Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0001850
The Department of Energy, through the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), released a discretionary funding opportunity (DE FOA 0001850) focused on the preliminary design and techno-economic analysis of megawatt-electric (MWe) class solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) power systems. In practical terms, this opportunity is aimed at moving SOFC technology closer to commercial readiness by funding work that defines credible system designs at the multi-megawatt scale and then rigorously evaluates how those designs perform economically and technically. The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, which typically means DOE expects more active involvement than a standard grant, with regular technical engagement and project oversight as the work progresses.
The SOFC program mission described in the announcement centers on enabling efficient, low-cost electricity generation from two broad categories of systems. The first category is "2nd Generation" natural gas-fueled distributed generation (DG) SOFC systems, along with modular coal-fueled systems. These are generally smaller, modular approaches intended to be deployable in more decentralized settings while still benefiting from SOFCs high electrical efficiency and fuel flexibility. The second category is more ambitious: "transformational" utility-scale systems fueled by either coal or natural gas and designed to integrate carbon capture and sequestration (CCS). That utility-scale focus reflects DOE interest in pairing high-efficiency electrochemical power conversion with pathways to deep carbon reduction, especially where capturing CO2 is a priority.
The work supported under this opportunity is positioned within DOE's broader Clean Coal and Carbon Management Research Program (CCCMRP). The emphasis is on collaboration between research and development that tackles specific technical and economic barriers to commercial viability, and the parallel development and deployment activities that help validate proposed solutions at the power-system level. That framing signals that DOE is not only looking for conceptual designs, but also for designs and analyses grounded in realistic engineering assumptions, supply chains, and operational constraints, with enough detail to credibly inform later-stage demonstrations and investment decisions.
From a funding standpoint, the opportunity listed an award ceiling of $23,000,000 and anticipated making about six awards. Eligibility was described as unrestricted, meaning it was open to a wide range of entity types (for example, private companies, universities, nonprofits, and others), subject to any additional eligibility clarifications that may have appeared in the full FOA text. The program is associated with CFDA number 81.089, and the activity category is energy, science and technology, and other research and development. The FOA was created on March 7, 2018, with an original closing date of May 7, 2018, though applicants were directed to consult the full FOA for the precise application due date details and any phased submission requirements.
Overall, the opportunity can be understood as DOE/NETL investing in the front-end engineering and economic case-building needed to scale SOFC systems into the MWe class, with particular attention to natural gas distributed generation, modular coal configurations, and large utility-scale plants that incorporate CCS. The core intent is to reduce uncertainty around performance, cost, and integration challenges early enough that subsequent pilot and demonstration projects can proceed with clearer designs, stronger business cases, and fewer surprises.Apply for DE FOA 0001850
- 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 "Preliminary Design and Techno-Economic Analysis of MWe-Class Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Systems" 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 Mar 07, 2018.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 07, 2018 Please refer to the FOA application due date information contained in the full FOA announcement.. (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 $23,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 6 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 a Department of Energy (DOE) funding opportunity released through the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) as a discretionary Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) identified as DE FOA 0001850. It supports work focused on the preliminary design and techno-economic analysis of megawatt-electric (MWe) class solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) power systems.
What is the main goal of DE FOA 0001850?
The goal is to move SOFC technology closer to commercial readiness by funding teams to (1) define credible multi-megawatt SOFC system designs and (2) rigorously evaluate those designs from both technical and economic perspectives. The intent is to reduce uncertainty around performance, cost, and integration challenges early, so later pilot and demonstration projects can proceed with stronger designs and business cases.
What types of activities are being funded?
The FOA focuses on front-end engineering style work at the system level, specifically preliminary design and techno-economic analysis (TEA) for MWe-class SOFC power systems. The emphasis is on realistic, defensible system designs and analyses that reflect practical engineering assumptions, operational constraints, and pathways toward deployment.
What scale of SOFC systems does the FOA target?
The target scale is megawatt-electric (MWe) class SOFC power systems, meaning multi-megawatt system designs rather than small laboratory or small pilot-scale concepts.
What fuels and system categories are in scope?
The FOA describes two broad SOFC program mission categories:
- "2nd Generation" natural gas-fueled distributed generation (DG) SOFC systems, and modular coal-fueled systems, generally smaller modular approaches suitable for more decentralized deployment.
- "Transformational" utility-scale systems fueled by coal or natural gas and designed to integrate carbon capture and sequestration (CCS).
Is carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) relevant to this FOA?
Yes. For the "transformational" utility-scale system category, DOE highlights designs that integrate CCS. This reflects interest in pairing high-efficiency electrochemical power conversion with deep carbon reduction pathways where CO2 capture is a priority.
What does "techno-economic analysis" mean in the context of this FOA?
Based on the description provided, techno-economic analysis here refers to a rigorous evaluation of both technical performance and economic outcomes for credible multi-megawatt SOFC system designs. The FOA framing suggests analyses should be grounded in realistic engineering assumptions and operational constraints so the results can inform later-stage demonstrations and investment decisions.
How is this FOA positioned within DOE programs?
The opportunity is positioned within DOE's broader Clean Coal and Carbon Management Research Program (CCCMRP). The emphasis is on collaboration that addresses technical and economic barriers to commercial viability and supports system-level validation of proposed solutions.
What is the funding instrument?
The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement.
What does a cooperative agreement imply for awardees?
A cooperative agreement typically involves more active DOE involvement than a standard grant. The description indicates DOE expects regular technical engagement and project oversight as work progresses.
What is the maximum award size (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling listed is $23,000,000.
How many awards were anticipated?
Approximately six awards were anticipated.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility was described as unrestricted, meaning it was open to a wide range of entity types (for example, private companies, universities, nonprofits, and others). Applicants were directed to review the full FOA for any additional eligibility clarifications.
Which agency and lab are associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is from the Department of Energy (DOE) through the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL).
What is the CFDA number associated with this program?
The program is associated with CFDA 81.089.
What is the activity/category area for this FOA?
The activity category is listed as energy, science and technology, and other research and development.
When was the FOA created and when did it close?
The FOA was created on March 7, 2018 and had an original closing date of May 7, 2018.
Are there any application due date details applicants needed to confirm?
Yes. Applicants were directed to consult the full FOA for the precise application due date details and for any phased submission requirements.
What kinds of outcomes is DOE trying to achieve with this work?
The stated intent is to produce credible designs and analyses that reduce uncertainty around system performance, costs, and integration challenges. This front-end design and economic case-building is meant to support later pilot and demonstration projects with clearer designs, stronger business cases, and fewer surprises.
Is the FOA focused more on conceptual ideas or realistic system designs?
The framing emphasizes designs and analyses grounded in realistic engineering assumptions, supply chains, and operational constraints. That signals an expectation beyond high-level concepts, aiming instead for credible system definitions suitable for informing later-stage decisions.
Does the FOA emphasize distributed generation, utility-scale plants, or both?
Both. It includes natural gas-fueled distributed generation SOFC systems and modular coal-fueled systems on one end, and "transformational" utility-scale systems (coal or natural gas) with CCS integration on the other.
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