Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0003230
The Notice of Intent (NOI) titled "Distribution Communication and Control Technologies Research, Development, and Demonstration" (DE-FOA-0003230) signals that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is considering issuing a future Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), expected around January 2024, under the Office of Electricity (OE). The planned FOA (referenced as DE-FOA-0003198) would focus on research, development, and demonstration efforts that strengthen communication and control technologies used on the electric distribution grid. The overall policy aim is to advance DOE OE priorities tied to operating the grid in a way that is more reliable, resilient, secure, and affordable, with particular attention to the communications layer that underpins modern distribution operations.
At its core, the opportunity is framed around the idea that secure, dependable communications are not optional for today’s distribution systems. Distribution utilities increasingly rely on interconnected devices, sensors, automation, and remotely operated controls, which all depend on communication networks to function correctly. DOE is emphasizing that strong communications capabilities are central to routine reliability as well as to handling emergencies: they enable faster response to disruptions, help with recovery after outages, and reduce the risk that natural disasters or malicious actors could interfere with grid operations. In practical terms, the kinds of projects anticipated under a FOA like this typically revolve around improving how data moves across distribution networks, how control signals are protected and validated, and how utilities maintain operational visibility and command during abnormal conditions.
Administratively, this is a discretionary federal funding opportunity expected to use cooperative agreements as the award instrument, meaning DOE would likely anticipate substantial involvement in the project over its life rather than operating purely as a hands-off grantmaker. The activity category is science and technology and other research and development, and the CFDA (assistance listing) number is 81.122. Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, which generally suggests a broad range of potential applicants may be able to apply if a FOA is issued, such as private companies, universities, nonprofits, utilities, national laboratories, state and local entities, or teams of partners. The NOI is associated with the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) as the named agency entity in the posting.
Several details remain unknown because this document is only a notice of intent and not the actual FOA. The notice explicitly states DOE may issue a FOA as described, may issue a FOA that differs significantly from what is described, or may choose not to issue any FOA at all. All information provided is subject to change without notice. There is also no active application process at this stage: DOE is not accepting concept papers or full applications yet, and it is not taking questions during the NOI phase. If the FOA is issued, it would provide the official submission instructions, deadlines, topic areas, evaluation criteria, requirements for teaming, cost share expectations (if any), and the process for submitting questions.
The source data attached to the NOI includes a listed original closing date of January 25, 2024, but since no applications are being accepted under the NOI itself, that date should be treated as informational or placeholder until the FOA is released with firm submission deadlines. The posting also shows an award ceiling of 2 and expected awards field present but not clearly populated with a specific count, reinforcing that final funding levels, number of awards, and project scope will only be confirmed in the FOA if it is ultimately issued.Apply for DE FOA 0003230
- The National Energy Technology Laboratory in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NOI: Distribution Communication and Control Technologies Research, Development, and Demonstration”" 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 2023-11-20.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-01-25. (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.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is this opportunity?
This is a Notice of Intent (NOI) titled "Distribution Communication and Control Technologies Research, Development, and Demonstration" (DE-FOA-0003230). It indicates that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is considering issuing a future Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) related to distribution-grid communications and control technology R&D and demonstrations.
Is this an active funding announcement I can apply to right now?
No. The information provided is only an NOI and not the actual FOA. DOE is not accepting concept papers or full applications at this stage.
What is the purpose of the planned FOA?
The planned FOA (referenced as DE-FOA-0003198) would focus on research, development, and demonstration efforts intended to strengthen communication and control technologies used on the electric distribution grid. The policy aim is to support a grid that is more reliable, resilient, secure, and affordable, with special emphasis on the communications layer that enables modern distribution operations.
Which DOE office is associated with this planned funding?
The NOI indicates the future FOA is expected to be issued under DOE's Office of Electricity (OE).
Which agency entity is named in the posting?
The NOI is associated with the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) as the named agency entity in the posting.
When is the FOA expected to be released?
The NOI suggests the FOA is expected around January 2024. However, as an NOI, this timing is not guaranteed and may change.
Does DOE guarantee it will issue a FOA?
No. The notice explicitly states DOE may issue a FOA as described, may issue a FOA that differs significantly, or may choose not to issue any FOA at all. All information is subject to change without notice.
What kinds of projects does DOE anticipate under a FOA like this?
Based on the description in the NOI, anticipated projects would likely address improving how data moves across distribution networks, protecting and validating control signals, and helping utilities maintain operational visibility and command during abnormal conditions. The emphasis is on secure, dependable communications that support both routine reliability and emergency response and recovery.
Why is DOE emphasizing communications for distribution systems?
The NOI explains that distribution utilities increasingly rely on interconnected devices, sensors, automation, and remotely operated controls, all of which depend on communications networks. DOE highlights communications as central to reliability, faster response to disruptions, recovery after outages, and reducing the risk that natural disasters or malicious actors could interfere with grid operations.
What type of funding instrument is expected?
The NOI indicates the opportunity is expected to use cooperative agreements as the award instrument.
What does it mean that the award instrument is a cooperative agreement?
In this NOI, a cooperative agreement is described as an arrangement where DOE would likely anticipate substantial involvement in the project over its life, rather than acting as a purely hands-off grantmaker.
What is the activity category for this opportunity?
The activity category is listed as science and technology and other research and development.
What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number?
The Assistance Listing (CFDA) number provided is 81.122.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed as unrestricted. This generally suggests a broad range of potential applicants may be able to apply if a FOA is issued, potentially including private companies, universities, nonprofits, utilities, national laboratories, state and local entities, or teams of partners (as permitted by the eventual FOA).
Are teaming arrangements or partnerships required?
The NOI does not specify teaming requirements. If a FOA is issued, it would provide official requirements for teaming (if any).
Is there cost share?
The NOI does not confirm any cost share expectations. If a FOA is issued, it would specify whether cost share is required and what the expectations are.
What are the application deadlines?
No submission deadlines are provided for applications because DOE is not accepting applications under the NOI. The source data attached to the NOI lists an original closing date of January 25, 2024, but the NOI states there is no active application process at this stage, so this date should be treated as informational or a placeholder until a FOA is released with firm deadlines.
Can I submit a concept paper now?
No. The NOI states DOE is not accepting concept papers at this stage.
Can I submit a full application now?
No. The NOI states DOE is not accepting full applications at this stage.
Can I ask DOE questions about the opportunity during the NOI phase?
No. The NOI states DOE is not taking questions during the NOI phase.
Where will the official submission instructions and requirements be provided?
If the FOA is issued, it would provide the official submission instructions, deadlines, topic areas, evaluation criteria, requirements for teaming, cost share expectations (if any), and the process for submitting questions.
What is known about the funding amount and number of awards?
The posting shows an award ceiling field with a value of 2 and an expected awards field that is present but not clearly populated with a specific count. The NOI also emphasizes that final funding levels, number of awards, and project scope would only be confirmed in the FOA if it is ultimately issued.
What are the key focus areas mentioned in the NOI?
The NOI centers on strengthening distribution-grid communication and control technologies, with an emphasis on secure and dependable communications that support operational reliability, resilience, security, affordability, faster disruption response, and improved recovery after outages.
What FOA number should applicants watch for if DOE moves forward?
The NOI references a planned FOA as DE-FOA-0003198. The NOI itself is DE-FOA-0003230.
Is the information in the NOI final?
No. The NOI states the information may change without notice and that DOE could issue a FOA that differs significantly from what is described, or not issue one at all.
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