Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0000841
Apply for DE FOA 0000841
- The Golden Field Office in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Geothermal Play Fairway Analysis" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.087 Renewable Energy Research and Development.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jan 24, 2014 and posted on Jan 24, 2014.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 11, 2014. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- 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.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The Geothermal Play Fairway Analysis funding opportunity (DE-FOA-0000841) was a U.S. Department of Energy solicitation, administered through the Golden Field Office under the Geothermal Technologies Office (GTO), focused on lowering the cost and risk of geothermal power development by improving drilling success rates. The central idea is straightforward: geothermal projects often struggle to secure financing because drilling is expensive and uncertain, so anything that can better predict where commercially viable heat, permeability, and fluids exist can reduce the chance of drilling unproductive wells. This opportunity sought projects that strengthen the front end of geothermal exploration so that developers can make better-informed drilling decisions.
The program emphasis was on advancing the scientific and technical basis for identifying geothermal-favorable areas by improving knowledge of geological, geophysical, and geochemical indicators. In practice, that means proposals were expected to either collect new subsurface or surface data using innovative exploration technologies, or apply new and improved analysis methods to existing datasets to extract additional value. The solicitation highlighted that the most useful datasets are those that serve as clear signatures of the three properties that control geothermal viability: temperature (how much usable heat is present), permeability (whether fluids can move through rock at meaningful rates), and fluid (whether there is adequate fluid presence and circulation to carry heat). Applicants were encouraged to integrate multiple lines of evidence rather than rely on a single measurement type, because geothermal systems are controlled by complex interactions among structure, rock properties, and hydrothermal circulation.
A key requirement was that proposed work should target one of the regions identified in GTOs Data Gap Analysis, meaning the government had already evaluated where important exploration data were missing or insufficient and wanted applicants to close those gaps. Beyond generating maps or interpretations, the solicitation placed strong weight on uncertainty analysis. Projects were expected to quantify uncertainty in a way that directly shows how the work could increase exploration confidence and, ideally, improve real-world drilling success rates. In other words, it was not enough to claim a method was better; teams needed to show, with defensible analysis, how the approach changes decision-making and reduces the probability of expensive exploration mistakes.
The intended deliverable from a successful project was the development of a Geothermal Play Fairway for a specific region. A play fairway is essentially a constrained geographic area defined by a favorable combination of structural and hydrological conditions, supported by integrated datasets and interpretation. It is meant to highlight where geothermal development is most promising by narrowing down broad regions into prioritized corridors, trends, or zones where the intersection of heat, permeability pathways (often fault and fracture systems), and fluid circulation is most likely. The practical outcome is a more actionable exploration roadmap for industry and other stakeholders, improving the odds that subsequent drilling targets will be productive.
Administratively, the opportunity was listed as discretionary funding and allowed several funding instrument types, including cooperative agreements, grants, and other mechanisms, under the DOE renewable energy research and development CFDA number 81.087. Eligibility was described as unrestricted, meaning it was broadly open to different entity types, subject to any additional clarifications in the full announcement. Cost sharing or matching was required, signaling DOE expected recipients to contribute non-federal resources and maintain a shared stake in project outcomes. The announcement was posted on January 24, 2014, with an application deadline of April 11, 2014, and it was later archived on July 11, 2014. The public listing did not specify an award ceiling, floor, or an estimated total funding amount, implying applicants needed to rely on the full FOA details for budget expectations and award structure.
For access and support, the announcement pointed applicants to the EERE Exchange portal and provided a grants management contact (Andrew Rittgers) via playfairway@go.doe.gov, along with a note that content-related questions could be directed through the channels described in the full FOA. Overall, the opportunity was designed to push geothermal exploration toward more data-driven, uncertainty-aware targeting, with the explicit goal of translating better science and better analytics into fewer failed wells and more financeable geothermal projects.
Geothermal Play Fairway Analysis (DE-FOA-0000841) - FAQs
What is the Geothermal Play Fairway Analysis funding opportunity (DE-FOA-0000841)?
It was a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) solicitation administered through the Golden Field Office under the Geothermal Technologies Office (GTO). The focus was to lower the cost and risk of geothermal power development by improving drilling success rates through better, more reliable geothermal exploration targeting.
What problem was this funding opportunity trying to solve?
Geothermal projects often face financing challenges because exploration drilling is expensive and uncertain. If developers drill in the wrong place, the result can be unproductive wells and major sunk costs. This opportunity aimed to improve the front end of geothermal exploration so developers can make better-informed drilling decisions and reduce the chance of drilling failures.
What was the main goal of the program?
The main goal was to advance the scientific and technical basis for identifying geothermal-favorable areas, so exploration decisions become more data-driven and less uncertain, ultimately increasing the likelihood of successful wells.
What kinds of projects were expected to be competitive?
Projects were expected to either (1) collect new subsurface or surface data using innovative exploration technologies, or (2) apply new or improved analysis methods to existing datasets to extract additional value. In both cases, proposals were expected to strengthen the early stages of geothermal exploration and targeting.
What types of geothermal indicators did the solicitation emphasize?
The solicitation emphasized improving knowledge of geological, geophysical, and geochemical indicators. The most useful datasets were described as those that provide clear signatures of the three key properties that control geothermal viability: temperature, permeability, and fluid.
What are the three key properties that control geothermal viability in this FOA?
The FOA highlighted three properties: (1) temperature (usable heat), (2) permeability (whether fluids can move through rock at meaningful rates), and (3) fluid (adequate fluid presence and circulation to carry heat).
Did DOE expect applicants to use a single dataset or multiple datasets?
Applicants were encouraged to integrate multiple lines of evidence rather than rely on a single measurement type, because geothermal systems depend on complex interactions among structure, rock properties, and hydrothermal circulation.
Was there a geographic targeting requirement for proposed work?
Yes. A key requirement was that proposed work should target one of the regions identified in GTO's Data Gap Analysis, reflecting areas where DOE had already determined that important exploration data were missing or insufficient and needed to be improved.
What is meant by GTO's "Data Gap Analysis" in this context?
Based on the public description, it refers to a GTO effort to identify regions where geothermal exploration data were missing or not sufficient. The FOA required that project work target one of those identified regions to help close those gaps.
What role did uncertainty analysis play in this funding opportunity?
Uncertainty analysis was heavily emphasized. Projects were expected to quantify uncertainty in a way that shows how the work would increase exploration confidence and, ideally, improve real-world drilling success rates. It was not enough to claim an approach was better; teams needed defensible analysis showing how decision-making would improve and how expensive exploration mistakes would be less likely.
What did DOE mean by improving "drilling success rates"?
In this FOA's framing, improving drilling success rates means increasing the likelihood that subsequent drilling targets will be productive by using better integrated data, better interpretation, and explicit uncertainty quantification to guide where developers drill.
What was the intended deliverable of a successful project?
The intended deliverable was the development of a Geothermal Play Fairway for a specific region.
What is a "Geothermal Play Fairway"?
A play fairway is a constrained geographic area defined by a favorable combination of structural and hydrological conditions, supported by integrated datasets and interpretation. It is meant to narrow broad regions into prioritized corridors, trends, or zones where the intersection of heat, permeability pathways (often faults and fractures), and fluid circulation is most likely.
How is a play fairway intended to be used in practice?
It is intended to be an actionable exploration roadmap that helps industry and other stakeholders prioritize where geothermal development is most promising, with the practical aim of improving the odds that later drilling targets will succeed.
Which DOE office administered this solicitation?
It was administered through DOE's Golden Field Office under the Geothermal Technologies Office (GTO).
What kind of funding was this (discretionary vs. mandatory)?
The opportunity was listed as discretionary funding.
What funding instrument types were allowed?
The listing indicated several possible funding instrument types, including cooperative agreements, grants, and other mechanisms.
What CFDA program number was associated with this opportunity?
It was associated with DOE renewable energy research and development under CFDA 81.087.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility was described as unrestricted, meaning it was broadly open to different entity types, subject to any additional clarifications provided in the full announcement.
Was cost sharing or matching required?
Yes. Cost sharing or matching was required, indicating DOE expected recipients to contribute non-federal resources and share in the project stake and outcomes.
Were award amounts or total available funding published in the public listing?
No. The public listing did not specify an award ceiling, award floor, or an estimated total funding amount. Applicants were expected to rely on the full FOA for budget expectations and award structure.
When was the FOA posted and when were applications due?
The announcement was posted on January 24, 2014, and the application deadline was April 11, 2014.
Is this opportunity still active?
No. The announcement was later archived on July 11, 2014.
Where were applicants directed to apply or access the opportunity?
The announcement pointed applicants to the EERE Exchange portal for access and submission-related actions.
Who was the grants management contact listed for this opportunity?
The listing provided a grants management contact: Andrew Rittgers, reachable via playfairway@go.doe.gov.
How were content-related questions supposed to be handled?
The announcement noted that content-related questions could be directed through the channels described in the full FOA.
What does "lowering cost and risk" mean in the context of this FOA?
It refers to reducing the financial and technical uncertainty that comes from expensive, uncertain drilling by improving the ability to predict where commercially viable heat, permeability, and fluids exist before drilling begins.
What did DOE consider a strong technical approach for exploration targeting?
Based on the description, a strong approach would combine improved data collection or improved analytical methods with integrated interpretation across multiple datasets, and include clear uncertainty quantification that demonstrates better exploration decision-making.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Energy
Next opportunity: Natural Resource and Maintenance Training and Education for Local Offenders in the Willamette Valley, Oregon
Previous opportunity: Healthy Communities, Tobacco Control, Diabetes Prevention and Control, and Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
USGrants.org Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for DE FOA 0000841
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (DE FOA 0000841) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| U.S. Wind Manufacturing Taller Hub Heights to Access Higher Wind Resources and Lower Cost of Energy Apply for DE FOA 0000982 Funding Number: DE FOA 0000982 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DE FOA 0000996 RENEWABLE CARBON FIBERS Apply for DE FOA 0000996 Funding Number: DE FOA 0000996 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Building Energy Efficiency Frontiers and Incubator Technologies (BENEFIT) 2014 Apply for DE FOA 0001027 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001027 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Low Temperature Geothermal Mineral Recovery Program Apply for DE FOA 0001016 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001016 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Notice of Intent to Issue Funding Opportunity Announcement Bioenergy Technologies Incubator (No. DE FOA 0000974) Apply for DE FOA 0001020 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001020 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Notice of Intent to Issue Funding Opportunity Announcement No. DE FOA 0000984 Wind Forecasting Improvement Project in Complex Terrain Apply for DE FOA 0001049 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001049 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Notice of Intent to Issue Funding Opportunity Announcement DE FOA 0001084 Commercial Building Technology Demonstrations Apply for DE FOA 0001083 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001083 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Improved Reliability of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Systems Apply for DE FOA 0001058 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001058 Agency: National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NOTICE OF INTENT TO ISSUE FUNDING OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT DE FOA 0000890 Apply for DE FOA 0001091 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001091 Agency: National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Integrated Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) Research and Development Apply for DE FOA 0000842 Funding Number: DE FOA 0000842 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Bioenergy Technologies Incubator Apply for DE FOA 0000974 Funding Number: DE FOA 0000974 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Clean Energy Manufacturing Innovation Institute for Composite Materials and Structures Apply for DE FOA 0000977 Funding Number: DE FOA 0000977 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: $70,000,000 |
| DE FOA 0001084 COMMERCIAL BUILDING TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATIONS Apply for DE FOA 0001084 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001084 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Notice of Intent Funding Opportunity Announcement Fuel Cell Technologies Incubator Innovations in Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Fuels Technologies Apply for DE FOA 0001094 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001094 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Request for Information (RFI) High Impact Commercial Building Technology Deployment Apply for DE FOA 0001086 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001086 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Environmental Stewardship for Renewable Energy Technologies MHK Environmental and Resource Characterization Instrumentation Apply for DE FOA 0000971 Funding Number: DE FOA 0000971 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Administration of the Wave Energy Converter Prize Apply for DE FOA 0000979 Funding Number: DE FOA 0000979 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| FY 2014 OIA Empowering Insular Communities Program Apply for OIA 2014 EIC Funding Number: OIA 2014 EIC Agency: Department of the Interior Category: Energy Funding Amount: $2,971,000 |
| Notice of Intent to Issue Funding Opportunity Announcement No. DE FOA 0000978 Technology Incubator for Wind Energy Innovations Apply for DE FOA 0001047 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001047 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| FY2014 Methane Hydrates Apply for DE FOA 0001023 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001023 Agency: National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Subscribe to Leads
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "DE FOA 0000841", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.