The Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Science has released a $352 million Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to accelerate breakthroughs in critical minerals, quantum computing and advanced manufacturing through fundamental energy technology research. New and renewal applications are due by July 1.
Universities, DOE National Laboratories, nonprofit organizations and private sector companies will be eligible to apply to the DOE’s Energy Frontier Research Centers (EFRC) program. The initiative will distribute funds over a four-year period, allocating approximately $88 million annually. Awards are expected to range between $3 million and $4.5 million each year.
Applicable research projects must address scientific challenges under one or more of the following topics to be considered for an award:
- Unconventional computing paradigms.
- Artificial intelligence and machine learning for materials and chemistry.
- Complex chemical systems.
- Critical minerals and materials.
- Nuclear energy science.
- Subsurface science.
- Electrical energy storage.
- Advanced manufacturing.
- Microelectronics.
- Quantum systems and quantum computing.
The NOFO explicitly only covers fundamental scientific research for next generation energy technologies as opposed to applied research or technology development activities. Basic research must be used to advance understanding rather than provide solutions and create commercial opportunities. The DOE reserves the right to deny applicants that advance research contributing to current commercial activity or customer needs.
Applicant institutions may submit up to three pre-applications or applications as the lead institution. There is no limit to how many applications an institution may appear as a subrecipient. In addition, an individual may not be named as a principal investigator on more than one application.
Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko from Pexels
For more of the latest from the expansive government marketplace, check Government Market News daily for new stories, insights and profiles from public sector professionals. Check out our national contracting newsletter here.
