

In addition to building relationships with the leading faculty and best engineering talent in the field of energy research through research grants, BERN will fund about 200 energy-related internships for undergraduates across a range of disciplines.

Currently, internships are open to students at 13 universities, including UC Berkeley, Cal Tech and Stanford.

“As a technology company and innovation driver, Bosch is also pursuing the objective of significantly cutting energy consumption and environmental impact in the U.S. by using alternative energy technologies,” says Peter Marks, the Bosch executive responsible for North and South America.

Bosch established the BERN project as part of a broader international higher education initiative to improve in research conditions for university students and scientists across China, Germany, India and the United States.

Bosch’s InterCampus program will provide about $70 million in funding to universities and research programs focused on sustainable energy usage during the next 10 years. The company plans to create networks among universities, establishing new institutes and expanding existing departments.