Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0001383
Apply for DE FOA 0001383
- The DOE-GFO in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "BUILDINGS ENERGY EFFICIENCY FRONTIERS & INNOVATION TECHNOLOGIES (BENEFIT) – 2016" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.086.
- This funding opportunity was created on Dec 15, 2015 and posted on Dec 15, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 18, 2016. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $2,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
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Opportunity Summary:
The BUILDINGS ENERGY EFFICIENCY FRONTIERS AND INNOVATION TECHNOLOGIES (BENEFIT) 2016 funding opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number DE-FOA-0001383) was released by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), through its Buildings Technologies Office (BTO). The overall purpose of the program is to accelerate new technologies and approaches that reduce energy use in residential and commercial buildings. DOE structured the announcement to support both earlier, higher-risk research ideas and later, more roadmap-aligned development efforts, with the intent of complementing (not replacing) BTO's core program investments.
A key feature of BENEFIT 2016 is that it is split into two distinct sections based on maturity and intent. The "Innovations" section targets early-stage concepts and enabling technologies, generally where the main value is proving feasibility, demonstrating a novel approach, or developing foundational tools and methods that could lead to significant energy savings. The "Frontiers" section focuses on later-stage, roadmap-driven work that is closer to practical deployment, integration, or broader field validation, reflecting priorities already identified in DOE building technology roadmaps. In addition, DOE included an optional Buildings University Innovators and Leaders Development (BUILD) supplement designed to build the talent pipeline and strengthen university engagement; however, the BUILD supplement could not be submitted by itself and had to be attached to an eligible main application under one of the program topics.
The Innovations section includes three topic areas. Topic 1 is an open topic for energy efficiency solutions for residential and commercial buildings, which functions as a broad entry point for novel ideas that do not fit neatly into narrower subtopics but still offer clear building energy impacts. Topic 2 targets human-in-the-loop sensor and control systems, emphasizing approaches that combine sensing, controls, and occupant interaction or behavior to improve building performance, comfort, or energy outcomes. Topic 3 focuses on infiltration diagnostic technologies, meaning tools or methods to detect, measure, or characterize unwanted air leakage in buildings; better diagnostics can support more effective retrofits, improved commissioning, and tighter building envelopes with real energy and comfort benefits.
The Frontiers section contains two later-stage topics aimed at practical implementation barriers in buildings. Topic 4 addresses plug-and-play sensor systems, reflecting the need for sensor solutions that are easier to install, configure, and integrate with existing building systems without extensive custom engineering. This speaks to a common market barrier in building automation and energy management, where complexity and commissioning costs can block adoption. Topic 5 targets advanced air-sealing technologies for existing buildings, concentrating on scalable retrofit solutions that can reduce envelope leakage in real-world conditions, where access constraints, labor time, and cost often limit how much air-sealing can be achieved.
From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity was offered as a discretionary grant competition using cooperative agreements, meaning DOE anticipated substantial involvement during project execution (for example, technical direction, milestones, and active project management are typical under this instrument). The activity category is energy, associated with CFDA number 81.086. Eligibility was listed as unrestricted (open to any type of entity), subject to any clarifications provided in the full FOA text. DOE anticipated around 10 awards, with a stated award ceiling of $2,000,000 per award. The FOA was posted on December 15, 2015, and the application deadline was April 18, 2016.
The announcement also highlighted applicant support and process logistics. DOE hosted an introductory webinar on December 21, 2015, and a full-application webinar on March 14, 2016, to walk potential applicants through the FOA structure, expectations, and submission requirements. Full details, official guidance, and the application package were made available through the EERE eXCHANGE portal (https://eere-exchange.energy.gov), and applications were required to be submitted through that system to be considered. Applicants needed to register and create an account in eXCHANGE, with user documentation available through the portal, and the FOA directed applicants to the full posting for the appropriate channels to submit technical questions about the announcement or practical questions about the submission process.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the BENEFIT 2016 funding opportunity?
BENEFIT 2016 stands for Buildings Energy Efficiency Frontiers and Innovation Technologies. It is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) funding opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number DE-FOA-0001383) released through the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Buildings Technologies Office (BTO), to support new technologies and approaches that reduce energy use in residential and commercial buildings.
What is the overall purpose of the program?
The program is intended to accelerate new technologies and approaches that reduce energy use in residential and commercial buildings. DOE designed it to support both earlier, higher-risk research ideas and later, more roadmap-aligned development efforts, and to complement (not replace) BTO core program investments.
Who is sponsoring and administering this opportunity?
The opportunity was released by DOE and administered through EERE, specifically via the Buildings Technologies Office (BTO).
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FOA number)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is DE-FOA-0001383.
What type of funding mechanism is being used?
DOE offered this as a discretionary grant competition using cooperative agreements. This typically indicates DOE expects substantial involvement during the project, such as technical direction, milestones, and active project management.
What is the activity category and CFDA number?
The activity category is energy, and the opportunity is associated with CFDA number 81.086.
How is the BENEFIT 2016 FOA structured?
The FOA is split into two distinct sections based on maturity and intent: (1) Innovations, which targets early-stage concepts and enabling technologies, and (2) Frontiers, which focuses on later-stage, roadmap-driven work closer to practical deployment, integration, or broader field validation.
What is the difference between the Innovations and Frontiers sections?
Innovations is aimed at earlier-stage, higher-risk work where the goal is often to prove feasibility, demonstrate novelty, or develop foundational tools and methods. Frontiers is aimed at later-stage efforts aligned with DOE building technology roadmaps and is generally closer to practical implementation, integration, or field validation.
What topics are included under the Innovations section?
The Innovations section includes three topics: Topic 1 (Open Topic: energy efficiency solutions for residential and commercial buildings), Topic 2 (Human-in-the-loop sensor and control systems), and Topic 3 (Infiltration diagnostic technologies).
What is Topic 1 in the Innovations section?
Topic 1 is an open topic for energy efficiency solutions for residential and commercial buildings. It is designed as a broad entry point for novel ideas that may not fit into narrower subtopics but still have clear building energy impacts.
What is Topic 2 in the Innovations section?
Topic 2 targets human-in-the-loop sensor and control systems, emphasizing approaches that combine sensing, controls, and occupant interaction or behavior to improve building performance, comfort, or energy outcomes.
What is Topic 3 in the Innovations section?
Topic 3 focuses on infiltration diagnostic technologies, meaning tools or methods to detect, measure, or characterize unwanted air leakage in buildings. Improved diagnostics can support better retrofits, improved commissioning, and tighter building envelopes.
What topics are included under the Frontiers section?
The Frontiers section includes two later-stage topics: Topic 4 (Plug-and-play sensor systems) and Topic 5 (Advanced air-sealing technologies for existing buildings).
What is Topic 4 in the Frontiers section?
Topic 4 addresses plug-and-play sensor systems, aiming to reduce barriers by making sensors easier to install, configure, and integrate with existing building systems without extensive custom engineering.
What is Topic 5 in the Frontiers section?
Topic 5 targets advanced air-sealing technologies for existing buildings, focusing on scalable retrofit solutions that reduce envelope leakage under real-world conditions where access, labor time, and cost can limit results.
What is the optional BUILD supplement?
DOE included an optional Buildings University Innovators and Leaders Development (BUILD) supplement intended to build the talent pipeline and strengthen university engagement.
Can the BUILD supplement be submitted as a standalone application?
No. The BUILD supplement could not be submitted by itself. It had to be attached to an eligible main application under one of the program topics.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility was listed as unrestricted (open to any type of entity), subject to any clarifications provided in the full FOA text.
How many awards did DOE anticipate making?
DOE anticipated making around 10 awards.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The stated award ceiling was $2,000,000 per award.
When was the FOA posted?
The FOA was posted on December 15, 2015.
What was the application deadline?
The application deadline was April 18, 2016.
Where were the official FOA details and application package posted?
Full details, official guidance, and the application package were provided through the EERE eXCHANGE portal at https://eere-exchange.energy.gov.
How were applications required to be submitted?
Applications were required to be submitted through the EERE eXCHANGE system to be considered.
Do applicants need an account on EERE eXCHANGE?
Yes. Applicants needed to register and create an account in eXCHANGE. User documentation was available through the portal.
Were there any webinars to help applicants understand the opportunity?
Yes. DOE hosted an introductory webinar on December 21, 2015, and a full-application webinar on March 14, 2016, to walk potential applicants through the FOA structure, expectations, and submission requirements.
Where could applicants find instructions for submitting technical or process questions?
The FOA directed applicants to the full posting for the appropriate channels to submit technical questions about the announcement or practical questions about the submission process.
What kinds of projects was DOE trying to support through this FOA?
DOE aimed to support a range of building energy efficiency work, from early-stage feasibility and enabling technology development (Innovations) to later-stage, roadmap-aligned efforts closer to deployment and field validation (Frontiers), all focused on reducing energy use in residential and commercial buildings.
How does DOE describe its role under a cooperative agreement for this opportunity?
DOE indicated it anticipated substantial involvement during project execution, including elements such as technical direction, milestones, and active project management, which are typical under cooperative agreements.
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