Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0001953
The Department of Energy's Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) released this funding opportunity announcement (FOA) to collect and support bold, early-stage energy ideas that could become the foundation for future ARPA-E program areas. The solicitation is intentionally broad and is meant to attract unconventional, high-risk research and development concepts that are still too early for most private-sector investors, but that could deliver outsized impact if they work. In practical terms, ARPA-E is looking for proposals that could change the trajectory of an energy technology or create an entirely new class of technology, with clear relevance to national energy priorities.
At the core of the opportunity is ARPA-E's congressionally defined mission: strengthen the United States' economic and energy security by advancing energy technologies that can reduce reliance on imported energy, cut energy-related emissions (including greenhouse gases), and improve energy efficiency across the economy, while also helping the U.S. maintain technological leadership in advanced energy technologies. This FOA is issued under ARPA-E's authorizing statute (42 U.S.C. 16538), and any awards made under it follow federal grant rules in 2 C.F.R. Part 200 (as amended) and DOE's implementing regulations in 2 C.F.R. Part 910.
What makes this solicitation different from a narrow topic call is that it is designed to "inform new program areas." That means ARPA-E is not only funding technical work for its own sake, but also using selected projects to explore whether certain technology directions are promising enough to justify creating a future, more targeted ARPA-E program. As a result, ARPA-E indicates it may fund two broad kinds of efforts under this FOA: (1) analyses or exploratory studies that generate insight useful for shaping later focused programs, and (2) proof-of-concept research that demonstrates the feasibility of a new technology concept, either in an area ARPA-E has not previously supported or as a potential enhancement to an existing ARPA-E portfolio area. Across both types, the emphasis is on work that can be meaningfully advanced with a modest investment over a defined period, helping move ideas from scientific discovery toward early-stage technology.
From an applicant standpoint, the opportunity is classified as discretionary funding and uses cooperative agreements, which generally implies substantial involvement by the federal agency during the project (for example, active project management and milestone oversight). The eligible applicant pool is listed as unrestricted, meaning it is broadly open to many types of entities (subject to any additional eligibility clarifications in the full FOA text). The funding activity category is science and technology research and development, and the listed CFDA number is 81.135.
Key administrative details provided include the FOA number (DE-FOA-0001953) and the original open and close dates: created December 20, 2018, with an original closing date of December 19, 2019. While the FOA closes on 12/19/2019, it also notes that applicants must submit full applications by specific "Targeted Topic Full Application Submission Deadline" dates listed in Table 1 of the FOA, meaning the practical deadline depends on the topic track an applicant chooses. ARPA-E anticipated making around 17 awards, with an award ceiling of $3,610,000 per award.
Overall, this solicitation is best read as an open door for ambitious, high-impact energy technology concepts that do not fit neatly into existing funding lanes. ARPA-E is signaling that it wants projects that are risky but potentially transformational, and that can either demonstrate a credible proof-of-concept or generate the analytical and technical basis for ARPA-E to build a new, focused program area in the future.Apply for DE FOA 0001953
- 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 "SOLICITATION ON TOPICS INFORMING NEW PROGRAM AREAS" 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 Dec 20, 2018.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Dec 19, 2019 The FOA closes on 12-19-19. However, Applicants must submit a Full Application by the Targeted Topic Full Application Submission Deadline stated in Table 1 of this FOA.. (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 $3,610,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 17 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)
1) What is this funding opportunity?
This is a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) from the Department of Energy's Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) intended to collect and support bold, early-stage energy ideas that could become the foundation for future ARPA-E program areas.
2) What is the FOA number for this opportunity?
The FOA number is DE-FOA-0001953.
3) What is ARPA-E trying to accomplish with this FOA?
ARPA-E is seeking unconventional, high-risk research and development concepts that are still too early for most private-sector investors, but that could deliver outsized impact if successful. The goal is to find ideas that could change the trajectory of an energy technology or create an entirely new class of technology, with clear relevance to national energy priorities.
4) How is this solicitation different from a typical, narrowly defined topic call?
This solicitation is intentionally broad and is designed to "inform new program areas." ARPA-E is not only funding projects for technical progress, but also using selected projects to explore whether certain technology directions are promising enough to justify a future, more targeted ARPA-E program.
5) What kinds of projects might ARPA-E fund under this FOA?
ARPA-E indicates it may fund two broad kinds of efforts:
- Analyses or exploratory studies that generate insight useful for shaping later focused programs.
- Proof-of-concept research that demonstrates the feasibility of a new technology concept, either in an area ARPA-E has not previously supported or as a potential enhancement to an existing ARPA-E portfolio area.
6) What stage of research is ARPA-E looking for?
The FOA emphasizes bold, early-stage ideas and work that can be meaningfully advanced with a modest investment over a defined period. It is aimed at moving ideas from scientific discovery toward early-stage technology.
7) What does ARPA-E mean by "high-risk" and "transformational" in this context?
Based on the FOA description, ARPA-E is looking for concepts that may be unconventional and uncertain, but that could deliver outsized impact if they work. The intent is to support projects that could significantly redirect an energy technology's path or open up a new technology class.
8) How does this FOA connect to ARPA-E's mission?
The FOA is aligned with ARPA-E's congressionally defined mission to strengthen U.S. economic and energy security by advancing energy technologies that can reduce reliance on imported energy, cut energy-related emissions (including greenhouse gases), and improve energy efficiency across the economy, while also supporting U.S. technological leadership in advanced energy technologies.
9) What is the legal and regulatory framework for awards under this FOA?
The FOA is issued under ARPA-E's authorizing statute (42 U.S.C. 16538). Any awards made under it follow federal grant rules in 2 C.F.R. Part 200 (as amended) and DOE's implementing regulations in 2 C.F.R. Part 910.
10) What type of funding instrument is expected?
The opportunity uses cooperative agreements.
11) What does it mean that awards are cooperative agreements?
Cooperative agreements generally imply substantial involvement by the federal agency during the project, such as active project management and milestone oversight.
12) Is this mandatory or discretionary funding?
This opportunity is classified as discretionary funding.
13) Who is eligible to apply?
The eligible applicant pool is listed as unrestricted, meaning it is broadly open to many types of entities, subject to any additional eligibility clarifications in the full FOA text.
14) What is the funding activity category?
The funding activity category is science and technology research and development.
15) What is the CFDA number listed for this opportunity?
The CFDA number is 81.135.
16) How many awards did ARPA-E anticipate making?
ARPA-E anticipated making around 17 awards.
17) What is the maximum (ceiling) award amount?
The award ceiling is $3,610,000 per award.
18) When was the FOA created, and what was the original closing date?
The FOA was created on December 20, 2018, and the original closing date was December 19, 2019.
19) Is the application deadline simply the closing date listed for the FOA?
Not necessarily. While the FOA closes on 12/19/2019, it also states that applicants must submit full applications by specific "Targeted Topic Full Application Submission Deadline" dates listed in Table 1 of the FOA. In practical terms, the relevant deadline depends on the topic track an applicant chooses.
20) What is the main purpose of funding analyses or exploratory studies under this FOA?
The purpose is to generate insights that are useful for shaping later, focused ARPA-E programs, helping ARPA-E evaluate whether certain technology directions are promising enough to become formal program areas.
21) What is the main purpose of funding proof-of-concept research under this FOA?
The purpose is to demonstrate feasibility of a new technology concept, either in an area ARPA-E has not previously supported or as a potential enhancement to an existing ARPA-E portfolio area.
22) Does this FOA require that a proposed idea fit into an existing ARPA-E program area?
No. The solicitation is described as intentionally broad and specifically meant to attract ideas that may not fit neatly into existing funding lanes, including concepts that could help define new ARPA-E program areas.
23) What is ARPA-E looking for in terms of national relevance?
The FOA emphasizes clear relevance to national energy priorities and alignment with ARPA-E's mission areas, including energy security, emissions reduction (including greenhouse gases), and improved energy efficiency, alongside maintaining U.S. technological leadership.
24) What does the FOA suggest about the expected scope and time horizon of funded work?
The FOA indicates an emphasis on efforts that can be meaningfully advanced with a modest investment over a defined period, supporting early-stage movement from discovery toward technology.
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