This review summarizes advantages, recent progress and challenges related to the quickly evolving research field of colloidal quantum dot integrated LEDs based on color conversion. We start with presenting a short general introduction to the field of solid state lighting and color conversion phenomena, which are essential for defining the requirements for high-quality general lighting. Subsequently we continue with a brief description of the synthesis of nanocrystal quantum dots and their optical properties together with the advantages of utilizing them in LEDs as color convertors. Following this basic background, we review the recent efforts on quantum dot integrated color-conversion LEDs, Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) converted LEDs and FRET-enhanced LEDs. Finally, we conclude with a future outlook on semiconductor lighting and quantum dot integrated LEDs. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.