Research Initiative
In July 2007, we launched a ten-year International Research Initiative. Its purpose is to spur the development of climate-friendly technologies. Through 2016, we plan to award approximately EUR six million annually in grants to fund innovative research projects at universities and scientific institutes, resulting in total funding of EUR60 million.
Research Topic Changes Annually
The research topic changes each year. In 2007, the focus of project funding was energy storage technology. We received about 50 grant applications from 62 different institutions in eleven different countries. The applicants included some of the world’s most renowned research institutes and universities. The research topic for 2008 is "energy applications for nanotechnology". This means the focus will be on driving nanotech research in energy generation, conversion and storage forward.