There are more than 150 academic research centers located at universities across the United States exploring different dimensions of the energy system, all with different topic areas of focus, disciplinary emphases, and level of funding.  Funds from this grant support the creation of a collaboration network, the University Energy Institute Collaborative (UEIC), that will facilitate coordination among these academic research institutes, foster the exchange of ideas, and promote collaborative research. Grant funds will cover the costs of running the network’s subcommittees and communication activities, develop a web portal for members, and planning and holding two annual summits that will bring together center representatives in person. Funds will also go toward the design of a small, seed grant program that would support cross-institutional collaborative projects among UEIC members.