Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0001609

  • The Department of Energy, Advanced Research Projects Agency Energy in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "RFI - Advanced Circuit Topology" and is now available to receive applicants.
  • Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.135.
  • This funding opportunity was created on Aug 04, 2016.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 29, 2016 This is a Request for Information (RFI). ARPA-E is not accepting applications for financial assistance or financial incentives under this RFI.. (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 $1.00 in funding.
  • The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 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.
Apply for DE FOA 0001609

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Opportunity Summary:

The U.S. Department of Energy's Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) issued a Request for Information (RFI) titled "RFI - Advanced Circuit Topology" (Funding Opportunity Number DE-FOA-0001609) to gather input on new ideas for power electronic systems that are made possible by wide-bandgap semiconductor technologies. The central theme is "Novel Power Electronic Systems Enabled by Wide-Bandgap Semiconductors," which points to next-generation circuit topologies, device uses, and system-level approaches that could take advantage of materials such as silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN). In practical terms, ARPA-E is seeking technical perspectives that could inform future research directions or potential program development in advanced power conversion, where wide-bandgap devices can operate at higher voltages, higher switching frequencies, and higher temperatures than traditional silicon power electronics, enabling smaller, lighter, and potentially more efficient converters and inverters.

This notice is explicitly not a grant solicitation or a call for proposals. It is categorized as an RFI rather than a funding opportunity for awards, and ARPA-E stated it was not accepting applications for financial assistance or financial incentives under this announcement. Even though the listing includes administrative fields like an "Award Ceiling" and "Expected Awards," those fields do not change the nature of the posting: the agency is collecting information, not selecting projects for funding under this specific action. The activity category is listed under Science and Technology and other Research and Development (CFDA 81.135), which is consistent with ARPA-E's role in shaping and catalyzing high-impact energy R&D, but participants should interpret this as an opportunity to influence future funding priorities rather than to receive funding now.

Eligibility for responding is described as unrestricted, meaning the RFI is open to any type of entity, subject to any additional clarifications in the full text. That generally implies that companies, universities, national laboratories, research organizations, and other stakeholders in power electronics or semiconductor technology could provide input. The RFI was created on August 4, 2016, with an original closing date of August 29, 2016, indicating a short response window typical of market research and landscape-assessment efforts. Overall, the opportunity is best understood as ARPA-E asking the community to share technical insights, emerging concepts, and potentially barriers or needs related to advanced circuit topology and system architectures that leverage wide-bandgap semiconductors, with the goal of informing subsequent, competitively funded ARPA-E programs or solicitations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this ARPA-E notice about?

This notice is a Request for Information (RFI) from the U.S. Department of Energy's Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) titled "RFI - Advanced Circuit Topology" (Funding Opportunity Number DE-FOA-0001609). It is intended to gather input on new ideas for power electronic systems made possible by wide-bandgap semiconductor technologies.

Is this a grant solicitation or a call for proposals?

No. The posting is explicitly an RFI, not a grant solicitation and not a call for proposals. ARPA-E stated it was not accepting applications for financial assistance or financial incentives under this announcement.

Does responding to this RFI result in funding?

No. The purpose of the RFI is to collect information. Submitting a response is a way to provide technical input to ARPA-E, not a way to apply for funding under this specific action.

Why does the listing show fields like "Award Ceiling" and "Expected Awards" if it is not funding?

The listing includes administrative fields such as an "Award Ceiling" and "Expected Awards," but ARPA-E indicated those fields do not change the nature of the posting. Under this notice, the agency is collecting information and is not selecting projects for funding.

What is the central theme of the RFI?

The central theme is "Novel Power Electronic Systems Enabled by Wide-Bandgap Semiconductors." The RFI focuses on next-generation circuit topologies, device uses, and system-level approaches that take advantage of wide-bandgap materials.

Which semiconductor materials are specifically mentioned?

The notice points to wide-bandgap materials such as silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN).

What types of technical ideas is ARPA-E looking for?

ARPA-E is seeking technical perspectives that could inform future research directions or potential program development in advanced power conversion. This includes ideas related to next-generation circuit topologies, how devices could be used, and broader system architectures that leverage wide-bandgap semiconductors.

What advantages of wide-bandgap devices are highlighted in the notice?

The notice highlights that wide-bandgap devices can operate at higher voltages, higher switching frequencies, and higher temperatures than traditional silicon power electronics. These capabilities can enable smaller, lighter, and potentially more efficient converters and inverters.

What application area does this RFI relate to?

The RFI relates to advanced power conversion, including power electronic systems such as converters and inverters where wide-bandgap semiconductors may enable new performance levels and form factors.

What is the activity category and CFDA number associated with this notice?

The activity category is listed under Science and Technology and other Research and Development, with CFDA 81.135.

Who is eligible to respond?

Eligibility for responding is described as unrestricted, meaning it is open to any type of entity (subject to any additional clarifications in the full text). The notice suggests that companies, universities, national laboratories, research organizations, and other stakeholders in power electronics or semiconductor technology could provide input.

What is the main purpose of responding if there is no funding attached?

The RFI is best understood as an opportunity to influence future ARPA-E funding priorities by sharing technical insights, emerging concepts, and potential barriers or needs related to advanced circuit topology and system architectures using wide-bandgap semiconductors.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this RFI?

The Funding Opportunity Number is DE-FOA-0001609.

When was the RFI created and when did it close?

The RFI was created on August 4, 2016, and had an original closing date of August 29, 2016.

How long was the response window?

Based on the dates provided (August 4, 2016 to August 29, 2016), the response window was short, which is typical for market research and landscape-assessment RFIs.

What outcomes might ARPA-E pursue after collecting RFI responses?

ARPA-E indicated the intent is to inform subsequent, competitively funded ARPA-E programs or solicitations. In other words, the information collected could shape future program development, research directions, and funding topics.

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