Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0002933
This notice is an informational announcement from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), signaling DOE's intent to release a separate, full Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) identified as DE-FOA-0002934 and titled "Underserved and Indigenous Community Microgrids." The notice itself (DE-FOA-0002933) is not the application package and is not requesting public comments; it is mainly meant to provide early visibility so potential applicants can begin planning, building partnerships, and preparing technical concepts ahead of the formal FOA release.
The planned FOA's central purpose is to support the development and implementation of microgrid solutions that are replicable, meaning the approaches funded should be designed so they can be repeated or adapted across multiple communities rather than being one-off demonstrations. The focus is specifically on underserved and Indigenous communities located in remote and islanded regions of the United States, where grid access, reliability, fuel logistics, and extreme weather vulnerability often make energy costs higher and outages more frequent or more harmful. In this context, "microgrid solutions" generally implies community-scale energy systems that can operate in coordination with the larger grid when available and can also "island" and run independently during outages, improving resilience for critical facilities and essential services.
DOE frames this planned FOA as responsive to Fiscal Year 2022 Congressional direction calling for coordinated research and development of microgrid-related technologies with a focus on underserved and Indigenous communities. That emphasis signals that DOE is looking not only for deployment but also for coordinated technical work and practical learnings that advance microgrid design, integration, controls, operational strategies, and community-fit implementation models in the types of environments where standard approaches may not work well.
From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding and anticipates using cooperative agreements and potentially other instruments. Cooperative agreements typically involve substantial federal involvement during the period of performance, which often means closer collaboration with DOE on milestones, reporting, and technical direction than a standard grant. The funding activity category is energy, and the associated CFDA number listed is 81.122, indicating the assistance listing under which the funding would fall.
Eligibility is described as "unrestricted," meaning it is broadly open to many types of entities (such as tribes, local governments, universities, nonprofits, for-profits, utilities, and other organizations), with the caveat that the final FOA text may include clarifications or additional conditions. Because this is only a notice of intent, the most important eligibility details, teaming expectations, cost-share requirements (if any), and the specific technical topic areas would be expected to appear in the full FOA (DE-FOA-0002934) when issued.
Timing-wise, the notice was created on December 19, 2022. It states that DE-FOA-0002934 was anticipated to be issued early in the first quarter of calendar year 2023, and the notice record shows an original closing date of February 28, 2023. Since this document is a notice of intent rather than the FOA itself, those dates should be interpreted as planning markers tied to the anticipated FOA release and schedule. The notice also lists an "award ceiling" value of 2 and shows "expected awards" as 0, which is consistent with the fact that the notice is not itself making awards; the definitive funding levels, number of awards, and maximum award amounts would normally be finalized and published in the FOA.
In practical terms, the opportunity is aimed at advancing microgrids that can materially improve energy resilience and reliability for communities that are often at the end of long fuel supply chains, vulnerable to storms and extreme weather, and sometimes disconnected from large balancing areas and maintenance resources. A strong project concept under a program like this typically needs to show not only an engineering solution but also an implementation approach that can be repeated: standardized design elements, clear operational and maintenance plans, thoughtful community engagement, and measurable benefits such as improved outage performance, reduced reliance on expensive imported fuels, enhanced power quality for critical loads, and scalability to other underserved or Indigenous communities facing similar constraints.Apply for DE FOA 0002933
- The Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Notice of Intent - DE-FOA-0002933 to issue Funding Opportunity Announcement DE-FOA-0002934 titled Underserved & Indigenous Community Microgrids" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.122.
- This funding opportunity was created on Dec 19, 2022.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 28, 2023 DE-FOA-0002934 is anticipated to be issued early in the first quarter of the calendar year 2023.. (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 $2.00 in funding.
- 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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FAQs: Underserved and Indigenous Community Microgrids (DOE/NETL Notice of Intent)
1) What is this announcement (DE-FOA-0002933)?
This is an informational Notice of Intent from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). It signals DOE's plan to release a separate, full Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) and is meant to give potential applicants early visibility so they can prepare.
2) Is DE-FOA-0002933 the actual application package?
No. DE-FOA-0002933 is not the FOA and is not the application package. The actual application instructions and requirements are expected to be in the separate FOA identified as DE-FOA-0002934.
3) Is DOE requesting public comments on this notice?
No. The notice states it is not requesting public comments. Its purpose is primarily informational and intended to support early planning.
4) What is the planned FOA number and title?
The planned FOA is identified as DE-FOA-0002934 and is titled "Underserved and Indigenous Community Microgrids."
5) What is the main purpose of the planned FOA?
The planned FOA is intended to support the development and implementation of microgrid solutions for underserved and Indigenous communities, with an emphasis on approaches that are replicable across multiple communities rather than one-off demonstrations.
6) What does "replicable" mean in this context?
"Replicable" means the funded microgrid solutions should be designed so they can be repeated or adapted in other communities. The intent is to support models, designs, and implementation approaches that can transfer to similar locations and conditions.
7) What types of communities are the focus of this planned FOA?
The focus is on underserved and Indigenous communities located in remote and islanded regions of the United States, where energy costs can be higher and outages may be more frequent or more harmful due to logistics and environmental conditions.
8) What does DOE mean by "remote and islanded" regions?
Based on the notice, these are areas where communities may have limited grid access or be disconnected from larger balancing areas, and where fuel logistics, maintenance resources, and extreme weather vulnerability can create reliability and cost challenges.
9) What is a "microgrid solution" as described here?
In this notice, microgrid solutions generally refer to community-scale energy systems that can operate in coordination with the larger grid when it is available and can also "island" and run independently during outages to improve resilience for critical facilities and essential services.
10) Why is DOE emphasizing microgrids for these communities?
DOE highlights challenges common in remote and islanded regions, including higher energy costs, greater exposure to storms and extreme weather, long fuel supply chains, and the potential for outages that are especially disruptive. Microgrids can improve resilience and reliability under those conditions.
11) How is this planned FOA connected to Congressional direction?
DOE frames the planned FOA as responsive to Fiscal Year 2022 Congressional direction calling for coordinated research and development of microgrid-related technologies with a focus on underserved and Indigenous communities.
12) Is this opportunity only about deployment, or does it include research and development?
The notice emphasizes coordinated research and development along with practical implementation. It signals interest in advancing technical and operational learnings that improve microgrid design, integration, controls, operational strategies, and implementation models that fit community needs in challenging environments.
13) What funding type or mechanism is anticipated?
The notice categorizes the opportunity as discretionary funding and anticipates the use of cooperative agreements (and potentially other instruments).
14) What is a cooperative agreement, and why does it matter?
The notice explains that cooperative agreements typically involve substantial federal involvement during the period of performance. Practically, that can mean closer collaboration with DOE on milestones, reporting, and technical direction than might occur under a standard grant.
15) What is the funding activity category?
The funding activity category listed is energy.
16) What is the CFDA (assistance listing) number associated with this opportunity?
The notice lists CFDA number 81.122, which indicates the assistance listing under which this funding would fall.
17) Who is eligible to apply based on the notice?
Eligibility is described as "unrestricted," meaning it is broadly open to many types of entities. The notice gives examples such as tribes, local governments, universities, nonprofits, for-profits, utilities, and other organizations, while noting the final FOA may include clarifications or additional conditions.
18) Does the notice include final eligibility conditions, cost-share, or topic areas?
No. Because this is a notice of intent, the key details such as eligibility specifics, teaming expectations, cost-share requirements (if any), and the specific technical topic areas are expected to be provided in the full FOA (DE-FOA-0002934) when it is issued.
19) When was the notice created?
The notice was created on December 19, 2022.
20) When was the full FOA anticipated to be issued?
The notice states the FOA (DE-FOA-0002934) was anticipated to be issued early in the first quarter of calendar year 2023.
21) What is the closing date shown in the notice, and how should it be interpreted?
The notice record shows an original closing date of February 28, 2023. Since this document is a notice of intent rather than the FOA itself, the dates should be treated as planning markers tied to the anticipated FOA release and schedule.
22) Does this notice make awards?
No. The notice is not itself making awards. It is informational and points to a future FOA where awards would be competed and made.
23) What do "expected awards: 0" and the listed "award ceiling" indicate here?
The notice lists "expected awards" as 0, consistent with the fact that the notice does not make awards. It also shows an "award ceiling" value of 2, but definitive funding levels, number of awards, and maximum award amounts would normally be finalized and published in the full FOA.
24) What kinds of benefits or outcomes does DOE appear to be looking for?
Based on the notice description, DOE is aiming for microgrids that materially improve energy resilience and reliability. Examples of measurable benefits mentioned or implied include improved outage performance, reduced reliance on expensive imported fuels, enhanced power quality for critical loads, and scalability to other underserved or Indigenous communities facing similar constraints.
25) What makes a project concept "strong" for an opportunity like this, based on the notice?
The notice suggests strong concepts typically go beyond engineering and include a repeatable implementation approach. Elements mentioned include standardized design elements, clear operations and maintenance plans, thoughtful community engagement, and benefits that can be measured and demonstrated in ways that support replication.
26) What should potential applicants do now, before the full FOA is released?
The notice is intended to allow early planning. It specifically mentions that potential applicants can begin planning, building partnerships, and preparing technical concepts ahead of the formal FOA release.
27) Where will the definitive requirements be published?
The definitive requirements (application instructions, topic areas, eligibility conditions, and any cost-share or teaming requirements) are expected to be published in the full FOA, DE-FOA-0002934, titled "Underserved and Indigenous Community Microgrids."
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| Notice of Intent to Issue Funding Opportunity Announcement No. DE-FOA-0002936 - Industrial Decarbonization and Emissions Reduction Demonstration-to-Deployment Apply for DE FOA 0002935 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002935 Agency: Department of Energy, Headquarters Category: Energy Funding Amount: $500,000,000 |
| AMMTO-BTO and OE FY22 Multi-Topic FOA Apply for DE FOA 0002864 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002864 Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: $10,000,000 |
| Inflation Reduction Act (IRA): Request for Information (RFI): HOME EFFICIENCY & ELECTRIFICATION REBATE PROGRAMS Apply for DE FOA 0002981 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002981 Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Notice of Intent to issue Funding Opportunity Announcement No. DE-FOA-0002974, Clean Energy Technology Deployment on Tribal Lands - 2023 Apply for DE FOA 0002974 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002974 Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office Funding Opportunity Announcement in Support of Hydrogen Shot Apply for DE FOA 0002920 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002920 Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: $6,000,000 |
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| FY23 Reducing Agricultural Carbon Intensity and Protecting Algal Crops (RACIPAC) Apply for DE FOA 0002910 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002910 Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) Pilot Demonstrations Apply for DE FOA 0002826 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002826 Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: $25,000,000 |
| Water Research and Development for Oil and Gas Produced Water and Coal Combustion Residuals Wastewater Associated with Coal Power Plants Apply for DE FOA 0002796 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002796 Agency: Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: $3,275,000 |
| Large Wind Turbine Materials and Manufacturing Apply for DE FOA 0002960 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002960 Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| This is a Notice of Intent to issue Funding Opportunity Announcement DE-FOA-0002969 Apply for DE FOA 0002968 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002968 Agency: Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Advanced Energy Manufacturing and Recycling Grant Program Section 40209 Apply for DE FOA 0002907 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002907 Agency: Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: $100,000,000 |
| Clean Energy Technology Deployment on Tribal Lands - 2023 Apply for DE FOA 0002975 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002975 Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Carbon Capture Demonstration Projects Program Funding Opportunity Announcement Apply for DE FOA 0002962 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002962 Agency: Department of Energy, Headquarters Category: Energy Funding Amount: $350,000,000 |
| Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Carbon Capture Large-Scale Pilot Projects Funding Opportunity Announcement Apply for DE FOA 0002963 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002963 Agency: Department of Energy, Headquarters Category: Energy Funding Amount: $136,000,000 |
| Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: Energy Improvement in Rural or Remote Areas Funding Opportunity Announcement Apply for DE FOA 0002970 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002970 Agency: Department of Energy, Headquarters Category: Energy Funding Amount: $100,000,000 |
| Industrial Decarbonization and Emissions Reduction Demonstration-to-Deployment Funding Opportunity Announcement Apply for DE FOA 0002936 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002936 Agency: Department of Energy, Headquarters Category: Energy Funding Amount: $500,000,000 |
| Nuclear Legislative Working Group (NLWG) Apply for DE FOA 0002984 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002984 Agency: Department of Energy, Idaho Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Nuclear Energy Tribal Working Group (NETWG) Apply for DE FOA 0002983 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002983 Agency: Department of Energy, Idaho Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
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