Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0001788
The Department of Energy, through the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), is funding a set of large-scale pilot projects focused on "transformational" coal technologies. The goal is to push coal-based power systems toward step-change improvements, meaning meaningful leaps in performance and efficiency that can also drive down the overall cost of electricity. Rather than funding only early lab research, this opportunity is structured to move promising concepts toward real-world, pilot-scale facilities that can be designed, built, and actually operated long enough to generate credible technical and economic results.
This funding opportunity (DE-FOA-0001788) is offered as a discretionary program using cooperative agreements, which generally means DOE expects to stay actively involved during the project. The program sits in the Energy, Science and Technology, and R&D category (CFDA 81.089). Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, so in practice a wide range of entities can apply (companies, universities, national labs, nonprofits, and others), as long as they meet any requirements stated in the full FOA text.
A key feature of the program is its three-phase structure with down-selection between phases. Phase I is the Feasibility phase, and it is the only phase for which DOE is requesting full, detailed applications at the time of this announcement. Phase I is not just a paper exercise; it is meant to position a project for a credible, financeable move into design and construction later. During Phase I, recipients are expected to lock in essential team commitments, including an actual host site and committed cost share arrangements needed for Phase II. They also need to refine and update preliminary cost estimates and the project schedule covering design, construction, and operations. In addition, Phase I includes preparing an environmental information volume, which helps tee up later environmental review requirements.
Projects that successfully make it through Phase I can be invited into Phase II, the Design phase. Phase II centers on completing a Front End Engineering Design (FEED) study, which is the kind of engineering work that turns a concept into a buildable facility with defined equipment, layouts, cost basis, and execution plans. In Phase II, teams also need to secure the cost share funding needed for construction and operations, and they must complete the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process. That combination is important: DOE is signaling that projects must be both technically mature and ready from a permitting and compliance standpoint before they can be considered for major construction dollars.
Phase III is the Construction-Operation phase, where DOE expects to support the actual build-out and operation of the large-scale pilot facilities. DOE anticipates selecting at least two projects for Phase III, which implies a competitive narrowing as projects advance and as DOE assesses which ones are most viable and impactful. The operational period in Phase III is not optional or symbolic; the pilots must be run to produce data that can validate performance, efficiency, and cost improvements under realistic conditions.
There is also a strict fuel requirement tied to Phase III: any project that proceeds to construction and operations must use domestic coal and/or domestic coal-derived fuels during the operating period. This is not a minor preference. The FOA explicitly states that Phase I applicants who plan to primarily use other fuel sources during operations will be considered non-responsive, meaning they can be rejected for not meeting the basic requirements. In other words, even though Phase I is the immediate application target, applicants must show that their long-term operating plan aligns with domestic coal or coal-derived fuels, because DOE is evaluating the overall viability of the full three-phase path.
In terms of scale and expectations, the opportunity lists an award ceiling of $1,000,000 and an expected eight awards, with the creation date of August 24, 2017 and an original closing date of October 19, 2017. While only Phase I is being solicited in full detail, applicants still need to provide enough information about their preliminary Phase II and Phase III plans for DOE to judge whether the concept can realistically reach design completion, permitting, construction, and operations. The overall message is that DOE is looking for teams that can credibly move beyond concept-stage work into pilot-scale execution, with committed partners, a real site, a realistic budget and schedule, and a clear pathway to operating on domestic coal-based fuels.Apply for DE FOA 0001788
- The Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory in the energy, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Fossil Fuel Large-Scale Pilots" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.089.
- This funding opportunity was created on Aug 24, 2017.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Oct 19, 2017. (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 $1,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 8 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is this funding opportunity?
This is Department of Energy (DOE) Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) DE-FOA-0001788, administered through the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). It supports large-scale pilot projects focused on "transformational" coal technologies intended to deliver step-change improvements in performance and efficiency and reduce the overall cost of electricity.
What types of projects is DOE trying to fund?
DOE is seeking projects that can move beyond lab-scale research and progress toward real-world, pilot-scale facilities that can be designed, built, and operated long enough to generate credible technical and economic results. The emphasis is on meaningful leaps in performance and efficiency for coal-based power systems.
Is this a research-only program, or does it support building and operating pilots?
The program is structured specifically to advance promising concepts toward pilot-scale facilities, including eventual construction and operation in later phases. It is not limited to early-stage laboratory research.
Which DOE organization is sponsoring the opportunity?
The opportunity is offered by the Department of Energy through the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL).
What funding mechanism is used?
The FOA is offered as a discretionary program using cooperative agreements. This generally means DOE expects to stay actively involved in the project during performance.
What program category and CFDA number apply to this opportunity?
The program is in the Energy, Science and Technology, and R&D category and is listed under CFDA 81.089.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed as unrestricted. In practice, a wide range of entities may apply (such as companies, universities, national labs, nonprofits, and others), as long as they meet any requirements stated in the full FOA text.
How is the program structured?
The program has a three-phase structure with down-selection between phases. Projects may be competitively narrowed as they progress from Phase I to Phase II to Phase III.
Which phase is requesting full applications right now?
Phase I (the Feasibility phase) is the only phase for which DOE is requesting full, detailed applications at the time of this announcement.
What is the purpose of Phase I (Feasibility)?
Phase I is intended to position a project for a credible, financeable move into later design and construction. It is meant to do more than produce a concept paper; it should establish the foundation needed to advance to pilot-scale execution.
What are key Phase I expectations for project teams?
During Phase I, recipients are expected to lock in essential team commitments, including identifying an actual host site and establishing committed cost share arrangements needed for Phase II. Teams must also refine and update preliminary cost estimates and the project schedule that covers design, construction, and operations.
What is the "environmental information volume" mentioned for Phase I?
Phase I includes preparing an environmental information volume. This is intended to support later environmental review requirements as the project advances.
What happens after Phase I?
Projects that successfully make it through Phase I can be invited into Phase II (Design). Advancement is not automatic; it is subject to DOE evaluation and down-selection.
What is Phase II (Design) focused on?
Phase II centers on completing a Front End Engineering Design (FEED) study to turn the concept into a buildable facility with defined equipment, layouts, cost basis, and execution plans.
What additional requirements are emphasized in Phase II?
In Phase II, teams must secure the cost share funding needed for construction and operations, and they must complete the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process. DOE is signaling that projects should be technically mature and ready from a permitting and compliance standpoint before major construction support is considered.
What is Phase III (Construction-Operation)?
Phase III is the Construction-Operation phase, where DOE expects to support the actual build-out and operation of the large-scale pilot facilities.
How many projects does DOE expect to select for Phase III?
DOE anticipates selecting at least two projects for Phase III, implying competitive narrowing as projects advance.
Is operating the pilot facility required in Phase III?
Yes. The operational period in Phase III is a core expectation. Pilots must be run to produce data that validates performance, efficiency, and cost improvements under realistic operating conditions.
Is there a fuel requirement for projects that reach Phase III?
Yes. Any project that proceeds to construction and operations must use domestic coal and/or domestic coal-derived fuels during the operating period.
How does the domestic coal fuel requirement affect Phase I applications?
The requirement is strict enough that Phase I applicants who plan to primarily use other fuel sources during operations will be considered non-responsive. Even though Phase I is the immediate application target, applicants must show that their long-term operating plan aligns with domestic coal or coal-derived fuels.
What is the award ceiling listed for this opportunity?
The opportunity lists an award ceiling of $1,000,000.
How many awards are expected?
The opportunity indicates an expectation of eight awards.
What are the key dates provided?
The creation date is August 24, 2017, and the original closing date is October 19, 2017.
Do applicants need to describe Phase II and Phase III plans if only Phase I is being solicited?
Yes. While only Phase I is being solicited in full detail, applicants still need to provide enough information about preliminary Phase II and Phase III plans for DOE to judge whether the concept can realistically reach design completion, permitting, construction, and operations.
What is DOE looking for overall in project teams and plans?
DOE is looking for teams that can credibly move beyond concept-stage work into pilot-scale execution, with committed partners, a real host site, realistic budgets and schedules, and a clear pathway to operating on domestic coal-based fuels.
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| Notice of Intent to Issue Funding Opportunity Announcement entitled Developing Technologies to Advance the Understanding of State of Stress and Geomechanical Impacts within the Subsurface Apply for DE FOA 0001887 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001887 Agency: Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy, Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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| Developing Technologies to Advance the Understanding of State of Stress and Geomechanical Impacts Within the Subsurface Apply for DE FOA 0001826 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001826 Agency: Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy, Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Solid Oxide Fuel Cells Core Technology Research Apply for DE FOA 0001853 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001853 Agency: Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy, Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Preliminary Design and Techno-Economic Analysis of MWe-Class Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Systems Apply for DE FOA 0001850 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001850 Agency: Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy, Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $23,000,000 |
| Industry Partnerships for Cybersecurity of Energy Delivery Systems (CEDS) Research, Development and Demonstration Apply for DE FOA 0001755 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001755 Agency: Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy, Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $4,000,000 |
| Big Data Analysis of Synchrophasor Data Apply for DE FOA 0001861 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001861 Agency: Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy, Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Notice of Intent to issue Funding Opportunity Announcement DE-FOA-0001990 Apply for DE FOA 0002016 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002016 Agency: Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy, Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| University Turbine Systems Research (UTSR) Apply for DE FOA 0002024 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002024 Agency: Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy, Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Notice of Intent DE-FOA-0002046 to Issue Funding Opportunity Announcement DE-FOA-0001998 titled - Transformational Sensing Capabilities for Monitoring the Subsurface Apply for DE FOA 0002046 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002046 Agency: Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy, Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| University Turbine Systems Research Apply for DE FOA 0001993 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001993 Agency: Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy, Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $800,000 |
| Notice of Intent to Issue Funding Opportunity Announcement DE-FOA-0002000 titled Regional Initiative to Accelerate Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage Apply for DE FOA 0002086 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002086 Agency: Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy, Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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| Industry Partnerships for Cybersecurity of Energy Delivery Systems Research, Development, and Demonstration Apply for DE FOA 0002065 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002065 Agency: Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy, Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| Notice of Intent to Issue Small-Scale Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) Systems for Distributed Power Generation Apply for DE FOA 0002148 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002148 Agency: Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy, Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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