Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0000356

  • The Oak Ridge Office in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Innovation Ecosystem Development Initiative" and is now available to receive applicants.
  • Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.036 Inventions and Innovations.
  • This funding opportunity was created on May 21, 2010 and posted on May 21, 2010.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 9, 2010. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
  • The funding agency has allocated a total of $2,100,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
  • Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,050,000.00 in funding.
  • The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 2 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.
  • All type of entities are eligible to apply except other Federal agencies and nonprofit organizations described in section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that engaged in lobbying activities after December 31, 1995.
Apply for DE FOA 0000356

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Opportunity Summary:

The Innovation Ecosystem Development Initiative (Funding Opportunity Number DE-FOA-0000356) is a discretionary U.S. Department of Energy grant opportunity administered through the Oak Ridge Office. Its central purpose is to create or strengthen an "innovation ecosystem" that helps move promising energy technologies more quickly from the lab or early development stages into real-world commercial markets. In practical terms, the opportunity is aimed at building the surrounding conditions that make innovation easier to translate into deployable products and services, such as stronger connections between inventors, entrepreneurs, investors, manufacturers, and end users, along with the support structures that help technologies progress through prototyping, validation, scale-up, and adoption.

The program anticipates making 2 awards, with an estimated total funding amount of $2,100,000. Individual awards are capped at $1,050,000 (the award ceiling), meaning each selected project could receive up to that amount depending on merit, scope, and budget. The funding instrument is a grant, and the funding activity category is Energy. The associated CFDA number is 81.036 (Inventions and Innovations), which signals that the initiative sits within DOE efforts to encourage technology advancement and practical innovation outcomes rather than purely academic research.

A cost sharing or matching requirement applies, so applicants should expect that DOE funding will need to be complemented by non-federal contributions. While the specific match percentage and allowable forms of cost share are typically detailed in the full announcement, the presence of this requirement generally indicates DOE is looking for applicants who can demonstrate strong stakeholder buy-in and leverage additional resources (cash or allowable in-kind support) to extend the federal investment and improve the odds of market impact.

Eligibility is broadly open ("unrestricted") to most entity types, with two key exclusions: other federal agencies cannot apply, and certain nonprofit organizations are excluded, specifically 501(c)(4) organizations that have engaged in lobbying activities after December 31, 1995. Aside from those restrictions, the opportunity is designed to be accessible to a wide range of potential applicants, which commonly includes universities, national-lab partners (in eligible roles), state and local entities, tribal governments, nonprofit organizations (outside the excluded category), and private-sector firms, provided they meet the solicitation's detailed requirements.

Timing details show the opportunity was posted and created on May 21, 2010, with an application deadline of July 9, 2010 (original and current closing date both listed as July 9, 2010). The announcement points applicants to FedConnect for access to the full application package and complete requirements. For help obtaining the announcement electronically, the listed contact is Rashel L. Schultz, Contract Specialist, at 865-576-7814 or SchultzR@oro.doe.gov.

Overall, this funding opportunity is best understood as an investment in the infrastructure and partnerships that make energy innovation commercially successful. Rather than focusing only on a single technology demonstration, it emphasizes building or enhancing the broader system that repeatedly helps innovations reach the market faster and more effectively, supported by federal funding that must be matched with non-federal contributions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Innovation Ecosystem Development Initiative (DE-FOA-0000356)

What is the Innovation Ecosystem Development Initiative?

The Innovation Ecosystem Development Initiative is a discretionary U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number DE-FOA-0000356) administered through the Oak Ridge Office. Its purpose is to create or strengthen an "innovation ecosystem" that helps promising energy technologies move more quickly from early development into real-world commercial markets.

What does DOE mean by an "innovation ecosystem" in this opportunity?

In this context, an innovation ecosystem refers to the surrounding conditions and support structures that make it easier to translate innovation into deployable products and services. The opportunity emphasizes stronger connections among inventors, entrepreneurs, investors, manufacturers, and end users, plus the supports needed for technologies to move through prototyping, validation, scale-up, and adoption.

What is the main goal of this funding opportunity?

The main goal is to improve the pathways that consistently help energy technologies reach commercial markets faster and more effectively. The focus is on building or enhancing infrastructure, partnerships, and processes that accelerate commercialization rather than funding only a single technology demonstration.

Which federal agency is offering and administering this grant?

The grant opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and is administered through the Oak Ridge Office.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this program?

The Funding Opportunity Number is DE-FOA-0000356.

What type of funding instrument is used?

The funding instrument is a grant.

What is the funding activity category?

The funding activity category is Energy.

How much funding is expected to be available in total?

The program anticipates an estimated total funding amount of $2,100,000.

How many awards does DOE expect to make?

DOE anticipates making 2 awards.

What is the maximum award amount for a single project?

Individual awards are capped at $1,050,000 (the award ceiling). Each selected project could receive up to that amount depending on merit, scope, and budget.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

Yes. A cost sharing or matching requirement applies, meaning DOE funding must be complemented by non-federal contributions.

What does the cost share requirement imply for applicants?

Based on the information provided, it implies applicants should be prepared to demonstrate stakeholder buy-in and the ability to leverage additional resources (cash or allowable in-kind support) to extend the federal investment and improve the odds of market impact. The specific match percentage and allowable forms of cost share are typically detailed in the full announcement.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broadly open ("unrestricted") to most entity types, with two key exclusions described in the announcement. The opportunity is intended to be accessible to a wide range of potential applicants, including universities, national-lab partners (in eligible roles), state and local entities, tribal governments, nonprofit organizations (outside the excluded category), and private-sector firms, provided they meet the detailed requirements of the solicitation.

Who is not eligible to apply?

Two exclusions are explicitly noted: (1) other federal agencies cannot apply, and (2) certain nonprofit organizations are excluded, specifically 501(c)(4) organizations that have engaged in lobbying activities after December 31, 1995.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The associated CFDA number is 81.036 (Inventions and Innovations).

What does CFDA 81.036 indicate about the program focus?

CFDA 81.036 (Inventions and Innovations) signals that the initiative fits within DOE efforts to encourage technology advancement and practical innovation outcomes, with an emphasis on moving innovations toward real-world use rather than purely academic research.

When was this funding opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted and created on May 21, 2010.

What is the application deadline?

The application deadline is July 9, 2010. The original and current closing date are both listed as July 9, 2010.

Where can applicants access the full announcement and application package?

The announcement directs applicants to FedConnect to access the full application package and complete requirements.

Who should be contacted for help obtaining the announcement electronically?

The listed contact is Rashel L. Schultz, Contract Specialist. Phone: 865-576-7814. Email: SchultzR@oro.doe.gov.

Does this opportunity fund only one technology demonstration project?

The description emphasizes building or enhancing the broader system that repeatedly helps innovations reach the market, rather than focusing only on a single technology demonstration.

What kinds of connections or partnerships does this initiative aim to strengthen?

It aims to strengthen connections among inventors, entrepreneurs, investors, manufacturers, and end users, and to build support structures that help technologies advance through prototyping, validation, scale-up, and adoption.

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