The agency has issued a request for proposals from nonprofits that could use the money to market New Mexico’s hydrogen assets and attract businesses working in hydrogen research.

The selected contractor must create a partnership between federally funded centers, universities, economic development organizations, government agencies and the state’s small corps of private hydrogen-related businesses.

The contractor must also help the state develop and adopt a set of standards for the operation and use of fuel cells.

The money comes from the Advanced Technologies Economic Development Act, aimed at attracting hydrogen fuel-related companies to the state.