Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0001126
Apply for DE FOA 0001126
- The Golden Field Office in the business and commerce sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "SUNSHOT CATALYST PRIZE" 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 18, 2014 and posted on Jun 18, 2014.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Rolling competition. (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.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The SunShot Catalyst Prize (tracked under DE-FOA-0001126) is a U.S. Department of Energy initiative run through the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) under the SunShot Initiative, with administration tied to DOE's Golden Field Office. Rather than operating like a traditional research grant or standard federal funding announcement, this opportunity is structured as a prize-based, contest-style program intended to push practical solutions into the solar marketplace. Its core purpose is to motivate members of the public to propose and develop ways to solve time-sensitive, real-world market problems affecting the solar industry, meaning barriers that slow adoption, reduce competitiveness, or complicate deployment can be fair game depending on the specific contest prompt.
A key detail is that DOE explicitly states this is not a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), even though an FOA number appears in the listing. The FOA number is used only for tracking, and applicants should not treat it like a conventional grant solicitation with a fixed budget, standard application package, or a predictable award range. In the public listing, the estimated total funding and typical award floor/ceiling are shown as $0, which reinforces the idea that this posting is mainly a pointer to the prize platform and its rules rather than a promise of a specific grant amount through Grants.gov-style mechanics. In practice, the actual prize structure, milestones, judging criteria, and any monetary awards or non-monetary support would be defined in the official Catalyst competition rules and challenge descriptions hosted on the program website.
Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning it is broadly open to any type of entity, with the caveat that any additional eligibility limits would be spelled out in the official rules or in any clarifying text associated with particular contest rounds. The opportunity is categorized as discretionary and uses an "other" funding instrument type, which fits a prize competition format. It is also mapped to CFDA number 81.087, Renewable Energy Research and Development, and it is listed under the activity category of Business and Commerce, signaling an emphasis on market-facing solutions rather than purely academic research. No cost sharing or matching requirement is indicated in the listing.
Timing-wise, the competition is described as rolling, meaning there is not a single one-time deadline; instead, it runs on an ongoing basis or through successive contest phases that open and close over time. The original posting date is June 18, 2014, and the listing shows an archive date of September 29, 2020, which suggests that while this particular listing is historical, the broader Catalyst concept may have continued through updated pages or later competitions. Anyone interested would need to rely on the official Catalyst site for the most current status, active challenges, and submission windows.
For official details, rules, and participation instructions, DOE directs people to http://catalyst.energy.gov. Questions are routed either through that website or by email to SunShot.Catalyst@ee.doe.gov, with a contact reference to Victor S. Kane for access issues related to the full announcement. Overall, the SunShot Catalyst Prize should be understood as a public innovation challenge platform focused on accelerating solar market solutions, with requirements and benefits governed primarily by the competition rules and active challenge statements rather than by the typical federal grant application framework.
SunShot Catalyst Prize (DE-FOA-0001126) - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the SunShot Catalyst Prize?
The SunShot Catalyst Prize is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) SunShot Initiative program that operates as a prize-based, contest-style innovation challenge. Its goal is to motivate practical, real-world solutions that can move into the solar marketplace and address time-sensitive market problems affecting the solar industry.
Which DOE office runs this opportunity?
This initiative is run through DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) under the SunShot Initiative, with administration tied to DOE's Golden Field Office.
Is this a traditional federal research grant or a standard Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA)?
No. DOE explicitly states that this is not a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) in the conventional sense. It is structured as a prize competition rather than a standard research grant or typical federal funding solicitation.
Why does it have an FOA number (DE-FOA-0001126) if it is not an FOA?
The FOA number appears in the listing for tracking purposes only. It should not be treated like a conventional grant solicitation with a standard application package, fixed budget, or predictable award range.
What kinds of problems or solutions is the Catalyst Prize meant to address?
The program is intended to surface and develop solutions to real-world market barriers affecting solar adoption and deployment. This can include barriers that slow adoption, reduce competitiveness, or complicate deployment, depending on the specific contest prompt or active challenge statement.
Where are the official rules, milestones, and judging criteria described?
The official prize structure, milestones, judging criteria, and any monetary awards or non-monetary support are defined in the official Catalyst competition rules and challenge descriptions hosted on the program website.
How much funding is available through this listing?
The public listing shows an estimated total funding amount of $0 and typical award floor/ceiling of $0. This indicates the posting functions primarily as a pointer to the prize platform and rules rather than a promise of a specific grant amount through a traditional Grants.gov-style mechanism.
Does the listing guarantee a specific prize amount or award range?
No. The listing does not provide a guaranteed prize amount or award range. Any prize amounts or benefits (monetary or non-monetary) would be defined in the official competition rules and the specific challenge description.
Who is eligible to participate?
Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning it is broadly open to any type of entity. However, any additional eligibility limitations would be described in the official rules or clarifying text for particular contest rounds.
Are there any cost sharing or matching requirements?
No cost sharing or matching requirement is indicated in the listing.
What type of funding instrument is used?
The opportunity is categorized as discretionary and uses an "other" funding instrument type, which aligns with a prize competition format rather than a standard grant or cooperative agreement.
What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
This opportunity is mapped to CFDA number 81.087, Renewable Energy Research and Development.
What activity category does this program fall under?
It is listed under the activity category of Business and Commerce, reflecting an emphasis on market-facing solutions rather than purely academic research.
Is there a single deadline to apply or submit?
No single deadline is indicated. The competition is described as rolling, which typically means it runs on an ongoing basis or through successive contest phases that open and close over time.
When was this opportunity posted, and is it still active?
The original posting date is June 18, 2014, and the listing shows an archive date of September 29, 2020. This suggests the specific listing is historical. For current status, active challenges, and submission windows, DOE directs applicants to the official Catalyst website.
Where do I find current challenges and how to participate?
DOE directs participants to the program website at http://catalyst.energy.gov for official details, rules, participation instructions, and any active challenge information.
How do I ask questions about the SunShot Catalyst Prize?
Questions are routed through the Catalyst website or by email to SunShot.Catalyst@ee.doe.gov.
Who is the contact for access issues related to the full announcement?
The listing references Victor S. Kane as the contact for access issues related to the full announcement.
What is the best way to understand requirements and benefits for this opportunity?
This opportunity should be understood primarily through the competition rules and active challenge statements on the official Catalyst site, rather than through the typical federal grant application framework.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Business and Commerce
Next opportunity: National Park Service Use of Lake Trout Genetics to Monitor and Enhance Success of Suppression on Yellowstone Lake
Previous opportunity: Great Basin LCC Project Funding
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 0001126
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (DE FOA 0001126) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| 7j Management and Technical Assistance Services Apply for GCBD 7J 2014 01 Funding Number: GCBD 7J 2014 01 Agency: Small Business Administration Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Womens Business Center Program Initial Grant Apply for OWBO 2014 01 Funding Number: OWBO 2014 01 Agency: Small Business Administration Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $143,959 |
| Procurement Technical Assistance Program (PTAP) Apply for DLA PTAP OPTION1 Funding Number: DLA PTAP OPTION1 Agency: Defense Logistics Agency Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $600,000 |
| Grants to Manufacturers of Certain Worsted Wool Fabrics 2014 Apply for ITA INA OTEXA 2014 2004216 Funding Number: ITA INA OTEXA 2014 2004216 Agency: Department of Commerce Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $1,333,000 |
| KONBIT Apply for RFA 521 15 000002 Funding Number: RFA 521 15 000002 Agency: Haiti USAID Port Au Prince Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $4,650,000 |
| Veteran Business Outreach Center Program Apply for VBOC 2015 02 Funding Number: VBOC 2015 02 Agency: Small Business Administration Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $350,000 |
| Womens Business Center Renewal Grant Apply for OWBO 2015 02 Funding Number: OWBO 2015 02 Agency: Small Business Administration Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $131,250 |
| FEDERAL AND STATE TECHNOLOGY PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM Apply for FAST 2015 R 0009 Funding Number: FAST 2015 R 0009 Agency: Small Business Administration Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Procurement Technical Assistance Program (PTAP) Apply for DLA 20130412 IDAHO Funding Number: DLA 20130412 IDAHO Agency: Defense Logistics Agency Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $600,000 |
| State Trade and Export Promotion Program Apply for OIT STEP 2015 01 Funding Number: OIT STEP 2015 01 Agency: Small Business Administration Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Womens Business Center Initial Grant Apply for OWBO 2015 01 Funding Number: OWBO 2015 01 Agency: Small Business Administration Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $900,000 |
| Target 500 Billion U.S. India Trade Conference Apply for CRFP15 06 Funding Number: CRFP15 06 Agency: U.S. Mission to India Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Portable Assistance Program Apply for OSBDC 2015 03 Funding Number: OSBDC 2015 03 Agency: Small Business Administration Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Entrepreneurship in the MENA Region Apply for NEAAC ACMEPI 15 010 Funding Number: NEAAC ACMEPI 15 010 Agency: Near East Affairs Assistance Coordination Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Value Added Producer Grant Apply for RDBCP VAPG 2015 Funding Number: RDBCP VAPG 2015 Agency: Business and Cooperative Programs Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Program for Investment in Microentrepreneurs (PRIME) Apply for PRIME 2015 01 Funding Number: PRIME 2015 01 Agency: Small Business Administration Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grant Apply for RDBCP SDGG 2015 Funding Number: RDBCP SDGG 2015 Agency: Business and Cooperative Programs Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $175,000 |
| Capacity Building to Aid the Government of Guyana in Achieving Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) Candidacy. Apply for WHA 15 GR 004 WHA GUYANA 05272015 Funding Number: WHA 15 GR 004 WHA GUYANA 05272015 Agency: Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $297,000 |
| Office of Small Business Development Centers Apply for OSBDC 2016 01 Funding Number: OSBDC 2016 01 Agency: Small Business Administration Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $6,500,000 |
| Office of Small Business Development Centers Apply for OSBDC 2016 02 Funding Number: OSBDC 2016 02 Agency: Small Business Administration Category: Business and Commerce Funding Amount: $6,500,000 |
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 0001126", 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.