Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0001229
Apply for DE FOA 0001229
- The National Energy Technology Laboratory in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) Innovative Concepts and Core Technology Research Program" 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 Feb 4, 2015 and posted on Feb 4, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 6, 2015. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $9,500,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 13 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.
- Department of Energy Laboratories are not desired as a prime applicant, but are acceptable as a subcontractor.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) Innovative Concepts and Core Technology Research Program (Funding Opportunity Number DE-FOA-0001229) is a U.S. Department of Energy effort managed through the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) to push SOFC technology from near-commercial readiness into more reliable, rugged, longer-lasting products. The central purpose of the opportunity is to fund research projects that directly address the practical barriers that still keep SOFC stacks and full systems from wider market adoption, especially issues tied to durability under real operating conditions. By targeting reliability, robustness, and endurance, the program is designed to help SOFC developers move from promising prototypes and pilot units toward commercially viable service products, with an eventual line of sight to larger-scale, central generation applications.
This opportunity was offered as a discretionary funding program using cooperative agreements, which typically means awardees should expect substantial technical involvement from the government during the project period (for example, coordination with DOE/NETL, regular technical reviews, milestones, and deliverable-based project management). The funding activity category is energy, and the CFDA number listed is 81.089 (Fossil Energy Research and Development), reflecting NETL's historical role in advancing efficient power generation technologies, including fuel cells that can operate on a range of fuels and integrate with broader energy systems. The announcement anticipated roughly 13 awards, with an estimated total funding amount of about $9.5 million, indicating multiple parallel projects rather than one large flagship award. The listing shows award ceiling and floor as $0, which generally indicates that specific award sizes or ranges were controlled in the full announcement text rather than in the summary fields.
A key feature of the solicitation is that it requires cost sharing or matching, so applicants were expected to contribute a portion of total project costs from non-federal sources. In practical terms, that requirement tends to favor proposals with strong industry participation, credible commercialization pathways, and applicants that can demonstrate they have the resources and commitment to carry the work beyond the federal share. Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning a wide range of entity types could apply (companies, universities, nonprofits, state or local governments, and others), subject to any clarifications in the full funding announcement. One specific eligibility note is that DOE laboratories were not desired as prime applicants, but could participate as subcontractors, which signals an intent to keep project leadership in the private sector or academia while still allowing national lab capabilities to support specialized testing, characterization, or analysis.
From a technical standpoint, the program focus on "innovative concepts and core technology research" combined with an emphasis on systems nearing commercial viability points to work that is applied and impact-driven rather than purely exploratory. Projects under this kind of scope commonly center on degradation mechanisms in cells and stacks, improvements to materials and interfaces, mitigation of performance loss over long run times, tolerance to thermal cycling, mechanical stress, contaminants, or fuel variability, and design or controls strategies that make integrated systems more durable in day-to-day operation. The overall outcome NETL is aiming for is not just higher efficiency or better lab-scale performance, but SOFC systems that can survive extended operation, handle real-world duty cycles, and meet the reliability expectations needed for commercial products, and later for larger central generation deployments where uptime and maintenance costs are critical.
Administratively, the opportunity was posted on February 4, 2015, with an original and final closing date of April 6, 2015, and it was archived on July 6, 2015. The point of contact listed for assistance accessing the full announcement is Mary Beth J. Pearse, Contract Specialist, reachable at pearse@netl.doe.gov. The additional information link is provided through FedConnect, which at the time was a common portal for DOE funding announcements, amendments, and official Q&A related to the solicitation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) Innovative Concepts and Core Technology Research Program (DE-FOA-0001229)
What is this funding opportunity?
This opportunity is the Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) Innovative Concepts and Core Technology Research Program, Funding Opportunity Number DE-FOA-0001229, offered by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and managed through the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL).
What is the main purpose of the program?
The central purpose is to fund research projects that directly address practical barriers that still limit broader market adoption of SOFC stacks and full systems. The emphasis is on durability under real operating conditions, with a focus on improving reliability, robustness, and endurance so SOFC technology can move from near-commercial readiness toward commercially viable service products.
What kinds of outcomes is DOE/NETL aiming for?
The program is aimed at SOFC systems that can survive extended operation and real-world duty cycles, and that meet commercial reliability expectations (including uptime and maintenance-related expectations). The opportunity is intended to support a pathway from prototypes and pilot units to rugged, longer-lasting products, with an eventual line of sight to larger-scale, central generation applications.
What type of award instrument is expected?
The opportunity was offered as a discretionary funding program using cooperative agreements. This generally means recipients should expect substantial government technical involvement during the project period, such as coordination with DOE/NETL, regular technical reviews, milestones, and deliverable-based project management.
Which DOE office or lab manages this program?
The effort is managed through DOE's National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL).
What is the funding activity category and CFDA number?
The funding activity category is energy. The CFDA number listed is 81.089 (Fossil Energy Research and Development).
How many awards were anticipated and what was the total funding amount?
The announcement anticipated roughly 13 awards, with an estimated total funding amount of about $9.5 million, indicating multiple parallel projects rather than a single large project.
Is there a minimum or maximum award amount listed?
The listing shows an award ceiling of $0 and an award floor of $0, which typically indicates that specific award sizes or ranges were controlled in the full announcement text rather than in the summary fields.
Is cost sharing required?
Yes. The solicitation requires cost sharing or matching, meaning applicants were expected to contribute a portion of total project costs from non-federal sources.
What does the cost share requirement imply for applicants?
Because applicants must cover part of the total project cost with non-federal funding, proposals often need credible non-federal support and a clear commitment to carrying the work beyond the federal share. In practice, this tends to favor proposals with strong industry participation and credible commercialization pathways.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning a wide range of entity types could apply (such as companies, universities, nonprofits, and state or local governments), subject to any clarifications in the full funding announcement.
Can DOE laboratories apply as the prime recipient?
DOE laboratories were not desired as prime applicants under this opportunity. However, they could participate as subcontractors, which suggests project leadership was intended to come from the private sector or academia while still allowing national laboratory capabilities to support specific needs.
What kinds of technical topics or research areas fit this program?
Based on the program description, projects are expected to be applied and impact-driven, targeting practical durability and reliability barriers for SOFC stacks and systems nearing commercial viability. Examples of commonly relevant areas include understanding and reducing degradation mechanisms; improving materials and interfaces; mitigating performance loss over long run times; increasing tolerance to thermal cycling, mechanical stress, contaminants, or fuel variability; and developing designs or control strategies that improve day-to-day durability in integrated systems.
Is the program focused on basic research or near-commercial technology?
The scope combines "innovative concepts and core technology research" with an emphasis on systems nearing commercial readiness. That framing points to research that is applied and geared toward measurable improvements under real operating conditions, rather than purely exploratory work.
Is the goal mainly higher efficiency or something else?
The description emphasizes that the desired outcome is not just better lab-scale performance or higher efficiency, but systems that are durable and reliable over extended operation and real-world duty cycles, aligning with commercial product expectations.
When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?
The opportunity was posted on February 4, 2015. The original closing date and the final closing date were both April 6, 2015.
Is this opportunity still open?
No. The listing indicates it was archived on July 6, 2015.
Where was the full announcement and official information provided?
The additional information link was provided through FedConnect, which served as a portal for DOE funding announcements, amendments, and official Q&A related to the solicitation.
Who is the point of contact for help accessing the full announcement?
The point of contact listed is Mary Beth J. Pearse, Contract Specialist. The email provided is pearse@netl.doe.gov.
What does "cooperative agreement" suggest about project management expectations?
It suggests a more hands-on federal role than some other award types, with expected coordination with DOE/NETL, regular technical reviews, defined milestones, and deliverables that guide the project through structured, performance-based management.
Browse more opportunities from the same agency: National Energy Technology Laboratory
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Energy
Next opportunity: Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Grant Program
Previous opportunity: Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study Data Analysis and Informatics Center (U24)
USGrants.org Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for DE FOA 0001229
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (DE FOA 0001229) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| SOLAR POWERING AMERICA BY RECOGNIZING COMMUNITIES (SPARC) Apply for DE FOA 0001241 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001241 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Small and Large Scale Pilots for Reducing the Cost of CO2 Capture and Compression Apply for DE FOA 0001190 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001190 Agency: National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Program Strategy to Advance Marine and Hydrokinetics Apply for DE FOA 0001278 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001278 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DE FOA 0001277 NOI for FOA DE FOA 0001214 U.S. WIND MANUFACTURING LARGER BLADES TO ACCESS GREATER WIND RESOUR Apply for DE FOA 0001277 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001277 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) DE FOA 0001224 Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technologies Research, Development, and Demonstrations Apply for DE FOA 0001224 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001224 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| U.S. WIND MANUFACTURING LARGER BLADES TO ACCESS GREATER WIND RESOURCES AND LOWER COSTS Apply for DE FOA 0001214 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001214 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: $900,000 |
| Technology Development and Assessment for Supercritical Carbon Dioxide (SCO2) Based Power Cycles Apply for DE FOA 0001239 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001239 Agency: National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Solar Big Data and Informatics Request for Information Apply for DE FOA 0001318 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001318 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NEXT GENERATION ELECTRIC MACHINES MEGAWATT CLASS MOTORS Apply for DE FOA 0001208 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001208 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| RFI Risk and Uncertainty Management in Geothermal Exploration Apply for DE FOA 0001328 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001328 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| TRIBAL ENERGY DEVELOPMENT CAPACITY GRANTS Apply for BIA TEDC 15 FA 0002 Funding Number: BIA TEDC 15 FA 0002 Agency: Bureau of Indian Affairs Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Building America Program Technology to Market Roadmaps Apply for DE FOA 0001326 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001326 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| University Coalition for Fossil Energy Research Apply for DE FOA 0001267 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001267 Agency: National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OF INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES FOR LOW IMPACT HYDROPOWER DEVELOPMENT Apply for DE FOA 0001286 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001286 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| RFI Cities Leading through Energy Analysis and Planning (Cities LEAP) Apply for DE FOA 0001332 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001332 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Energy Conservation Apply for DTMA91R1500011 Funding Number: DTMA91R1500011 Agency: Maritime Administration Category: Energy Funding Amount: $1,330,000 |
| Geothermal Concepts and Approaches to Validate Mineral Recovery Apply for DE FOA 0001327 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001327 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| RFI Facilitating the Development of the Offshore Wind Industry in the United States Apply for DE FOA 0001350 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001350 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| SOLAR BANKABILITY DATA TO ADVANCE TRANSACTIONS AND ACCESS (SB DATA) Apply for DE FOA 0001319 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001319 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Request for Information (RFI) Gas Clean Up for Fuel Cell Applications Workshop Report Apply for DE FOA 0001331 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001331 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Subscribe to Leads
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "DE FOA 0001229", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.