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United States Department of Energy (DOE)

ENERGYWERX: iCRS-D - i2X Interconnection Cost Reduction Solutions for Distribution Program

Request Ticket // Limit: 1 // Tickets Available: 1

Limiting Language
Yes, each lead organization can submit only one application.

Program Description
ENERGYWERX, through a Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA) with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Interconnection Innovation e-Xchange (i2X) program, is looking to fund pilot tests of innovative interconnection solutions under the Interconnection Cost Reduction Solutions for Distribution (iCRS-D) program. This program will help address the National Energy Emergency by supporting innovations to streamline and expedite interconnection services by implementing cutting-edge technology solutions, such as grid enhancing technologies, grid-interactive loads, flexible interconnection, micro-grids, and many other innovations. The iCRS-D program aims to reduce interconnection costs related to grid upgrades by 70% for generators, large loads, and hybrid facilities connecting to the distribution grids.

To usher in a new era of American prosperity, we must ensure all Americans and domestic industries have access to affordable, reliable, and secure electricity. United States electricity demand is growing at an extraordinary pace due to the rapid rise of large commercial and industrial loads (e.g., data centers) and electrification. The challenge is compounded as Americans face rising electricity prices across the country.

The iCRS-D Program will provide $4 million to fund up to four organizations, each of which will lead a multi-stakeholder partnership at the local, state, or regional level. Each partnership will execute a Lighthouse Project - a pilot program that develops and demonstrates new technologies and effective solutions - to increase data access and transparency, streamline and expedite interconnection services, and maximize economic efficiency. Lead organizations, with their partners, will apply their distribution-level interconnection expertise to prioritize and adapt practical solutions for load and generation interconnection. These efforts will deliver tested approaches to scalable interconnection innovations that improve processes, reduce overall costs, and maintain a reliable grid.

Funding Type
Internal Deadline
External Deadline
4/16/2026

Energy Frontier Research Centers (EFRCs)

Institutionally Coordinated // Limit: 3 // Tickets Available: 0

J. Schaibley (Physics)
D. Soh (Optical Sciences)
S. Ndlovu (Mining Engineering and Mineral Resources)

Limiting Language
Applicant institutions are limited to no more than three pre-applications or applications as the lead institution.

An individual may not be named as the PI (EFRC Director) on more than one pre-application or application. Directors of existing EFRC awards that do not have project end dates in 2026 cannot be named as the EFRC Director on any pre-application or application in response to this NOFO.

There is no limitation to the number of applications on which an institution appears as a subrecipient. 

Should DOE receive submissions in excess of the applicable limits, DOE reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to request additional or clarifying information to ascertain the institution’s intended submissions. Otherwise, DOE will consider the latest received submissions to be the institution’s intended submissions.
• Pre-applications in excess of the limited number of submissions may be discouraged.
• Applications in excess of the limited number of submissions may be declined without review.

Program Description
The DOE SC program in Basic Energy Sciences (BES) announces a re-competition of the Energy Frontier Research Center (EFRC) program. The purpose of this program is to bring together world-class teams of scientists from universities, DOE national laboratories, and other institutions to perform energy-relevant basic research with a scope and complexity beyond what is possible in single-investigator or small-group awards. These multi-investigator, multi-disciplinary centers accelerate transformative scientific advances for the most challenging topics in materials sciences, chemical sciences, geosciences, and biosciences. EFRCs integrate experiments, theory, computation, and AI/ML; develop innovative experimental and theoretical tools that illuminate fundamental processes in unprecedented detail; and create an enthusiastic, interdisciplinary, workforce of energy-focused scientists.

Funding Type
External Deadline
4/1/2026 (Required Pre-Application); 7/1/2026 (Application)

2026 Scientific Infrastructure Support for Consolidated Innovative Nuclear Research (Topic Area 2)

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Limiting Language
The University of Arizona is only eligible to submit to Topic Area 2: General Scientific Infrastructure (GSI)

Topic Area 2: General Scientific Infrastructure (GSI)
An eligible applicant may submit only one application to this topic area. If an entity submits more than
one full application, the DOE will only review the last submission.

Program Purpose 
The Office of Nuclear Energy’s (NE) program purpose is to advance nuclear energy science and technology to meet U.S. energy, environmental and economic needs. NE enables innovation, supports unique research infrastructure, and solves crosscutting challenges facing the nuclear energy sector through research, development and demonstration. NE has identified the following goals to address challenges in the nuclear energy sector, help realize the potential of advanced technology, and leverage the unique role of the government in spurring innovation:

  • Enable continued operation of existing U.S. nuclear reactors.
  • Enable deployment of advanced nuclear reactors.
  • Develop advanced nuclear fuel cycles.
  • Maintain U.S. leadership in nuclear energy technology.

Investing in the next generation of nuclear energy leaders and advancing university-led nuclear
innovation is vital to fulfilling NE's mission, which is primarily accomplished through NE’s Nuclear Energy
University Program (NEUP). NEUP was established in 2009 to consolidate NE’s university support and
enable the integration of university research within NE’s technical programs. Through various
competitive award opportunities, the program engages with U.S. universities and colleges to conduct
research and development (R&D), enhance infrastructure, and support student education, thereby
contributing to the development of a world-class nuclear energy and workforce capability.

Expected Performance Goals:
Topic Area 2: General Scientific Infrastructure (GSI)

  • Procurement of equipment, software, instrumentation, and associated non-reactor upgrade
    requests that support nuclear energy-related R&D or education.
  • Procurement of equipment and instrumentation for specialized facilities, classrooms, and
    teaching laboratories, and non-reactor NS&E research.
  • Procurement of infrastructure that supports the sharing and use of equipment and
    instrumentation by multiple campuses of a university, multiple universities, or with national
    laboratories is encouraged.
Funding Type
Internal Deadline
External Deadline
4/9/2026

The Circular Supply Chains Accelerator - DE-FOA-0003512

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Concept paper - Limit: 1 // Tickets Available: 1

Associated Application - Limit: 1 // Tickets Available: 0 
H. Jin (Systems and Industrial Engineering)

Limiting Language
An entity may submit only one concept paper and one associated application to this NOFO. The concept paper and application must address no more than one topic area identified in Key Facts section above. If an entity submits more than one concept paper the DOE will only review the last submission. Thislimitation does not prohibit an applicant from collaborating on other applications (e.g., as a potential subrecipient or partner) so long as the entity is listed as the applicant on only one concept paper and one associated application submitted under this NOFO.

Executive Summary
The Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office (AMMTO) supports the development of a globally competitive U.S. energy industrial base that drives supply chain resiliency and energy security through materials and manufacturing innovation. The development of circular supply chains that enable efficient use of materials through reuse, repair, remanufacture, and recycling is important toward accomplishing these goals.1,2 Efforts to achieve a robust and competitive manufacturing sector through innovation in circular supply chains cannot be successful without: (1) a comprehensive understanding of the landscape of technical and non-technical factors that could impact the adoption of emerging technologies and (2) strong connections across the circularity field to accelerate innovations from R&D- scale to commercial practice. This NOFO seeks to establish a new accelerator which will address this need through the development of a comprehensive technical and market analysis portfolio and stakeholder engagement activities.

The Accelerator’s analysis portfolio will establish a comprehensive understanding of both technical and non-technical factors impacting the adoption of emerging technologies for circular supply chains. Technical factors of interest include the state of emerging technologies in terms of performance and cost metrics. Awareness of these technical factors requires strong understanding of the R&D landscape as well as the state of industrial practice. Non-technical factors of interest include market conditions, supply chain dynamics, policy and regulatory landscape, workforce readiness, infrastructure capabilities, among others. These non- technical market factors may be region-specific and would be critical to inform a systems-level perspective of potential barriers and pathways to widespread commercial adoption. The Accelerator will leverage understanding of technical and non-technical factors to analyze market opportunity within specific product and material market segments. This will identify specific early adopter markets and seq

Internal Deadline
External Deadline
7/18/2025

Research in Basic Plasma Science and Engineering (DE-FOA-0003503)

Limit: 2 // Tickets Available: 0

M. Phillips (Optical Sciences)
B. Parent (Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering)

Executive Summary
The FES Discovery Plasma Science: Plasma Science and Technology–General Plasma Science (GPS) program seeks new or renewal single-investigator or small-group applications to carry out hypothesis-driven frontier-level research in basic plasma science and engineering. This program aims to develop accurate descriptions of the complex behavior of the plasma state, to push it into new regimes that expand our concept of what constitutes a plasma, to design experiments and diagnostics to explore these states, and to validate theoretical models. 

For more information, see GPS program science drivers in the CPP Report: A Community Plan for Fusion Energy and
Discover Plasma Sciences, 2019-2020. This NOFO is focused on fundamental research involving plasma including astrophysical, dusty, and low temperature plasmas. Research toward developing plasma-based technologies is out of scope of this NOFO.

Limitations on Submissions 
Applicant institutions are limited to no more than two pre-applications (or lead applications), and PIs may only be named on no more than one pre-application (or lead application).

Individuals named as DOE/NNSA National Laboratory PIs, Co-PIs, or senior/key personnel must be an indispensable part of the laboratory with their effort closely integrated into the laboratory’s current plasma science research program and supported at least 50% of their time by the laboratory.

If a multi-institutional team is submitting collaborative applications, only the lead institution should submit a pre-application that should include all institutions, institutional Co-PIs, and all other personnel and relevant information.

DOE will consider the latest received submissions to be the institution’s intended submissions.
• Pre-applications in excess of the limited number of submissions will be discouraged.
• Applications in excess of the limited number of submissions will be declined without review.

Funding Type
Internal Deadline
External Deadline
2/14/2025 (Required Pre-Application)

CMI-1-2024: Critical Materials Innovation Hub

Limit: 1 // Tickets Available: 0

S. Ndlovu (Mining and Geological Engineering) 

Limited Submission Eligibility
Lead Organizations are limited to one submission. No limits on partnering as sub-recipients.

Purpose and Objectives
The intent of this Request for Proposals (RFP) is to seek out new opportunities to accelerate the transformational advances in science and engineering necessary to reduce material criticality for energy innovation, with specific emphasis on industrial relevance, participation, and adoption. Additionally, CMI seeks projects that strengthen and expand its R&D portfolio by developing the capabilities and expertise across supply chain stages of materials contained in CMI materials scope. The current materials scope within CMI is summarized as shown in Table 1. It specifies whether the initial Phase III research efforts are directed toward process innovation, material innovation, or a combination of both. CMI materials scope includes magnetic rare earth elements, energy storage materials, platinum group metals, and gallium, germanium and tellurium. The current R&D profile reflects CMI’s strategic plan and vision (as informed by CMI Phase III Roadmap) to address challenges across four broadly defined parts of the supply chain: upstream, midstream, downstream, and materials innovation.
 

Cost Share Requirement
Cost share (20% minimum) required for matching federal support of private sector industrial team members. A minimum of 20% cost share of total project costs is encouraged. 

Funding Type
Internal Deadline
External Deadline
12/20/2024

DOE DE-FOA-0003289: FY 2025 Solar Energy Supply Chain Incubator

Submit ticket request  // Limit: 3*  // Tickets Available: 1 

 

An entity may submit only one Concept Paper and one Full Application for each topic area of this FOA.

 

With this FOA, SETO aims to promote innovative solar research, technology development, and product demonstration that can substantively increase U.S. domestic manufacturing across the solar energy supply chain and expand private investment in America’s solar manufacturing sector. These investments will help accelerate the growth of the solar industry, identify emerging opportunities, and drive down costs for our domestic energy market, positioning the United States on the leading edge of solar industry advances.

Topic Area 1: Solar Research and Technology Development
Topic Area 2: Solar Technology Demonstration
Topic Area 3: Solar Permitting Software Outreach, Education, and Development

Funding Type
Internal Deadline
External Deadline
10/07/2024

DOE DE-FOA-0003329: FY2025 Smart Manufacturing Technologies for Material and Process Innovation

Limit:  4*  // Tickets Available: 1

 

*An entity may submit only one Concept Paper and one Full Application for each topic area of this FOA.

A. Anani (Department of Mining and Geological Engineering)– Topic 4: Smart Technologies for Sustainable and Competitive U.S. Mining 

Q. Hao (Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering) - Topic 3: Smart Manufacturing for High Performance Materials 
 

Topic Areas:

  • Topic 1: Smart Manufacturing for a Circular Economy 
  • Topic 2: Smart Manufacturing of Tooling and Equipment for Sustainable Transportation 
  • Topic 3: Smart Manufacturing for High Performance Materials 
  • Topic 4: Smart Technologies for Sustainable and Competitive U.S. Mining 

 

This funding opportunity announcement (FOA) is being issued by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office (AMMTO). The mission of AMMTO is: “We inspire people and drive innovation to transform materials and manufacturing for America's energy future.” This is in alignment with AMMTO’s vision for the future – a globally competitive U.S. manufacturing sector that accelerates the adoption of innovative materials and manufacturing technologies in support of a clean, decarbonized economy.

This FOA seeks applications to address the development of smart manufacturing technologies –including through “smart RD&D” – that can contribute to a resilient, responsive, leading-edge, and efficient manufacturing sector that delivers the technologies needed for the nation’s clean energy transition. The manufacturing community can reduce manufacturing costs and accelerate time-to-market by integrating performance characteristics of final products with processes aided by a smart manufacturing framework. The information-driven collaborative orchestration of physical and digital processes across the entire value chain is one aspect of smart manufacturing. Smart manufacturing relies on a combination of physical and virtual technologies to make designing, processing, and manufacturing faster, higher value-added, more resilient, sustainable, and more cost-effective. Individual processes within a plant, factory, or entire value chain are integrated and continually monitored with sensing, process modeling, and predictive analytics. The physical processes focus on controlling and optimizing processing conditions for desired outcomes, while virtual processes uncover underlying complex interactions between the physical processes and provide insight into better ways to design and manufacture products (i.e., feedback for physical processes). This FOA seeks to implement smart manufacturing across several diverse application areas and market sectors to: (a) show the benefits of incorporating smart manufacturing in areas aligned with AMMTO’s mission, and (b) to provide practical experience which will be used to further refine AMMTO’s smart manufacturing strategy and future R&D direction.

Funding Type
Internal Deadline
External Deadline
08/22/2024 ( Concept paper)

DOE DE-FOA-0003323: 2024 Water Power Innovation Network

No Applicants  // Limit: 1 // Tickets Available: 1 

 

 

An entity may submit only one Concept Paper and one Full Application to this FOA.

This FOA seeks applications for new and/or expanded water power incubation or accelerator programs to address the commercialization needs of entrepreneurs and small businesses in marine energy and/or hydropower. The strategic goals of this FOA are to:

  • Foster business creation, innovation, and competition in the water power field.
  • Increase the diversity of people, perspectives, and ideas in water power.
  • Ease commercialization pathways for water power entrepreneurs and small businesses to accelerate the commercialization of water power systems and solutions.
Internal Deadline
External Deadline
08/01/2024

DOE DE-FOA-0003207: 2024 Funding for Accelerated, Inclusive Research (FAIR)

No Applicants  // Limit: 24* // Tickets Available: 24 


*Applicant institutions are  limited to three pre-applications and three applications for each program (ASCR, BES, BER, FES, HEP, NP, DOE IP, ARDAP).

 

The Office of Science (SC) seeks applications for fundamental research in fields supported by SC to build research capacity at institutions historically underrepresented in the SC portfolio, i.e. non-R1 minority serving institutions (MSIs) and non-R1 emerging research institutions (ERIs). This FOA aims to build research capacity, including infrastructure and expertise at these institutions, through mutually beneficial relationships between applicants and DOE national laboratories, SC scientific user facilities, or R1 MSI/ERIs. 

SC supports fundamental research in applied mathematics, biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, geoscience, isotope research, materials science, fusion energy science, and physics to transform our understanding of nature and catalyze scientific discoveries that can lead to technical breakthroughs. All applications to SC should focus on hypothesis-driven basic research. SC does not support applied research, product development, or prototyping.

Funding Type
Internal Deadline
External Deadline
07/16/2024