Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0000103
Apply for DE FOA 0000103
- The National Energy Technology Laboratory in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Novel Non Precious Metal Hydrogen Separation and Production R D" 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 Jun 5, 2009 and posted on Jun 1, 2009.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 1, 2009. (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.
- All types of domestic entities are eligible to apply, except other Federal agencies, Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) Contractors, 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.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Department of Energy, through the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), offered this discretionary funding opportunity (DE-FOA-0000103) to fund research, development, and demonstration work that strengthens U.S. capabilities in hydrogen separations and hydrogen production. The program sits under DOE Fossil Energy Research and Development (CFDA 81.089) and is structured as a cooperative agreement, meaning awardees should expect substantial federal involvement during project execution. A cost-share requirement applies, so applicants needed to contribute a portion of total project costs from non-federal sources.
The core purpose of the opportunity is to advance the DOE Strategic Plan by building "core competencies" in hydrogen separation technologies while also pushing forward novel hydrogen production methods under the Hydrogen and Clean Fuels program area. The broader program goal is to develop advanced energy technologies that enable the country to use abundant domestic coal resources to produce, deliver, store, and use affordable hydrogen in a way that is environmentally responsible. A central theme is pairing hydrogen production from coal with carbon management approaches such as carbon capture and sequestration, so the hydrogen can support transportation and stationary power uses with reduced emissions impacts.
From a market and deployment perspective, the opportunity is framed around preparing for larger-scale hydrogen availability to support fuel-cell-powered vehicles expected to enter the transportation sector in the future, while also addressing environmental concerns tied to conventional energy use. In other words, the R&D focus is not only on technical innovation in separation and production steps, but also on building a pathway toward scalable hydrogen supply that can integrate with carbon sequestration strategies and ultimately reduce pollution burdens.
DOE solicited applications in two topic areas. Topic Area 1 focused on novel, non-precious-metal hydrogen separation, signaling an interest in membranes, sorbents, catalysts, or other separation systems that avoid expensive precious metals (for example, platinum-group metals) while still achieving strong performance, durability, and cost targets. Topic Area 2 covered hydrogen production R&D more broadly, inviting new or improved processes for producing hydrogen, particularly in contexts aligned with coal-based systems and cleaner production approaches. Across both topics, the intent was to produce advances that make hydrogen cheaper, cleaner, and more scalable, with an emphasis on innovations that could be integrated into practical systems rather than remaining purely conceptual.
Eligibility was broadly open to domestic applicants of many types, with several important exclusions. Other federal agencies were not eligible, and neither were Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) contractors. Also excluded were certain nonprofit organizations described under IRS code 501(c)(4) that engaged in lobbying activities after December 31, 1995. Aside from those limits, the announcement indicated an unrestricted applicant pool, subject to any additional clarifications in the FOA text itself.
Administratively, the announcement required that questions be submitted through FedConnect, and the FOA and application preparation instructions were provided via the FedConnect portal. The posting date was June 1, 2009, with a closing date of July 1, 2009, and the opportunity was later archived on October 1, 2009. For access issues or technical problems, the listing provided FedConnect support (support@fedconnect.net) and a NETL contact (Martin Byrnes at Martin.Byrnes@netl.doe.gov).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is this funding opportunity?
This is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) discretionary funding opportunity offered through the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) under Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) number DE-FOA-0000103. It supports research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) work to strengthen U.S. capabilities in hydrogen separations and hydrogen production.
Which DOE program is this opportunity associated with?
The opportunity sits under DOE Fossil Energy Research and Development and is identified as CFDA 81.089. It is aligned with the Hydrogen and Clean Fuels program area.
What type of award is anticipated?
The FOA is structured as a cooperative agreement. That means awardees should expect substantial federal involvement during project execution compared to more hands-off award types.
Is cost share required?
Yes. A cost-share requirement applies, meaning applicants needed to contribute a portion of total project costs from non-federal sources.
What is the main purpose of the FOA?
The core purpose is to advance the DOE Strategic Plan by building "core competencies" in hydrogen separation technologies while also advancing novel hydrogen production methods. The broader goal is to develop advanced energy technologies that enable the U.S. to use domestic coal resources to produce, deliver, store, and use affordable hydrogen in an environmentally responsible way.
How does carbon management fit into this opportunity?
A central theme is pairing hydrogen production from coal with carbon management approaches such as carbon capture and sequestration, with the intent of supporting transportation and stationary power uses while reducing emissions impacts.
Why does the FOA emphasize hydrogen for transportation and power?
The FOA is framed around preparing for larger-scale hydrogen availability to support fuel-cell-powered vehicles expected to enter the transportation sector in the future. It also addresses environmental concerns tied to conventional energy use and seeks pathways that can reduce pollution burdens.
What are the topic areas under this FOA?
DOE solicited applications in two topic areas:
- Topic Area 1: Novel, non-precious-metal hydrogen separation
- Topic Area 2: Hydrogen production R&D more broadly
What kinds of technologies are of interest in Topic Area 1?
Topic Area 1 focuses on novel hydrogen separation approaches that avoid precious metals (for example, platinum-group metals). The FOA signals interest in membranes, sorbents, catalysts, or other separation systems that can meet performance, durability, and cost targets without relying on expensive precious metals.
What kinds of work are of interest in Topic Area 2?
Topic Area 2 covers hydrogen production research and development more broadly. It invites new or improved processes for producing hydrogen, particularly in contexts aligned with coal-based systems and cleaner production approaches.
Does the FOA focus only on basic research, or also on practical integration?
Across both topics, the intent is to produce advances that make hydrogen cheaper, cleaner, and more scalable, with an emphasis on innovations that could be integrated into practical systems rather than remaining purely conceptual.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility was broadly open to domestic applicants of many types, described as an unrestricted applicant pool, subject to the exclusions and any additional clarifications contained in the FOA text.
Which organizations are not eligible?
The FOA lists several key exclusions:
- Other federal agencies are not eligible.
- Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) contractors are not eligible.
- Certain nonprofit organizations described under IRS code 501(c)(4) that engaged in lobbying activities after December 31, 1995 are not eligible.
Where were questions about the FOA required to be submitted?
Administrative questions were required to be submitted through FedConnect.
Where were the FOA and application instructions provided?
The FOA and application preparation instructions were provided via the FedConnect portal.
What were the key dates for this opportunity?
- Posting date: June 1, 2009
- Closing date: July 1, 2009
- Archive date: October 1, 2009
Is this opportunity still open?
No. Based on the provided dates, the closing date was July 1, 2009, and the opportunity was archived on October 1, 2009.
Who should applicants contact for FedConnect technical support?
For access issues or technical problems, FedConnect support was listed as support@fedconnect.net.
Who is the NETL point of contact listed for this opportunity?
The listing provided a NETL contact: Martin Byrnes at Martin.Byrnes@netl.doe.gov.
What is the broader program vision behind this FOA?
The broader vision is to develop advanced energy technologies that enable affordable hydrogen derived from domestic coal resources, while integrating environmental responsibility through carbon management (including carbon capture and sequestration) to support future transportation and stationary power applications.
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