The Department of Energy has announced the availability of up to $12 million in funding for energy-saving lighting technologies. The DOE will invest in projects to accelerate research and development of solid-state lighting technologies like LEDs and OLEDs.

By 2030, solid-state lighting could potentially reduce national lighting electricity use by one-fourth, which would save $15 billion and reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to taking 21 million cars off the road.

DOE is seeking applications for solid-state lighting projects in the following categories:

  • Core Technology – Between two and six projects to receive up to $6 million, will be selected to focus on applied research to develop lighting technologies that increase efficiency, improve performance, and reduce costs. Selected projects will fill technology gaps or provide enabling knowledge or data to drive these energy-saving technologies forward.
  • Product Development – Between two and six projects to receive up to $6 million, will be selected to build on the knowledge gained from basic or applied research to move materials, devices, or systems in to the market faster. Selected projects will develop targeted, market-ready products with the competitive price, performance, and efficiency needed for successful commercialization.

Applications will be accepted through November 3, 2011. For more information and to apply, click here .