Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0000089
Apply for DE FOA 0000089
- The Golden Field Office in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Minority University Research Associate Program" 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 Jul 10, 2009 and posted on Jun 11, 2009.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 4, 2009. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $300,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- This is a restricted eligibility. In accordance with 10 CFR 600.6(b), eligibility for award is restricted to accredited, domestic colleges and universities defined as Minority Serving Institutions (Section 365(3) the Higher Education Act (HEA) (20 U.S.C. 1067k(3))). The list of eligible Minority Serving Institutions can be found at http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/edlite minorityinst list tab.html.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Minority University Research Associate Program (Funding Opportunity Number DE-FOA-0000089) is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) discretionary grant opportunity administered through the DOE Golden Field Office. It sits under CFDA 81.087, Renewable Energy Research and Development, and is focused specifically on advancing solar energy research while expanding participation by Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) in federally supported research programs. The opportunity is tied to broader federal goals around equal opportunity in higher education and building the research and training capacity of institutions that serve historically underrepresented populations.
Eligibility is restricted. Only accredited, domestic colleges and universities that meet the definition of a Minority Serving Institution under Section 365(3) of the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1067k(3)) are allowed to apply, consistent with 10 CFR 600.6(b). DOE points applicants to the U.S. Department of Education listing of eligible MSIs for confirmation. Because eligibility is limited, institutions that do not meet the MSI definition should treat the program as non-applicable, even if they have strong technical capabilities in solar or energy research.
The main purpose of the awards is to support teams made up of undergraduate and graduate students and their faculty advisors, enabling them to conduct research aligned with the DOE Solar Energy Technologies Program. The FOA emphasizes building hands-on research experience and strengthening institutional research programs while contributing to DOE-relevant technical areas. The research scope includes photovoltaics, concentrating solar power, solar systems integration, and solar market transformation. In practical terms, this means DOE is looking for projects that either improve solar technology performance and cost, address integration and deployment barriers, or support the market and systems-level work needed to expand solar adoption.
Award funding is provided as grants, with an award ceiling listed at $300,000 and an award floor of $0. The FOA indicates that cost sharing or matching is required, so applicants should be prepared to document a cost share commitment consistent with the announcement instructions. Key dates in the public listing show it was posted June 11, 2009, with a current closing date of August 4, 2009 (the original closing date was July 13, 2009), and an archive date of December 11, 2009. Applicants should rely on the full announcement in FedConnect for authoritative deadlines, required forms, page limits, and submission rules.
Submission is centered on FedConnect. DOE directs applicants to find the complete Funding Opportunity Announcement by going to FedConnect (fedconnect.net), using the public opportunity search, and filtering by Issuing Office "Golden Field Office" to locate the correct announcement. Applications must be submitted through FedConnect under the specific announcement to be considered, with one important exception: organizations with system-to-system submission capabilities with Grants.gov (often universities) may continue submitting through those established systems, and DOE will accept those applications via Grants.gov for consideration. Even with that exception, the FOA language makes it clear that applicants must follow the exact instructions in the announcement, because process mistakes can make an otherwise strong proposal ineligible.
Registration and system prerequisites are a major practical component of this opportunity. To submit through FedConnect, an applicant must be registered in FedConnect and have a DUNS number (including any plus-4 extension if applicable) and an active Central Contractor Registration (CCR) account; first-time FedConnect company account setup may also require the CCR MPIN. The announcement advises organizations to allow at least 21 days to complete CCR and FedConnect registration if they are not already set up, and it notes that CCR registrations must be renewed annually. (In today’s environment, CCR has been replaced by SAM.gov, but the summary here reflects what is written in the original FOA listing.)
The FOA also explains how questions are handled. Content questions must be submitted through the FedConnect portal, and institutions need to register in FedConnect as an interested party to submit questions and to see DOE’s posted responses. DOE indicates it will try to respond within about three business days unless the answer is already posted. Technical issues with the FedConnect submission process are directed to FedConnect Support (support@fedconnect.net and the listed support phone number), while an agency contact is also provided (Nancy Kiyota, nancy.kiyota@go.doe.gov) for opportunity-related matters, with the caveat that the official Q-and-A process runs through FedConnect.
In short, this program is designed to channel DOE solar R&D funding to Minority Serving Institutions, specifically to support faculty-mentored student research in core solar technology and deployment areas. Success depends not only on a strong solar research plan and a credible student training approach, but also on careful compliance with the FedConnect-based FOA instructions, required registrations, and the cost-sharing requirement.
Minority University Research Associate Program (DE-FOA-0000089) - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Minority University Research Associate Program (DE-FOA-0000089)?
The Minority University Research Associate Program is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) discretionary grant opportunity administered through the DOE Golden Field Office. It is associated with CFDA 81.087 (Renewable Energy Research and Development) and is focused on advancing solar energy research while expanding participation by Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) in federally supported research programs.
Which DOE office is administering this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is administered through the DOE Golden Field Office.
What is the CFDA number for this program?
The CFDA number listed for this opportunity is 81.087, Renewable Energy Research and Development.
What is the main purpose of the awards?
The awards are intended to support teams of undergraduate and graduate students and their faculty advisors so they can conduct research aligned with the DOE Solar Energy Technologies Program. The FOA emphasizes hands-on research experience, strengthening institutional research programs, and contributing to DOE-relevant solar technical areas.
What types of institutions are eligible to apply?
Eligibility is restricted to accredited, domestic colleges and universities that meet the definition of a Minority Serving Institution (MSI) under Section 365(3) of the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1067k(3)), consistent with 10 CFR 600.6(b).
How can an institution confirm whether it qualifies as an MSI for this program?
DOE points applicants to the U.S. Department of Education listing of eligible MSIs for confirmation.
Can a non-MSI institution apply if it has strong solar or energy research capabilities?
No. Because eligibility is limited to MSIs, institutions that do not meet the MSI definition should treat the program as non-applicable even if they have strong technical capabilities in solar or energy research.
What research topics and technical areas does the FOA support?
The research scope includes photovoltaics, concentrating solar power, solar systems integration, and solar market transformation. More broadly, DOE is looking for projects that improve solar technology performance and cost, address integration and deployment barriers, or support market and systems-level work needed to expand solar adoption.
What type of funding instrument is used for awards?
Award funding is provided as grants.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling listed is $300,000.
What is the minimum award amount (award floor)?
The award floor is listed as $0.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
Yes. The FOA indicates that cost sharing or matching is required, so applicants should be prepared to document a cost share commitment consistent with the announcement instructions.
Where should applicants look for the official FOA and authoritative instructions?
Applicants should rely on the full announcement in FedConnect for authoritative deadlines, required forms, page limits, and submission rules.
How do applicants find the full announcement on FedConnect?
DOE directs applicants to go to FedConnect (fedconnect.net), use the public opportunity search, and filter by Issuing Office "Golden Field Office" to locate the correct announcement.
How must applications be submitted?
Applications must be submitted through FedConnect under the specific announcement to be considered.
Is there any exception that allows submission through Grants.gov?
Yes. Organizations with system-to-system submission capabilities with Grants.gov (often universities) may continue submitting through those established systems, and DOE will accept those applications via Grants.gov for consideration.
If an organization submits through Grants.gov using system-to-system capabilities, do the FOA instructions still apply?
Yes. The FOA language emphasizes that applicants must follow the exact instructions in the announcement, because process mistakes can make an otherwise strong proposal ineligible.
What registrations or identifiers are needed to submit through FedConnect?
To submit through FedConnect, an applicant must be registered in FedConnect and have a DUNS number (including any plus-4 extension if applicable) and an active Central Contractor Registration (CCR) account. First-time FedConnect company account setup may also require the CCR MPIN.
How long should organizations plan for registration and setup?
The announcement advises organizations to allow at least 21 days to complete CCR and FedConnect registration if they are not already set up.
Does the registration need ongoing maintenance?
Yes. The FOA notes that CCR registrations must be renewed annually.
Is CCR still used today?
The opportunity summary notes that, in today’s environment, CCR has been replaced by SAM.gov. However, the summary reflects what is written in the original FOA listing.
What are the key dates listed for this funding opportunity?
Key dates in the public listing show it was posted on June 11, 2009. The current closing date is August 4, 2009 (the original closing date was July 13, 2009). The archive date is December 11, 2009.
Which deadline should applicants rely on if there is any confusion?
Applicants should rely on the full announcement in FedConnect for authoritative deadlines and submission requirements.
How should applicants submit questions about the content of the FOA?
Content questions must be submitted through the FedConnect portal. Institutions need to register in FedConnect as an interested party to submit questions and to see DOE’s posted responses.
How quickly does DOE expect to respond to questions submitted through FedConnect?
DOE indicates it will try to respond within about three business days unless the answer is already posted.
Who should be contacted for technical problems with FedConnect submissions?
Technical issues with the FedConnect submission process are directed to FedConnect Support at support@fedconnect.net and the support phone number listed in FedConnect.
Is there an agency contact listed for opportunity-related matters?
Yes. An agency contact is provided: Nancy Kiyota (nancy.kiyota@go.doe.gov). The FOA also notes that the official question-and-answer process runs through FedConnect.
What is the program trying to accomplish at a broader level?
The program is designed to channel DOE solar R&D funding to Minority Serving Institutions, support faculty-mentored student research, and help expand participation by institutions serving historically underrepresented populations in federally supported research programs.
What are the most important compliance and process risks mentioned in the opportunity summary?
The summary highlights that success depends not only on a strong solar research plan and a credible student training approach, but also on careful compliance with FedConnect-based instructions, required registrations, and the cost-sharing requirement. It also warns that process mistakes can make an otherwise strong proposal ineligible.
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