Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0001135
Apply for DE FOA 0001135
- The National Energy Technology Laboratory in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Grand Challenges in Subsurface Engineering" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.089 Fossil Energy Research and Development.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 9, 2014 and posted on May 9, 2014.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 23, 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.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Grand Challenges in Subsurface Engineering opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number DE FOA 0001135) is a U.S. Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) request for information focused on identifying and shaping high-impact research directions in subsurface engineering as it relates to the nation s energy mission. Rather than being a traditional call for full project proposals, it is an RFI intended to gather input from stakeholders about the most important technical barriers, research needs, and potential game changing concepts for engineering in the subsurface. The goal of an RFI like this is typically to help the agency understand where the field is headed, what problems are most urgent, and how a future competitive funding program could be structured to address those needs.
The opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding and lists the anticipated funding instrument type as a cooperative agreement, which usually signals a more hands on partnership model between the federal agency and the awardee than a standard grant. In a cooperative agreement, DOE NETL generally expects substantial involvement during the performance of the work, such as collaboration on technical direction, data sharing expectations, milestone reviews, and coordination with related DOE efforts. Even though this posting is an RFI, the inclusion of cooperative agreement language provides a clue about the style of awards DOE may use if and when it later issues a full funding opportunity announcement based on the information collected here.
The activity category is Energy and the CFDA number is 81.089, Fossil Energy Research and Development, placing this topic within the umbrella of DOE programs that historically support research tied to fossil energy systems and associated subsurface challenges. In practical terms, subsurface engineering in this context often includes issues connected to characterization of underground formations, drilling and completion technologies, reservoir behavior, subsurface monitoring, geomechanics, permeability and flow through porous media, and the engineering problems that arise when working deep underground at high pressures and temperatures. It can also intersect with topics like carbon storage, enhanced recovery, unconventional resource development, and risk management for subsurface operations, depending on the technical scope DOE NETL is trying to inform.
Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning the RFI is open to any type of entity, subject to any clarifications that may appear in the full text under additional eligibility information. Unrestricted eligibility commonly allows participation from universities, national laboratories, private companies, state and local governments, non profits, and individuals or teams responding on behalf of an organization. No cost sharing or matching requirement is indicated for this RFI, which aligns with the fact that RFIs generally ask for input rather than requiring a committed cost share plan the way some applied research funding opportunities do.
Key dates show the opportunity was posted on May 9, 2014, with an original and current closing date of May 23, 2014. That short response window is typical for RFIs, where the agency is seeking concise, focused feedback within a defined period so it can incorporate that feedback into planning for future solicitations, workshops, roadmaps, or program strategies.
The announcement is issued by NETL, and the additional information link points to FedConnect, where the full RFI document and any instructions for submitting responses would be hosted. For access issues or questions about obtaining the announcement, the listed point of contact is Amanda Lopez, Contract Specialist, reachable through the email address SubsurfaceCrosscut@netl.doe.gov. In general, respondents would use the full document to confirm formatting requirements, page limits, preferred content (for example, technical challenge statements, research gaps, suggested approaches, or priorities), and any submission method rules.
Overall, this opportunity is best understood as DOE NETL taking the temperature of the community on what the next big subsurface engineering challenges are, what breakthroughs are needed to overcome them, and how DOE might design a future competitive program to accelerate progress. It is essentially an information gathering step that can influence future funding priorities and the eventual structure of subsequent FOAs that would solicit full applications for financial assistance awards.
FAQs: Grand Challenges in Subsurface Engineering (DE FOA 0001135)
What is the Grand Challenges in Subsurface Engineering opportunity (DE FOA 0001135)?
This opportunity is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) request for information (RFI) focused on identifying and shaping high-impact research directions in subsurface engineering tied to the nation's energy mission.
Is this a grant solicitation for full project proposals?
No. This posting is an RFI, not a traditional call for full project proposals. The purpose is to gather stakeholder input about key technical barriers, research needs, and potentially game-changing concepts in subsurface engineering.
What is the main goal of this RFI?
The goal is to help DOE NETL understand where the field is headed, what problems are most urgent, and how a future competitive funding program could be structured to address those needs.
What kind of input is DOE NETL looking for?
Based on the description provided, DOE NETL is seeking feedback on the most important technical barriers, research gaps, priority needs, and breakthrough concepts for engineering in the subsurface.
How might responses to this RFI be used by DOE NETL?
Responses can inform DOE planning for future solicitations, workshops, roadmaps, and program strategies, and may influence future funding priorities and the design of a later Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) that would request full applications.
What is the funding opportunity number for this RFI?
The Funding Opportunity Number is DE FOA 0001135.
Which DOE organization is issuing the RFI?
The RFI is issued by the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) within the U.S. Department of Energy.
What is the activity category for this opportunity?
The activity category is Energy.
What CFDA program is associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 81.089, Fossil Energy Research and Development.
What does it mean that the funding type is listed as discretionary?
It indicates the opportunity is part of a discretionary funding program (as opposed to an entitlement program). In this case, it is presented as an RFI intended to collect information rather than to make awards immediately.
Why does the posting mention a "cooperative agreement" if this is an RFI?
Even though this is an RFI, the anticipated funding instrument type is listed as a cooperative agreement. That suggests that if DOE later issues a full funding opportunity based on this RFI, awards may be structured as cooperative agreements, which typically involve substantial federal involvement during performance (for example, collaboration on technical direction, data sharing expectations, milestone reviews, and coordination with related DOE efforts).
What is a cooperative agreement in practical terms?
In DOE contexts, a cooperative agreement generally signals a more hands-on partnership model than a standard grant, with DOE NETL expecting substantial involvement during the work (such as coordination, reviews, and collaboration) rather than a fully independent performer model.
What technical areas can "subsurface engineering" include in this context?
The description indicates subsurface engineering here can include underground formation characterization, drilling and completion technologies, reservoir behavior, subsurface monitoring, geomechanics, permeability and flow through porous media, and engineering challenges of working at depth under high pressures and temperatures.
Does the scope potentially intersect with carbon storage or enhanced recovery?
Yes. The description notes it can intersect with topics such as carbon storage, enhanced recovery, unconventional resource development, and risk management for subsurface operations, depending on what NETL is trying to inform through the RFI.
Who is eligible to respond to this RFI?
Eligibility is listed as unrestricted. That generally means any type of entity may respond, subject to any clarifications that may appear in the full RFI text under additional eligibility information.
Does "unrestricted eligibility" include universities and companies?
Yes. Unrestricted eligibility commonly allows participation from universities, national laboratories, private companies, state and local governments, nonprofits, and individuals or teams responding on behalf of an organization (as applicable under the full RFI instructions).
Is cost sharing or matching required to respond?
No cost sharing or matching requirement is indicated for this RFI, which aligns with RFIs generally requesting input rather than requiring cost share commitments.
When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on May 9, 2014.
What is the closing date for submitting responses?
The original and current closing date listed is May 23, 2014.
Why is the response window so short?
A short response window is typical for RFIs, since agencies often want concise, focused feedback within a set period so they can incorporate it into near-term planning.
Where can the full RFI document and submission instructions be found?
The additional information link points to FedConnect, where the full RFI document and any instructions for submitting responses would be hosted.
Who should be contacted with questions or access issues?
The listed point of contact is Amanda Lopez, Contract Specialist. The contact email provided is SubsurfaceCrosscut@netl.doe.gov.
What kinds of submission rules might be included in the full RFI document?
The full document would typically confirm formatting requirements, page limits, preferred content (such as challenge statements, research gaps, suggested approaches, or priorities), and the allowed submission method(s).
Does submitting an RFI response guarantee future funding?
The information provided describes this as an information-gathering step to shape future program design; it does not describe any guarantee of funding tied to submitting an RFI response.
What is the overall purpose of DOE NETL issuing this RFI?
Overall, it is DOE NETL "taking the temperature" of the subsurface engineering community to identify the next big challenges, the breakthroughs needed to overcome them, and how DOE might design a future competitive program to accelerate progress.
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