What is PERC?
The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) promotes the safe, efficient use of propane as a preferred energy source. PERC is funded by an assessment or “checkoff” on each gallon of odorized propane gas sold in the United States. Through PERC, the propane industry has undertaken a multidisciplinary effort to improve consumer and employee safety, fund research and development of new and more efficient propane equipment, and expand public awareness of propane and its many uses and advantages.
What is the Propane Challenge?
The Propane Challenge is an innovation catalyst for the propane industry. It will seek and fund the best minds in companies, universities, and national laboratories to develop new ideas and breakthrough innovations for challenges facing the propane industry.
What are PERC's priorities?
PERC aims to generate ideas, create interest, and secure new project proposals that represent the most promising opportunities to grow the propane industry. It has identified breakthrough innovation opportunities that hold the most promise to grow the propane industry and improve its operations.
What is the due date for idea submissions to the Propane Challenge?
There is no due date for an application to the Propane Challenge; it is an ongoing effort to encourage talented researchers to think about new ways to deliver and use propane. Interested researchers should complete and submit the idea submission form for each idea they have for addressing the breakthrough innovation opportunities.
What is PERC’s history of funding R&D?
PERC has invested more than $81.3 million since 1998 in the research, development, and commercialization of groundbreaking propane technologies through dozens of partnerships with companies, universities, and national laboratories.
Where does my idea submission go?
PERC will review all ideas and enter them into its Idea Vault. The highest-rated ideas will undergo further evaluation, with some selected to proceed to a formal grant funding request.
How are my ideas judged?
PERC will evaluate all ideas using internal and outside experts to determine the technical feasibility of the idea and the benefits to the propane industry.
What happens to my intellectual property?
Submitters must have the right to submit their ideas to PERC. By submitting an idea, the submitter represents that he/she/they own the intellectual property rights in the idea and submission. Intellectual property rights are reviewed and negotiated at the time of contracting for each project. DO NOT SUBMIT ANY CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. See the full Terms and Conditions.
What should I expect once I submit an idea to PERC?
The Propane Challenge team will respond to all idea submissions within 24 hours to acknowledge receipt. PERC intends to evaluate all ideas within 30-40 days of submission. PERC will then notify submitters regarding next steps, which may include proceeding to a formal grant funding request. If additional information is required to properly evaluate your idea, PERC will contact you via email or phone. Accepted ideas eventually will enter PERC’s Propel process.
If my idea is not selected, will my submission be returned?
No submissions will be returned, so make sure you keep a copy of all relevant information and materials.
What if my idea does not address one of the Propane Challenge areas?
Please submit your idea. While PERC will give priority to ideas that address specified breakthrough innovation opportunities, the organization is constantly searching for innovative ideas. PERC intends to update its breakthrough innovation plan regularly to reflect new opportunities.
Who can I contact if I have questions?
Ross Brindle
Propane Challenge Manager
240-667-7636
challenge@propane.com
How often will the Propane Challenge website and breakthrough innovation opportunities be updated?
PERC will update the Propane Challenge website with new information as it becomes available. Please check back frequently for updates. PERC plans to update our breakthrough innovation opportunities at least quarterly.