Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0001058
Apply for DE FOA 0001058
- The National Energy Technology Laboratory in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Improved Reliability of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Systems" 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 Mar 10, 2014 and posted on Feb 14, 2014.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 31, 2014. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $15,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 3 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.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The funding opportunity titled "Improved Reliability of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Systems" (Funding Opportunity Number DE FOA 0001058) is a U.S. Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) discretionary grant competition focused on applied research and development aimed at making solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) systems more reliable and lower in cost. The core objective is to support projects that push SOFC technology toward practical, durable operation by addressing reliability limitations that can drive up maintenance needs, shorten system life, or reduce performance over time. In plain terms, the government is looking to fund R and D that helps SOFC systems run longer, more predictably, and more economically, which is a critical step for broader commercial adoption in energy applications.
This announcement will use cooperative agreements as the funding instrument, which typically means NETL expects a more hands-on partnership than a traditional grant, with substantial federal involvement during the project. The opportunity sits under the Energy funding activity category and is associated with CFDA 81.089 (Fossil Energy Research and Development). The total estimated funding available is $15,000,000, with an expectation of making about three awards, indicating a relatively competitive process where only a small number of projects will be selected and funded at meaningful scale. The listing shows no specified award ceiling or floor, which often signals that award size may be determined by project scope, merit, and available funding rather than a strict per-project cap.
Applicants are listed as "Unrestricted," meaning the competition is broadly open to a wide range of entity types (for example, companies, universities, nonprofits, national labs, or teams/consortia), as long as they meet any requirements or clarifications contained in the full announcement. A cost sharing requirement applies, so selected recipients will need to contribute a portion of total project costs from non-federal sources; this is common for applied R and D programs intended to accelerate technologies that have a pathway to commercialization or deployment.
Key dates included a posted date of February 14, 2014, with the original and current closing date both listed as March 31, 2014. The announcement also notes an Amendment 000002, and the stated purpose of that amendment is to add additional Program Policy Factors under the Merit Review Criteria. In practice, that means the evaluation framework was updated so that, beyond the technical merit and other standard review elements, additional policy-oriented considerations would be applied when judging proposals. The announcement directs applicants to consult the yellow highlighted changes on page 43 of the full FOA to understand what was added and how those factors could influence selection.
For access and administrative support, the opportunity references an Additional Information link via FedConnect, and provides a point of contact for applicants who cannot access the full announcement electronically: Sheldon E. Funk, Contract Specialist at NETL (304-285-0204, sheldon.funk@netl.doe.gov). This contact detail is primarily for solicitation access and related administrative issues rather than technical questions, but it is the official support channel listed in the source information.
FAQs: Improved Reliability of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Systems (DE FOA 0001058)
What is the title and funding opportunity number for this grant?
The opportunity is titled "Improved Reliability of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Systems" and the Funding Opportunity Number is DE FOA 0001058.
Which agency is offering this opportunity?
This is a U.S. Department of Energy opportunity administered through the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL).
What type of funding opportunity is this?
It is a NETL discretionary grant competition focused on applied research and development (R&D).
What is the main purpose of the program?
The core objective is to fund applied R&D that improves the reliability of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) systems and helps lower their cost, supporting more practical and durable operation.
What kinds of problems is DOE/NETL trying to solve through this FOA?
The FOA targets reliability limitations that can increase maintenance needs, shorten system life, or reduce performance over time. In general, the goal is to help SOFC systems run longer, more predictably, and more economically.
What technology area does this opportunity focus on?
The focus is on solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) systems, specifically R&D aimed at improving system reliability and reducing cost.
What is the funding instrument for awards under this opportunity?
The announcement states that awards will use cooperative agreements.
What does it mean that the award instrument is a cooperative agreement?
Cooperative agreements typically involve substantial federal involvement, meaning NETL expects a more hands-on partnership during the project than would be typical for a traditional grant.
What funding activity category does this opportunity fall under?
The funding activity category is Energy.
What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA 81.089, Fossil Energy Research and Development.
How much total funding is expected to be available?
The total estimated funding available is $15,000,000.
About how many awards does DOE/NETL expect to make?
The listing indicates an expectation of about three awards.
Is there an award ceiling (maximum) or award floor (minimum) listed?
No. The listing shows no specified award ceiling or award floor, which suggests award size may depend on project scope, merit, and available funding rather than a fixed per-project cap.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed as "Unrestricted," meaning the competition is broadly open to a wide range of entity types, as long as applicants meet any requirements described in the full announcement.
Does "Unrestricted" eligibility mean any organization can apply?
"Unrestricted" indicates broad eligibility (for example, companies, universities, nonprofits, national labs, or teams/consortia). Applicants still need to comply with the requirements and any clarifications in the full FOA.
Is cost sharing required?
Yes. The opportunity includes a cost sharing requirement, so selected recipients must contribute a portion of total project costs from non-federal sources.
What are the key dates for this FOA?
The posted date is February 14, 2014. The original closing date is March 31, 2014, and the current closing date is also listed as March 31, 2014.
Was the FOA amended, and what changed?
Yes. The announcement notes Amendment 000002. The stated purpose is to add additional Program Policy Factors under the Merit Review Criteria, meaning the evaluation framework was updated to include additional policy-oriented considerations.
Where can applicants find details about the amendment changes?
Applicants are directed to consult the yellow highlighted changes on page 43 of the full FOA to see what was added and understand how those factors may influence selection.
How will proposals be evaluated?
Proposals will be evaluated using Merit Review Criteria. The FOA was amended to add additional Program Policy Factors under those criteria, so applicants should review the updated criteria in the full FOA.
Where is the full funding opportunity announcement available?
The opportunity references an Additional Information link via FedConnect for access and administrative support.
Who should be contacted if an applicant cannot access the full announcement electronically?
The FOA lists Sheldon E. Funk, Contract Specialist at NETL, as the point of contact for applicants who cannot access the full announcement electronically.
What is the contact information for the listed NETL point of contact?
Sheldon E. Funk, Contract Specialist (NETL). Phone: 304-285-0204. Email: sheldon.funk@netl.doe.gov.
What kinds of questions is the listed contact intended to help with?
Based on the provided information, the contact is primarily for solicitation access and related administrative issues (especially for those unable to access the full announcement electronically), rather than technical questions.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Energy
Next opportunity: 2014 NRCS Iowa CIG
Previous opportunity: FY2014 Funding Opportunity Announcement for NGO programs benefiting Afghan Returnees and IDPs in Afghanistan and Afghan Refugees in Pakistan
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 0001058
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (DE FOA 0001058) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| 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 |
| Notice of Intent to Issue Funding Opportunity Announcement Number DE FOA 0001073 Apply for DE FOA 0001105 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001105 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Notice of Intent to Issue Funding Opportunity Announcement titled MHK RD University Consortium Apply for DE FOA 0001103 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001103 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Notice of Intent to Issue Funding Opportunity Announcement No. DE FOA 0001006 Water Power Manufacturing Apply for DE FOA 0001066 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001066 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Notice Of Intent for Alternative Fuel Vehicle Deployment Initiatives Apply for DE FOA 0001097 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001097 Agency: National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Technology Incubator for Wind Energy Innovations Apply for DE FOA 0000978 Funding Number: DE FOA 0000978 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Wind Forecasting Improvement Project in Complex Terrain Apply for DE FOA 0000984 Funding Number: DE FOA 0000984 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Notice of Intent to Issue Funding Opportunity Annoucement Biological and Chemical Upgrading for Advanced Biofuels and Products (No. DE FOA 0001085) Apply for DE FOA 0001104 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001104 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Call for Partnership Concept Papers in Support of Power Africa Initiative under Existing Global Development Alliance Annual Program Statement APS No..APS OAA 14 000001 Apply for RFA 623 14 000002 Funding Number: RFA 623 14 000002 Agency: East Africa USAID Kenya Category: Energy Funding Amount: $7,500,000 |
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 0001058", 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.
