Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0000237
Apply for DE FOA 0000237
- The Golden Field Office in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Photovoltaic (PV) Manufacturing Initiative" 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 Jun 2, 2010 and posted on Apr 21, 2010.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 7, 2010 This Announcement is for the Concept Paper Applications, which are due by June 7, 2010.. (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 domestic entities are eligible to apply for this announcement, with the exception of 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 Photovoltaic (PV) Manufacturing Initiative is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Program (SETP) funding opportunity intended to speed up the development and adoption of solar electricity in the United States by strengthening the domestic PV manufacturing base. The broader SETP mission behind the announcement is to expand solar deployment through applied research and development, demonstration, and market transformation, with the larger national goals of diversifying electricity supply, improving national security, and reducing environmental impacts. This particular initiative is structured to help the U.S. PV industry move manufacturing-related innovations from development into practical, scalable implementation.
The opportunity is offered as a discretionary grant program using a Cooperative Agreement, meaning DOE expects substantial involvement during the performance of the project (for example, active technical coordination or milestone-based oversight rather than a hands-off grant). It falls under the energy activity category and is associated with CFDA 81.087 (Renewable Energy Research and Development). A cost-sharing or matching requirement applies, so applicants should expect to contribute non-federal resources toward the total project cost in accordance with the announcement terms.
The FOA is organized around two main topic areas designed to serve different parts of the innovation pipeline. The first is a University-Focused track, aimed at enabling universities to carry out industry-relevant R&D connected specifically to PV manufacturing, which generally implies work that can translate into process improvements, manufacturing tools, materials handling, yield improvements, throughput gains, quality control, or other production-oriented advances. The second is an Industry-Focused track, intended to help companies accelerate the development and real-world implementation of PV manufacturing technologies. This industry track allows both collaborative and non-collaborative models, which signals DOE is open to single-company efforts as well as multi-partner projects that might involve suppliers, manufacturers, universities, or national labs.
A key procedural feature of this initiative is its two-phase submission process. Phase one is the submission of a Concept Paper Application under FOA number DE-FOA-0000237, which is the opportunity described in the notice you provided. DOE uses the concept paper stage to screen ideas, confirm alignment with program goals, and provide feedback to applicants before they spend the time and expense required to prepare a full application. Only applicants who submit a concept paper by the deadline, pass the initial compliance review, and receive DOE feedback are eligible to submit a full application. Phase two is the Full Application stage, which DOE planned to release separately under FOA number DE-FOA-0000259 on Grants.gov after the concept paper window closes and DOE has responded with feedback.
Several formal modifications were issued to clarify or expand eligibility and to adjust evaluation criteria and timing. The final listed change, Modification 005, extended the concept paper deadline to June 7, 2010 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time (the original closing date had been June 3, 2010). Modification 004 broadened eligibility to essentially all domestic entities, while specifically excluding nonprofit organizations classified under IRS section 501(c)(4) that engaged in lobbying activities after December 31, 1995; aside from that eligibility change, the FOA terms were stated to remain unchanged. Modification 003 expanded eligibility further to include all Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) contractors, including those not affiliated with DOE. Earlier changes included Modification 001, which added DOE/NNSA National Laboratory contractors as eligible applicants and updated evaluation criteria, and Modification 002, which updated the "Criteria 1: Organization Objectives" element within the Full Application evaluation criteria section (Section V.A.2), indicating DOE refined how it intended to score or prioritize proposals at the full application stage.
Administratively, the FOA was posted April 21, 2010, with a creation date of June 2, 2010, and it was set to be archived December 31, 2010. The agency office associated with the posting is the DOE Golden Field Office. The announcement directs applicants to find full details through FedConnect (by searching public opportunities using the full announcement number) and states that questions must be submitted through FedConnect rather than by informal email. A grants and agreements specialist contact is provided for access issues: Diana Rebekah Martinez (diana.martinez@go.doe.gov).
In practical terms, the concept paper announcement (DE-FOA-0000237) is the gateway step for organizations that want to compete for DOE support under the PV Manufacturing Initiative. To remain eligible for the later, more detailed Full Application competition (DE-FOA-0000259), an applicant needed to meet the concept paper requirements, submit on time by the extended June 7, 2010 deadline, and receive DOE feedback after passing the initial compliance check.
Photovoltaic (PV) Manufacturing Initiative (DOE SETP) - FAQs
1) What is the Photovoltaic (PV) Manufacturing Initiative?
The Photovoltaic (PV) Manufacturing Initiative is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Program (SETP) funding opportunity intended to speed up the development and adoption of solar electricity in the United States by strengthening the domestic PV manufacturing base. It is designed to help move manufacturing-related innovations from development into practical, scalable implementation.
2) What is the broader purpose of the DOE Solar Energy Technologies Program (SETP) behind this funding opportunity?
The broader SETP mission described in the announcement is to expand solar deployment through applied research and development, demonstration, and market transformation. The larger national goals cited include diversifying electricity supply, improving national security, and reducing environmental impacts.
3) What type of funding mechanism is being used?
This opportunity is offered as a discretionary grant program using a Cooperative Agreement. This means DOE expects substantial involvement during the performance of the project, such as active technical coordination and/or milestone-based oversight, rather than a hands-off award.
4) Is cost sharing (matching) required?
Yes. A cost-sharing or matching requirement applies, so applicants should expect to contribute non-federal resources toward the total project cost in accordance with the announcement terms.
5) What is the activity category and CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity falls under the energy activity category and is associated with CFDA 81.087 (Renewable Energy Research and Development).
6) What are the main topic areas (tracks) in this FOA?
The FOA is organized around two topic areas designed to serve different parts of the PV manufacturing innovation pipeline: a University-Focused track and an Industry-Focused track.
7) What is the University-Focused track intended to support?
The University-Focused track is aimed at enabling universities to carry out industry-relevant R&D connected specifically to PV manufacturing. The announcement indicates this generally implies work that can translate into production-oriented advances such as process improvements, manufacturing tools, materials handling, yield improvements, throughput gains, and quality control.
8) What is the Industry-Focused track intended to support?
The Industry-Focused track is intended to help companies accelerate the development and real-world implementation of PV manufacturing technologies.
9) Are collaborations required for the Industry-Focused track?
No. The industry track allows both collaborative and non-collaborative models, indicating DOE is open to single-company efforts as well as multi-partner projects (for example, projects involving suppliers, manufacturers, universities, or national labs).
10) What is the two-phase submission process described in the announcement?
The initiative uses a two-phase submission process: (1) Phase One is submission of a Concept Paper Application under FOA number DE-FOA-0000237, and (2) Phase Two is submission of a Full Application under FOA number DE-FOA-0000259, planned to be released separately on Grants.gov after the concept paper window closes and DOE has provided feedback.
11) What is the purpose of the concept paper stage?
DOE uses the concept paper stage to screen ideas, confirm alignment with program goals, and provide feedback to applicants before they invest the time and expense required to prepare a full application.
12) Is a concept paper required to submit a full application later?
Yes. Only applicants who submit a concept paper by the deadline, pass the initial compliance review, and receive DOE feedback are eligible to submit a full application.
13) What is the FOA number for the concept paper opportunity described here?
The concept paper opportunity described in the notice is FOA number DE-FOA-0000237.
14) What is the FOA number for the planned full application opportunity?
The full application stage was planned to be released separately under FOA number DE-FOA-0000259 on Grants.gov.
15) What was the final concept paper deadline, and what changed?
Modification 005 extended the concept paper deadline to June 7, 2010 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. The original closing date had been June 3, 2010.
16) Which DOE office is associated with the posting?
The agency office associated with the posting is the DOE Golden Field Office.
17) Where does the announcement direct applicants to find full details?
The announcement directs applicants to FedConnect for full details, instructing them to search public opportunities using the full announcement number.
18) How must questions about the FOA be submitted?
The announcement states that questions must be submitted through FedConnect rather than by informal email.
19) Who is the listed contact for access issues, and what is the email address provided?
A grants and agreements specialist contact is provided for access issues: Diana Rebekah Martinez (diana.martinez@go.doe.gov).
20) What eligibility expansions or clarifications were made through modifications?
The notice describes multiple modifications that expanded or clarified eligibility, including: Modification 004 broadened eligibility to essentially all domestic entities but specifically excluded nonprofit organizations classified under IRS section 501(c)(4) that engaged in lobbying activities after December 31, 1995; Modification 003 expanded eligibility to include all Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) contractors, including those not affiliated with DOE; and Modification 001 added DOE/NNSA National Laboratory contractors as eligible applicants.
21) Did any modifications change evaluation criteria?
Yes. Modification 001 updated evaluation criteria, and Modification 002 updated the "Criteria 1: Organization Objectives" element within the Full Application evaluation criteria section (Section V.A.2), indicating DOE refined how it intended to score or prioritize proposals at the full application stage.
22) Did Modification 004 change anything besides eligibility?
As described in the notice, aside from the eligibility change, the FOA terms were stated to remain unchanged under Modification 004.
23) What are the key administrative dates mentioned for this FOA?
The FOA was posted April 21, 2010, with a creation date of June 2, 2010, and it was set to be archived December 31, 2010.
24) What makes DE-FOA-0000237 the "gateway" step to the overall initiative?
DE-FOA-0000237 is the concept paper announcement that serves as the required entry step for organizations that want to compete for DOE support under the PV Manufacturing Initiative. To remain eligible for the later Full Application competition (DE-FOA-0000259), an applicant needed to meet concept paper requirements, submit on time by the extended June 7, 2010 deadline, and receive DOE feedback after passing the initial compliance check.
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| National Laser Users Program Apply for DE FOA 0000358 Funding Number: DE FOA 0000358 Agency: NNSA Category: Energy Funding Amount: $400,000 |
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| RFI Advanced Hydropower Technology Development and Deployment Apply for DE FOA 0000406 Funding Number: DE FOA 0000406 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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