Marine and Hydrokinetic (MHK) Environmental Effects Assessment and Monitoring | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this funding opportunity?

This opportunity is the Marine and Hydrokinetic (MHK) Environmental Effects Assessment and Monitoring funding opportunity, Funding Opportunity Number DE-FOA-0000816. It is a discretionary federal grant program run by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

Which DOE office is running the program?

DOE is administering the opportunity through the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), specifically the Wind and Water Power Technologies Office (WWPTO).

Is this opportunity connected to other federal programs or agencies?

Yes. The opportunity is issued in conjunction with the National Oceanographic Partnership Program (NOPP) and is closely coordinated with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM).

What is the main goal of the program?

The central goal is to improve the national evidence base on the potential environmental effects of marine and hydrokinetic (MHK) energy technologies.

What types of technologies are included under marine and hydrokinetic (MHK) energy?

MHK technologies include devices that generate electricity from waves, tides, currents, or river flows.

What kinds of activities is the funding intended to support?

The funding is intended to support real-world environmental monitoring and experimental data collection around MHK devices, as well as analyses that use existing datasets, to inform better decisions about siting, permitting, and responsible deployment.

Who is expected to benefit from the data and analyses produced under this opportunity?

The information generated is intended to help regulators, developers, and stakeholders make better-informed decisions related to siting, permitting, and responsible deployment of MHK technologies.

Is this notice a brand-new funding opportunity or an update to an existing one?

This notice is an amendment to an existing Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA). The changes are described as administrative and do not represent a shift in the program's purpose.

What changes were made in the amendment?

The amendment makes two main updates: (1) it updates the section identification where foreign waiver information appears (specifically in Section II, Award Information, and Section III, Eligibility Information), and (2) it instructs applicants to clearly identify the topic area they are applying under in two places within the application package: the Project Summary Abstract file and the Project Narrative file (both discussed in Section IV, Application and Submission Information).

Does the amendment change the program purpose or scope?

No. The amendment is described as administrative rather than a change in program purpose, and everything else in the FOA remains the same.

How can applicants find the revisions in the full FOA?

DOE indicates that revisions are highlighted in yellow in the full document to make them easier to identify.

Where does the FOA address foreign waiver information?

The amendment updates where foreign waiver information appears, specifically referencing Section II (Award Information) and Section III (Eligibility Information).

Where exactly must applicants identify the topic area in their application?

Applicants must clearly identify the topic area in two files: the Project Summary Abstract file and the Project Narrative file.

What is the funding activity area for this opportunity?

The opportunity is categorized under the Energy funding activity area.

What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is tied to CFDA 81.087, Renewable Energy Research and Development.

What type of funding instrument is being used?

The funding instrument is a grant.

Is cost sharing required?

Yes. Cost sharing is required, meaning applicants should expect to contribute a portion of total project costs from non-federal sources, consistent with the FOA rules.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning it is generally open to a wide range of applicant types, subject to any additional eligibility conditions that may be described in the full FOA text.

When was this opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted on March 19, 2013.

What is the application deadline?

The application deadline is May 16, 2013. The original and current closing dates match.

Which DOE office is listed as the administering office?

The administering office listed is the Golden Field Office.

Where can I find the funding amounts (total funding, award ceiling, award floor)?

The summary record shows estimated total funding, award ceiling, and award floor as 0. Those fields can appear as 0 in brief listings, so applicants typically need to consult the full FOA for actual funding amounts, the number of expected awards, and guidance on project size.

How do applicants submit an application?

Applications must be submitted electronically through the EERE eXCHANGE system at https://eere-exchange.energy.gov.

Do applicants need to register before submitting?

Yes. Applicants need to register and create an account in EERE eXCHANGE before submitting an application.

Is there a user guide for the EERE eXCHANGE system?

Yes. DOE points applicants to the EERE eXCHANGE user guide, available after logging in, at https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/Manuals.aspx.

Who should I contact for access issues or help obtaining the full announcement?

For access issues or help obtaining the full announcement, the listed point of contact is the Environmental Assessment FOA mailbox at EnvironmentalAssessmentFOA@go.doe.gov.