Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0002794
This opportunity is a Department of Energy (DOE) Request for Information (RFI) focused on shaping a Critical Materials Research, Development, Demonstration, and Commercialization (RDDandCA) Program. It is not a grant solicitation and does not accept applications or make awards. Instead, DOE is using the RFI to gather input from the public and stakeholders on what the program should prioritize, how it should be managed, and how DOE should partner with industry, academia, national labs, communities, and other organizations. The effort is tied to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), specifically section 41003(c) (Critical Material Innovation, Efficiency, and Alternatives) and section 41003(d) (Critical Material Supply Chain Research Facility), and it is authorized under the Energy Act of 2020 (sections 7002(g) and 7002(h)). In practical terms, DOE is trying to design or refine a coordinated federal program that strengthens U.S. capabilities across critical minerals and materials, from early research through scale-up and commercialization.
A central theme of the RFI is integration: DOE is looking for guidance on how to align and connect critical materials work funded through DOE annual appropriations with BIL-driven activities. The notice explicitly references FY 2022 directed appropriations and FY 2023 requested appropriations, suggesting DOE wants a unified strategy rather than separate, disconnected initiatives. Respondents are essentially being asked to help DOE identify the most important research and development gaps, the right demonstration and commercialization pathways, and the mechanisms that would make federal investments more effective in building resilient domestic supply chains for critical minerals and materials that are important for energy technologies.
The RFI asks for input in several major areas. First, it seeks recommendations on the overall priorities and implementation strategy for the Critical Materials RDDandCA Program, including how DOE should structure the program, manage it over time, and create effective partnering opportunities. Second, it focuses specifically on BIL 41003(c), which covers innovation, efficiency, and alternatives. That includes ideas such as improving how critical materials are produced or processed, reducing material intensity through efficiency, developing substitutes that reduce reliance on constrained materials, and generally advancing technology options that lower supply risk while meeting performance needs for clean energy and other strategic sectors. Third, it asks about BIL 41003(d), which concerns a Critical Material Supply Chain Research Facility. DOE is seeking input on what that facility should do, what capabilities it should have, how it should be used, and how it should fit into the broader innovation ecosystem (for example, how it could support pilot-scale work, testing, validation, process development, recycling R and D, data generation, and collaboration between national labs and industry).
Beyond technical priorities, DOE is also explicitly requesting input on community benefits, job quality, and equity. The RFI highlights community and labor engagement, the creation of quality jobs, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA). It also references the Justice40 Initiative, signaling that DOE wants to understand how critical materials investments can deliver meaningful benefits to disadvantaged communities and how project planning and program design can incorporate equity and community outcomes from the start. This part of the RFI is important because it indicates DOE is treating workforce and community impacts as core program design elements, not afterthoughts, and it invites recommendations on what strong labor standards, engagement practices, and accountability measures should look like in future DOE-supported activities.
Finally, the RFI emphasizes market adoption, scale-up, and long-term industry or sector sustainability. DOE is looking for feedback on the barriers that prevent critical materials innovations from moving out of the lab and into real supply chains, and what federal actions could help bridge that gap. This can include topics like scaling manufacturing processes, qualifying materials for end users, building reliable demand signals, improving bankability, reducing technical and commercial risk, and supporting demonstrations that prove performance and cost at relevant scale. The inclusion of commercialization and sustainability indicates DOE is thinking beyond discovery research and is looking for an end-to-end approach that results in durable domestic capability and competitive industries.
From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is listed under DOE (Golden Field Office) with an unrestricted eligibility note, meaning any entity could submit input to the RFI unless the full text set additional limitations. The opportunity number is DE FOA 0002794 and it was posted August 9, 2022 with an original response deadline of September 9, 2022. The listing includes fields like an award ceiling and expected awards, but since this is an RFI and not a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), there are no awards associated with it. DOE also notes that it may issue a future FOA informed by the responses, but it may also choose not to do so, and there is no guarantee a funding solicitation will result.
In short, this RFI is DOE asking the public to help design and prioritize a federal critical materials program that spans research through commercialization, aligns multiple funding streams, potentially establishes or leverages a supply chain research facility, and embeds job quality, equity, and Justice40 considerations into program execution while keeping a strong focus on scaling technologies and achieving real market adoption.Apply for DE FOA 0002794
- The Department of Energy, Golden Field Office in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Request for Information on the Department of Energy’s Critical Materials Research, Development, Demonstration, and Commercialization Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.086.
- This funding opportunity was created on Aug 09, 2022.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 09, 2022. (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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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is this DOE opportunity?
This opportunity is a Department of Energy (DOE) Request for Information (RFI) about designing and shaping a Critical Materials Research, Development, Demonstration, and Commercialization (RDDandCA) Program. It is a request for public input, not a funding solicitation.
Is this a grant or funding opportunity I can apply to?
No. This is not a grant solicitation and it does not accept applications or make awards. DOE is collecting information and feedback to inform how it may design a future program and potentially a future funding opportunity.
What is the goal of the RFI?
DOE is seeking input on what the Critical Materials RDDandCA Program should prioritize, how it should be structured and managed over time, and how DOE should partner with stakeholders to strengthen U.S. critical minerals and materials capabilities from early research through scale-up and commercialization.
What program is DOE trying to shape?
The RFI is focused on shaping a coordinated federal Critical Materials RDDandCA Program that supports research, development, demonstration, and commercialization activities for critical minerals and materials that are important for energy technologies and resilient domestic supply chains.
How does this RFI relate to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL)?
The effort is tied to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), specifically section 41003(c) (Critical Material Innovation, Efficiency, and Alternatives) and section 41003(d) (Critical Material Supply Chain Research Facility).
What other legal authorities are referenced for this effort?
The RFI references authorization under the Energy Act of 2020, specifically sections 7002(g) and 7002(h).
What does DOE mean by an integrated approach in this RFI?
A central theme is integration. DOE is looking for guidance on how to align and connect critical materials work funded through DOE annual appropriations with BIL-driven activities, aiming for a unified strategy rather than separate, disconnected initiatives.
What funding years does DOE reference when discussing alignment?
The notice explicitly references FY 2022 directed appropriations and FY 2023 requested appropriations, indicating DOE is thinking about how to coordinate activities across these funding streams.
What topics is DOE asking the public to comment on?
DOE requests input on overall program priorities and implementation strategy, how the program should be structured and managed, partnership models, priorities under BIL 41003(c), and the design and role of a supply chain research facility under BIL 41003(d). DOE also requests input on community benefits, job quality, equity, and commercialization barriers and pathways.
What kinds of recommendations is DOE seeking about program design and implementation?
DOE is looking for recommendations on how to structure the Critical Materials RDDandCA Program, how to manage it over time, and how to create effective partnering opportunities with industry, academia, national labs, communities, and other organizations.
What is BIL section 41003(c) focused on?
BIL 41003(c) covers Critical Material Innovation, Efficiency, and Alternatives. DOE is seeking ideas such as improving production or processing, reducing material intensity through efficiency, developing substitutes that reduce reliance on constrained materials, and advancing technology options that reduce supply risk while meeting performance needs.
What does DOE mean by "alternatives" under BIL 41003(c)?
In this context, "alternatives" refers to substitute materials or technology options that can reduce reliance on constrained critical materials while still meeting performance requirements for clean energy and other strategic sectors.
What is BIL section 41003(d) focused on?
BIL 41003(d) concerns a Critical Material Supply Chain Research Facility. DOE is seeking input on what the facility should do, what capabilities it should have, how it should be used, and how it should fit into the broader innovation ecosystem.
What kinds of capabilities is DOE considering for the supply chain research facility?
The RFI mentions potential roles such as supporting pilot-scale work, testing, validation, process development, recycling research and development, data generation, and collaboration between national labs and industry.
Is DOE only interested in basic research?
No. The RFI emphasizes an end-to-end approach, spanning early research through demonstration, scale-up, and commercialization, with the goal of achieving market adoption and durable domestic capability.
What barriers is DOE trying to address related to commercialization?
DOE is seeking feedback on barriers that prevent critical materials innovations from moving from the lab into real supply chains, including challenges tied to scaling manufacturing processes, qualifying materials for end users, building reliable demand signals, improving bankability, reducing technical and commercial risk, and supporting demonstrations that prove performance and cost at relevant scale.
How does DOE address community benefits and equity in this RFI?
DOE explicitly requests input on community benefits, job quality, and equity. The RFI highlights community and labor engagement, the creation of quality jobs, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) as core program design considerations.
What is the Justice40 connection mentioned in the RFI?
The RFI references the Justice40 Initiative, signaling DOE wants guidance on how critical materials investments can deliver meaningful benefits to disadvantaged communities and how equity and community outcomes can be incorporated into program planning and design from the start.
Does the RFI mention labor standards or workforce expectations?
Yes. DOE invites recommendations on job quality, strong labor standards, community and labor engagement practices, and accountability measures that could be embedded in future DOE-supported activities.
Who can respond to this RFI?
The opportunity listing notes unrestricted eligibility, meaning any entity could submit input unless the full RFI text includes additional limitations.
Which DOE office is associated with this RFI?
The RFI is listed under the Department of Energy (DOE), Golden Field Office.
What is the opportunity number for this RFI?
The opportunity number is DE FOA 0002794.
When was this RFI posted and when were responses due?
It was posted on August 9, 2022, with an original response deadline of September 9, 2022.
Why does the listing show fields like award ceiling or expected awards if this is an RFI?
Even though the listing includes common grant-related fields, this is an RFI and not a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA). There are no awards associated with this RFI.
Will DOE definitely release a future funding opportunity (FOA) based on this RFI?
No. DOE notes it may issue a future FOA informed by responses, but it may also choose not to do so. There is no guarantee that a funding solicitation will result.
What is the main takeaway for organizations that expected funding?
The main takeaway is that this is a planning and information-gathering step. Organizations cannot apply for funding under this RFI, but they can use it as a chance to influence DOE priorities, program structure, partnership approaches, and commercialization pathways for critical materials.
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| Notice of Intent to Issue Funding Opportunity Announcement No. DE-FOA-0002793 Apply for DE FOA 0002818 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002818 Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DE-FOA-0002830: Request for Information on Barriers and Pathways to Integrating Onsite Clean Energy Technologies in the Industrial Sector Apply for DE FOA 0002830 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002830 Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NOTICE OF INTENT (NOI) TO ISSUE THREE BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW (BIL): THREE FOAs FOR HYDROPOWER Apply for DE FOA 0002773 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002773 Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Funding Opportunity in Support of the Hydrogen Shot and a University Research Consortium on Grid Resilience Apply for DE FOA 0002792 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002792 Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: $20,000,000 |
| Notice of Intent (NOI) for Funding Opportunity Announcement DE-FOA0002801 Apply for DE FOA 0002834 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002834 Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Water Research and Development for Produced Water and Legacy Wastewaters Associated with Thermal Power Plants Apply for DE FOA 0002795 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002795 Agency: Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Request for Information on Collection, Transportation, Sorting, Processing, and Second Life Applications for End of Life Lithium Ion Batteries Apply for DE FOA 0002833 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002833 Agency: Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BIL Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships ( GRIP) Apply for DE FOA 0002740 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002740 Agency: Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: $250,000,000 |
| Request for Information on BIL– Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Apply for DE FOA 0002827 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002827 Agency: Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization FOA Apply for DE FOA 0002804 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002804 Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: $10,000,000 |
| BIL: CARBON CAPTURE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM, FRONT-END ENGINEERING AND DESIGN FOR CARBON DIOXIDE (CO2) TRANSPORT Apply for DE FOA 0002730 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002730 Agency: Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| BIL: Carbon Capture Demonstration Projects Program FRONT-END ENGINEERING DESIGN STUDIES FOR INTEGRATED CARBON CAPTURE, TRANSPORT and STORAGE SYSTEMS Apply for DE FOA 0002738 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002738 Agency: Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: $12,500,000 |
| Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: Additional Clean Hydrogen Programs (Section 40314): Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) Apply for DE FOA 0002779 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002779 Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: $1,250,000,000 |
| Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) Marine Energy Systems Innovation at Sea Apply for DE FOA 0002793 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002793 Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: $2,125,000 |
| Notice of Intent to Issue Funding Opportunity Announcement No. DE-FOA-0002823 Apply for DE FOA 0002860 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002860 Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Request for Information on Request for Information on Electric Vehicle No-Charge Events, including Interoperability Apply for DE FOA 0002797 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002797 Agency: Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| This is a Notice of Intent to issue Funding Opportunity Announcement No. DE-FOA-0002854 Apply for DE FOA 0002846 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002846 Agency: Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Notice of Intent to issue FY22 Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies—Building Technologies Office Multi-topic Funding Opportunity Announcement Apply for DE FOA 0002865 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002865 Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: $10,000,000 |
| Performance Data for Solar Photovoltaic Systems: Acquisition, Access, and Sharing RFI Apply for DE FOA 0002876 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002876 Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Notice of Intent to issue DE-FOA-0002828 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) FOA to Address Key Deployment Challenges for Offshore, Land-Based, and Distributed Wind Apply for DE FOA 0002840 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002840 Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: $9,700,000 |
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