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Applications for Cohort 2025 are now closed, and we are currently in the review and selection phase. Applications for Cohort 2026 will open in Fall 2025. Stay tuned for your opportunity to join Innovation Crossroads and collaborate with like-minded entrepreneurs dedicated to addressing critical challenges in energy and advanced manufacturing.

About Innovation Crossroads

Innovation Crossroads, a Lab-Embedded Entrepreneurship Program, at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is the Southeast’s only entrepreneurial research and development program based at a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratory. Innovation Crossroads was founded to address the critical need to accelerate the applied research, development, and deployment of technologies based in the physical sciences, such as materials and manufacturing, that are capable of transforming the nation’s energy systems. Driving these technologies from laboratory to commercialization requires both collaborative research and development and the entrepreneurial development of the innovators working on these technologies.

Innovation Crossroads supports and mentors entrepreneurial researchers whose early-stage innovations are presently too challenging or technically uncertain to pursue in a venture capital-financed startup. Innovators are selected for the program through an annual competition. Innovation Crossroads embeds innovators at ORNL for up to two years for entrepreneurial mentorship and to conduct cooperative research and development with the intention of incubating and translating innovations from proof-of-concept to proof-of-product. This unique fellowship opportunity allows selected innovators to leverage the ORNL’s world-leading scientific facilities, equipment, capabilities, and experts to advance their early-stage scientific discoveries into potential commercial opportunities within a relatively short period of time.

The program is supported by ORNL, DOE Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office (AMMTO), Building Technologies Office (BTO), Office of Electricity (OE), Office of Science (SC) Advanced Scientific Computing Research (ASCR) program, and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA).

Accelerating Your Innovation at Oak Ridge National Laboratory

By embedding the next generation of top technical talent within ORNL, Innovation Crossroads positions entrepreneurial research fellows to address fundamental challenges identified by industry. Learn more about the unique scientific resources, facilities, equipment, capabilities, and experts available at ORNL in these science and technology areas:

Opportunity

Innovation Crossroads will help selected innovators in the physical sciences and energy technologies to mature their early-stage innovations. DOE and TVA will provide funding to ORNL to support selected innovators in developing their technology. Additionally, program sponsors will provide an Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) fellowship to the selected innovators for the first year with the possibility of renewal, subject to a one-year review, for support of up to two years through this program. ORNL is presently searching for innovators for cohort 2025. Benefits to selected innovators may include up to 24 months of Innovation Crossroads resources, subject to performance and availability of funding, including:

  • A two-year fellowship – Innovators receive a yearly living stipend of $115,000, along with a health insurance stipend and professional development allowance for travel funding, educational training and development, and customer discovery activities.
     
  • World-class lab access and research funding – In addition to unparalleled access to facilities, research tools, equipment, and expertise at ORNL, innovators receive R&D funding to support collaboration opportunities with researchers across the lab.
     
  • Business mentors, entrepreneurial training, and networking – Innovators receive access to experienced business mentors, entrepreneurial training programs, and exclusive networking opportunities. Innovators are also connected to a wide range of leaders from academia, industry, government, and finance that can serve as advisors and partners.

Application Timeline

  • Applications open: 8 a.m. ET September 4, 2024
     
  • Applications close: 8 p.m. ET November 8, 2024
     
  • Written application review: November–December 2024
    Applications are reviewed by the Innovation Crossroads team, as well as scientific and industry subject matter experts.
     
  • Internal pre-screening interview: December 2024
    Candidates who meet all required eligibility criteria will be invited to conduct an informal virtual pre-screen interview with the Innovation Crossroads team to learn more about the candidate, their technology/company, and address any questions that they have about the program or process.
     
  • Virtual semifinal interviews: January 2025
    Semifinalists are invited to present to a review panel of representatives from the local entrepreneurial ecosystem and internal program champions.
     
  • In-person final interviews: March 12-13, 2025
    Finalists are invited to visit ORNL to tour facilities; connect with potential collaborators, principal investigators, and mentors; and present to a talented team of investors, business executives, and experienced entrepreneurs from across the country.
     
  • Cohort 2025 selected: May–June 2025
     
  • Cohort 2025 starts at Innovation Crossroads: August 2025

Eligibility Criteria

For acceptance into the program, applicants must:

  • Apply as an individual, not as a company or organization (if you are part of a team, each member of your team can apply as an individual) 
  • Have doctoral degree or equivalent experience
  • Leverage ORNL R&D capabilities and have alignment with DOE’s and/or TVA’s mission 
  • Be willing to relocate to the Knoxville-Oak Ridge area for two years
  • Be a US citizen or lawful permanent resident at time of application
  • Have raised no more the $2 million USD in debt or equity funding from non-government sources within three years prior to program application
  • Successfully execute a cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA) with ORNL
  • Disclose background intellectual property rights, if necessary, that may be needed to freely operate on R&D-related tasks as outlined within the CRADA

Technology Areas of Interest

Innovators must focus on an emerging technology that will advance the development of clean energy, advanced manufacturing, a shared integrated grid, and/or smart buildings. Innovation Crossroads seeks entrepreneurs advancing technologies to overcome complex scientific challenges that require a lengthy development cycle of about two years to reach the pre-commercial prototype stage. 

Technology areas of interest, as identified by our sponsors:

  • Advanced materials
    Scientific breakthroughs in basic and applied materials using materials synthesis, characterization, and theory to produce cutting-edge materials for energy generation, storage, and use.
     
  • Carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration
    Scientific breakthroughs that develop, demonstrate, and deploy approaches to advance technologies to reduce and recycle carbon emissions and other environmental impacts of fossil fuel production and use, while working towards net-zero emissions.
     
  • Circular economy technologies and systems
    Scientific breakthroughs that provide opportunities to re-manufacture and reuse end-of-life consumer products instead of having them end up in a landfill.
     
  • Data and networking systems and technology
    Scientific breakthroughs that provide opportunities to optimize functionality and drive insight from the internet of things, 5G telecommunications, and electric vehicle telematics.
     
  • Energy storage and grid optimization
    Scientific breakthroughs in power and energy systems, vehicle and buildings science, power electronics, energy storage, sensors and controls, data science and modeling, and cybersecurity enabling breakthroughs to support a resilient and secure power grid. Specific energy storage technologies of interest include pumped storage hydropower, nickel-hydrogen batteries, iron salt water batteries, and organic aqueous flow batteries. Grid technologies of interest include voltage optimization, automatic switching and reclosing, line sensors, hosting capacity tools, transmission and distribution integrated planning tools, utility managed EV charging, and charging stations for multiuse dwellings.
     
  • Improving manufacturing efficiency
    Scientific breakthroughs in next-generation materials, software, and systems to improve energy and materials efficiency, productivity, and competitiveness of American manufactures.
     
  • Industrial decarbonization
    Scientific breakthroughs in direct air capture, low-carbon generation and manufacturing, net-zero chemical processes, and the climate positive production of cement and steel.
     
  • Lowering building carbon and energy footprints
    Scientific breakthroughs accelerating the development and integration of innovative advanced building equipment and novel dynamic envelope materials and systems to enable affordable, efficient, and resilient buildings. Specific technologies of interest include variable speed and industrial heat pumps.
     
  • Negative emissions technologies and carbon dioxide removal (CDR)
    Scientific breakthroughs including direct air capture (DAC) coupled to durable storage, soil carbon sequestration, biomass carbon removal and storage, enhanced mineralization, ocean-based CDR, and afforestation/reforestation. Specific technologies of interest include carbon capture membranes, absorption, and adsorption.
     
  • Nexus of energy, water, and agriculture 
    Scientific breakthroughs that improves our national and community-level water and food security, improves water resiliency and water quality in our watersheds, reduces the energy and water intensity of the agricultural industry, and provides local economic development opportunities.
     
  • Quantum computing
    Scientific breakthroughs in quantum computing, quantum networks, and quantum sensing to address national priorities in energy, security, and scientific discovery.
     
  • Solar and wind energy
    Scientific breakthroughs across the solar and wind energy spectrum to drive innovation, lower costs, create shared community systems, and support the transition to a decarbonized power sector.
     
  • Other
    Scientific breakthroughs that can leverage unique scientific facilities, sophisticated equipment, capabilities, and experts in neutron science, high-performance computing, advanced materials, biology and environmental science, nuclear science and engineering, isotopes, and national security research to accelerate clean energy innovations to the marketplace.

Application Materials

Applications should consist of a single 8-page PDF document containing the following information:

  • Cover Page: Include only your completed "Basic Information" table.
     
  • Abstract: Provide a brief summary of your application.
     
  • Problem and Solution:
    • Problem Statement: Describe the problem your innovation addresses and its impact.
    • Technology Description: Summarize your product/solution and how it solves the problem.
    • Scientific Feasibility: Explain the soundness of the science behind your solution.
    • Tech Development Plan: Outline your development plan and risk mitigation strategies.
    • Alternative Approaches: Justify why your solution is superior to alternatives.
       
  • Mission Impact:
    • Importance of Problem: Highlight the urgency and significance of the problem.
    • Relevance to Sponsors: Discuss the potential impact on DOE, TVA, and ORNL missions.
    • Time to Market: Estimate the timeline for your first commercial sale.
       
  • ORNL Fit:
    • Program Resources: Explain how your team will benefit from Innovation Crossroads and ORNL's resources.
    • Passion/Motivation: Demonstrate your commitment and drive to commercialize your technology.
       
  • Business Potential:
    • Competitive Edge: Explain your advantage in the marketplace.
    • Market Understanding: Show your expertise in the market and identify opportunities.
    • Market Share: Estimate the market share your innovation could capture and why.
       
  • Personal Narrative: Share the origin of your idea and your motivation for pursuing it.
     
  • Additional Info: Include any other relevant details.
     
  • Resume: Recommended 1-page, included within the 8-page limit. 

Submit Your Application: Access the application template and submit your application here: https://usg.valideval.com/teams/ornl_ic_2025/signup

Learn More

Are you an entrepreneur interested in learning more about Innovation Crossroads qualifications, benefits, and the application process? 

Make plans to join us for a program overview and the opportunity to ask questions of the Innovation Crossroads Team: 

  • Thursday, September 12 | 2:00 PM ET
  • Tuesday, October 8 | 10:00 AM ET
  • Wednesday, October 30 | 4:00 PM ET

Registration for the webinars is now closed.

Note: Your registration confirmation email from Innovation Crossroads will contain Microsoft Teams connection information and instructions. 

Apply Now

Applications for Cohort 2025 are now closed, and we are currently in the review and selection phase. Applications for Cohort 2026 will open in Fall 2025. Stay tuned for your opportunity to join Innovation Crossroads and collaborate with like-minded entrepreneurs dedicated to addressing critical challenges in energy and advanced manufacturing.

Questions?

Contact us at innvcrossrds@ornl.gov.

Additional Information

ORNL employees may participate in Innovation Crossroads if the following conditions are met:

  • Employee must update Part I of his/her ORNL-16 form and meet with the ORNL Office of General Counsel to agree upon a conflict-of-interest mitigation plan before applying to Innovation Crossroads. 
  • If selected to participate in Innovation Crossroads, employee must take entrepreneurial leave.
  • Employee may apply to license ORNL technology after entrepreneurial leave begins.

Explore the ORNL Entrepreneurship Program Quick Guide to learn about application timelines and processes, the importance of early disclosure of entrepreneurship plans, managing conflicts of interest, and creating mitigation plans.

For questions or to discuss your specific situation, please reach out to the ORNL Partnerships Director.

While ideas may evolve, we want to ensure that the initial project concept is technically sound, reasonably differentiated, and addresses a well-framed problem with significant long-term impact potential. The ideal project would exhibit exceptional:

  • Impact on the U.S. energy economy (potential for large-scale impact, techno-economic feasibility, credible path to impact with viable entry markets)
  • Technical merit (technical feasibility, differentiation, clear risk mitigation plan)
  • Business idea (market research, customer/supplier/distributor evaluation, establishment/identification of intellectual property, understanding of the market including barriers to entry, sophistication of market, market incumbents, etc.)
  • Innovation Crossroads fit (basic materials science and/or manufacturing technology, Innovation Crossroads support would drastically change timeline/probability of success, alignment with lab resources and expertise, ability to work well with or in a national lab and/or research institution).

Selected innovators will contract with the Laboratory through standard non-negotiable CRADAs approved by the Department of Energy. The work may be divided into two phases, a Scope and Planning Phase (budget period one) followed by a Research and Development (R&D) phase (budget period two).

Scope and Planning Phase:

During the Scope and Planning Phase (typically less than 6 months), the innovator will work at the Lab and will undertake paper-based analysis such as performing market studies, refining the scope of their research project with Oak Ridge National Laboratory personnel, surveying the intellectual property landscape of their technology, and other activities designed to increase the chance of success in the subsequent R&D Phase. Since no hard R&D is allowed in this phase, background Intellectual Property (IP) will not be of concern.  Innovators are expected to develop an Intellectual Property (IP) Management Plan as part of the Scope and Planning phase (budget period 1), subject to the appropriate DOE Technology Manager’s approval with concurrence from DOE Patent Counsel, before proceeding to the R&D phase (budget period 2). The IP Management Plan should identify and provide a path for obtaining any background IP rights, if necessary, that may be needed to perform R&D work under the CRADA and commercialize their technology. 

R&D Phase:

Once the Scope and Planning phase has been completed, the R&D Phase of the project can proceed (subject to DOE approval).

Please note that as with any other cooperative research and development project conducted with a National Lab, an innovator’s failure to abide by its DOE approved IP Management Plan could result in delayed work, deferment or removal from the program. Please note that selected innovators do not have any rights to Lab or third-party background IP by virtue of selection or participation in this program. If an innovator requires any Lab background IP, they should reach out to the Lab’s technology transfer office.

Any work in connection with Innovation Crossroads must comply with Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Prime Contract, as well as applicable policies – including those pertaining to the avoidance of apparent or actual conflicts of interest. Innovators who have an affiliation with Oak Ridge National Laboratory, its operator UT-Battelle LLC, the Department of Energy or Tennessee Valley Authority will be subject to an organizational conflict of interest management plan.

The application review process for innovators involves independent advisors who may not be employees of Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the Department of Energy and/or Tennessee Valley Authority. As such, no proprietary information should be included in any application. By submitting information to Innovation Crossroads, innovators agree that such information is non-proprietary and not subject to any obligation of disclosure.

The Laboratory has no claim to any background intellectual property that you bring to the program. Selected applicants will be granted certain rights in data, copyrights, and patents that innovators create in the course of the program, pursuant to the terms of the CRADA between Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the successful applicants.

As a general matter:

  • Selected applicants may copyright and publish (consistent with appropriate national security considerations, if any) material developed under the CRADA (also subject to a royalty-free license to the government).
  • Selected applicants may retain the principal worldwide patent rights to any invention the applicants develop under the CRADA, subject to a reserved government use license and other limitations that can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations, 37 CFR 401. For inventions developed by Oak Ridge National Laboratory under the CRADA, selected applicants will not own the invention, but will instead have an option for up to an exclusive license to such Oak Ridge National Laboratory inventions for the term of the CRADA plus six months.
  • An IP Management Plan is established by participants in this program in order to establish clear and transparent set of mutual expectations for management of both the background and subsequently developed intellectual property relevant to the proposed activities.

I understand that by submitting an application, it will be shared with and reviewed by review panels composed of professionals from the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), and other industry or entrepreneurial organizations selected by the Innovation Crossroads program management team.