What is the ConocoPhillips Energy Prize?
Why did ConocoPhillips create the Prize?
Why did ConocoPhillips partner with Pennsylvania State University for this contest?
What is the timeline for the Prize, and when will the finalists be selected?
How much is the Prize?
Who can enter the Prize?
How do you enter?
How many entries can be submitted?
How are entries judged?
When will the winner be announced?

 
The ConocoPhillips Energy Prize is a joint initiative of ConocoPhillips and Penn State to recognize new ideas and original, actionable solutions that can help improve the way the nation develops and uses energy. The program awards up to $300,000 in cash prizes to further the development of innovative ideas and solutions in three areas:

• Developing new energy sources, including new ways to develop alternative energy. 
• Improving energy efficiency, such as new methods to significantly reduce the amount of energy consumed in the United States. 
• Combating climate change, including solutions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Why did ConocoPhillips create the Prize?
The ConocoPhillips Energy Prize is one way to generate excitement and interest in fostering new energy ideas, solutions and technologies.

ConocoPhillips believes that it will take a diverse mix of energy sources to secure America’s energy future, and that we all have a responsibility to use energy wisely and with great care for the environment. In addition, ConocoPhillips believes technology is important for maximizing existing resources and developing new sources of energy.

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Why did ConocoPhillips partner with Pennsylvania State University for this contest?
We partnered with The Penn State Earth and Mineral Sciences Energy Institute because of their expertise and commitment to developing clean, efficient energy technologies that will help our nation diversify its energy sources while continuing to meet our growing energy demand.

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What is the timeline for the Prize and when will finalists be selected?

• March 7, 2011 -- Call for entries
• May 2, 2011 -- Deadline for entries
• September 2011 -- Finalists announced
• October 2011 -- Awards event

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How much is the Prize? 
Up to $300,000 may be awarded as follows:

• The five finalists selected by the panel of expert judges will each receive $25,000 to help further develop their concepts. 
• Based on presentations by the finalists, the judges will a select the winner and first and second runners-up. 
• The winner will receive an additional $100,000; the first runner-up will receive an additional $50,000; and the second runner-up will receive an additional $25,000.
  

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Who can enter the Prize?
The ConocoPhillips Energy Prize Contest is open to legal residents of the 50 United States and District of Columbia who are at least 18 years of age or older at the time of entry. Board members, officers, directors, employees, and students (and their immediate families – defined as biological or adoptive parents, siblings, children and spouse) of ConocoPhillips, or its designated University representative, and Contest Judges, or their respective subsidiaries, affiliates, retailers or wholesalers (including the retailers and wholesalers themselves), and public relations, advertising or promotion agencies are not eligible to enter the Contest. Employees of contract companies who perform, or have performed, work for ConocoPhillips are not ineligible; however, the Submissions of these contract employees may not be associated with such work performed for ConocoPhillips. Please see official program rules for more details. 

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How do you enter?
To enter, each individual entrant or team of entrants must submit a comprehensive proposal (no more than 2,000 words) for a Concept, which for purposes of this Contest is defined as follows: a technology, process or method that identifies a new alternative and/or renewable energy source or a new way to develop an alternative and/or renewable energy source; determines a way to use any type of energy source more efficiently; and/or combats climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Entries may be submitted via the Internet or by mail. Please see official program rules for more details. 

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How many entries can be submitted?
Entrants are limited to five Submissions. If an individual Entrant is also part of a team, all Submissions by such individual, whether as an individual or as part of a team, will count towards the five Submission limit for that individual. Please see official program rules for more details. 

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How are entries be judged?
Submissions are judged by the expert panel according to the following equally weighted criteria on a sliding scale of 1-10, with one representing the lowest score and 10 the highest: creativity (i.e., how novel is the submission), scalability (i.e., can it have a large-scale impact), sustainability (i.e. can it be used over time without severely depleting resources), and commercial viability (i.e., is the Concept legal/does it have potential to be profitable?). Please see official program rules for more details.

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The winner and runners-up will be announced at the awards event, which is scheduled for October 2011. 

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