Frequently Asked Questions

View answers to frequently asked questions about partnering with NLR, partnership agreements, procurement, NLR funding and payment, technology licensing, and commercialization.

Types of Partners

Who are NLR partners?

NLR partners with a variety of entities, including government agencies, industry, academia, and nonprofits. Learn more about our partnerships.

Does NLR partner with international companies?

Yes, NLR engages in strategic partnerships that align with our mission. See technology partnership agreements for more.

Does NLR partner with international organizations?

Yes. See information about NLR's bilateral and multilateral international partnerships.

Does NLR partner with start-ups?

Yes. Learn more about NLR's commercialization programs, which support emerging energy entrepreneurs.

Can I register with NLR as a small business?

Yes. See small business vendor or subcontractor registration.

Partnership Agreements

How can my organization partner with NLR?

Through the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), NLR has a number of partnering mechanisms in place. These technology partnership agreements include:

• Agreements for commercializing a technology – when a partner seeks flexible contract terms and highly-specialized or technical services to complete a project
• Cooperative research and development agreements – when a partner and the lab intend to collaborate on a project
• Strategic partnership projects agreements – when a partner seeks technical services to complete a project but does not intend to perform joint research.

Organizations may also partner with NLR to use the Energy Systems Integration Facility and other NLR research facilities.

How many active partnership agreements does NLR have in place?

Nearly 900.

Can NLR participate in federal interagency agreements?

Yes, an interagency agreement is a type of strategic partnership project agreement through DOE.

Requests for Proposals, Solicitations, and Subcontracts

Does NLR procure goods and services?

NLR offers numerous procurement opportunities, including purchasing and subcontracting. See procurement.

Where can I find NLR's current requests for proposals and solicitations?

View all upcoming purchasing and subcontracting opportunities.

Can I send NLR an unsolicited proposal?

The National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), not NLR, serves as DOE's central point of receipt for all unsolicited proposals. See the DOE-NETL Guide for the Submission of Unsolicited Proposals.

Funding and Payment

How do payment and funding work?

When NLR performs work for others, we require payment for the first 90 days of work in advance, with subsequent payments by monthly invoicing so we always have a balance of funds to charge. For other procurement opportunities, it varies depending on the type of contract in place.

Is NLR funded by the U.S. government?

Yes. NLR is the principal research laboratory for DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. NLR also conducts research for DOE's Office of Science and Office of Electricity. Through an interagency agreement, a government organization other than DOE, such as the U.S. Department of Defense, can directly fund NLR's work.

Can NLR get funding for my project or organization from the U.S. government?

No, you will need to apply for funding directly with the federal government. Learn about funding opportunities available from DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. USA.gov provides information on benefits, grants, and financial aid available from the federal government.

Financing and Licensing

Will NLR help me with financing for my technology?

NLR's Industry Growth Forum provides energy entrepreneurs an opportunity to present their business cases to an expert panel of investors and energy executives.

What NLR technologies are available for licensing?

Our licensing opportunities are available to businesses with the technical and financial resources necessary to turn early-stage technology into commercial products. Visit the Lab Partnering Service website to find NLR technologies available for licensing.

Contact Us

Are you interested working directly with or have questions for an NLR researcher? Find contacts within our research areas.

Find more information about working with NLR or complete the form to submit a question or comment.