Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0002180
The Department of Energy (DOE), through the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), released a draft Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) titled "Design Development and System Integration Design Studies for Coal FIRST Concepts" (Funding Opportunity Number: DE-FOA-0002180). This opportunity is set up as a discretionary research and development program and would be funded through cooperative agreements, meaning DOE expects to be substantially involved during project execution rather than acting only as a pass-through funder. The FOA was issued on May 18, 2020, with a closing date of August 18, 2020, and it references CFDA 81.089. Although the FOA is presented as a draft notice, DOE explicitly invited public comments and questions up to June 5, 2020, with submission instructions provided in the FOA's Section VII.
At a high level, the FOA is aimed at moving Coal FIRST power plant concepts closer to real-world deployment by funding design maturity work and integrated engineering studies. Coal FIRST refers to advanced coal-based power systems that are intended to be more flexible and responsive to grid needs, while also improving performance and reducing environmental impacts compared with traditional coal plants. Rather than funding basic science, this FOA focuses on design development and front-end planning work that can support future investment and implementation decisions.
Funded projects are expected to complete four major tasks for a selected Coal FIRST plant concept. First is design development, which typically means advancing the technical design, narrowing key equipment selections, refining process assumptions, and improving the overall readiness of the chosen concept. Second is a host site evaluation paired with an Environmental Information Volume (EIV). This component is meant to examine where the plant could realistically be sited (or retrofitted) and to compile environmental and siting-related information that would inform permitting and stakeholder review. Third is an investment case analysis, which generally involves assessing project economics, financing considerations, risk factors, and the overall business case for building the plant. Fourth is a system integration design study described as a front-end engineering design (FEED) study, which is intended to pull the design into an integrated, engineering-driven package that accounts for how subsystems interact, how the plant would be built and operated, and what performance and cost outcomes are expected when the whole system is considered together.
Applicants are asked to propose projects tied to one of four Areas of Interest (AOIs), each representing a different Coal FIRST concept. AOI 1 is a Flexible Ultra Supercritical (USC) coal-fired power plant, emphasizing high-efficiency steam conditions and operational flexibility. AOI 2 is a Pressurized Fluidized Bed Combustor (PFBC) paired with a supercritical steam cycle, combining pressurized combustion with an advanced steam cycle to improve efficiency and emissions performance. AOI 3 is a hybrid concept that integrates a natural gas turbine with a USC coal boiler power plant, reflecting an approach that blends coal and gas technologies to improve operational flexibility and potentially optimize performance across different operating modes. AOI 4 focuses on flexible gasification of coal and biomass to generate electricity while also producing a carbon-free hydrogen co-product, positioning the plant as both a power generator and a hydrogen production facility.
DOE indicates that proposed projects may be based on either retrofit (brownfield) situations, where an existing site or facility is upgraded or repurposed, or greenfield applications, where the concept is designed for a new site. That flexibility is important because it allows teams to tailor proposals to realistic deployment pathways: retrofits can reduce siting and infrastructure hurdles, while greenfield projects can optimize the layout and integration without legacy constraints.
In terms of scale and competitiveness, the FOA lists an award ceiling of $81,000,000 and anticipates making around three awards. Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning the opportunity is broadly open to different entity types, subject to any additional eligibility clarifications that may be included in the FOA text. Overall, the opportunity is structured to produce detailed, investment-relevant, and integration-focused engineering outputs that could serve as the bridge between conceptual designs and future decisions to build or demonstrate Coal FIRST systems.Apply for DE FOA 0002180
- The Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory in the energy, environment, natural resources, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Design Development and System Integration Design Studies for Coal FIRST Concepts" 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 May 18, 2020.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 18, 2020. (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 $81,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 3 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.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this funding opportunity?
The draft Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is titled "Design Development and System Integration Design Studies for Coal FIRST Concepts."
What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is DE-FOA-0002180.
Which agency is issuing this FOA?
The opportunity is issued by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) through the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL).
Is this a final FOA or a draft?
It is presented as a draft notice. DOE explicitly invited public comments and questions on the draft.
Were public comments accepted, and what was the deadline?
Yes. DOE invited public comments and questions up to June 5, 2020.
How were comments and questions supposed to be submitted?
The submission instructions were provided in Section VII of the FOA.
What type of program is this (research, deployment, etc.)?
This is described as a discretionary research and development (R&D) program focused on design development and integrated engineering studies rather than basic science.
What funding instrument is DOE expecting to use?
The FOA would be funded through cooperative agreements.
What does a cooperative agreement imply for DOE involvement?
DOE expects to be substantially involved during project execution, rather than acting only as a pass-through funder.
What is the purpose of this FOA?
The FOA aims to move Coal FIRST power plant concepts closer to real-world deployment by funding design maturity work and integrated engineering studies that support future investment and implementation decisions.
What is Coal FIRST in the context of this FOA?
Coal FIRST refers to advanced coal-based power systems intended to be more flexible and responsive to grid needs, while improving performance and reducing environmental impacts compared with traditional coal plants.
What is the issue date and closing date?
The FOA was issued on May 18, 2020, with a closing date of August 18, 2020.
What CFDA number is referenced?
The FOA references CFDA 81.089.
What kind of work is DOE trying to fund (high-level)?
The FOA focuses on advancing selected Coal FIRST plant concepts through design development, host site evaluation and environmental compilation, investment case analysis, and a system integration design study described as a front-end engineering design (FEED) study.
What are the major required tasks or deliverables described in the FOA?
Funded projects are expected to complete four major tasks for a selected Coal FIRST plant concept: (1) design development, (2) host site evaluation paired with an Environmental Information Volume (EIV), (3) investment case analysis, and (4) a system integration design study described as a FEED study.
What does "design development" mean in this FOA?
Design development generally means advancing the technical design, narrowing key equipment selections, refining process assumptions, and improving the overall readiness of the chosen concept.
What is a host site evaluation and what is it used for?
A host site evaluation is meant to examine where the plant could realistically be sited (or retrofitted) and to gather siting-related information that can inform future permitting and stakeholder review.
What is an Environmental Information Volume (EIV)?
The Environmental Information Volume (EIV) is described as a compilation of environmental and siting-related information intended to inform permitting and stakeholder review.
What is included in the investment case analysis?
The investment case analysis generally involves assessing project economics, financing considerations, risk factors, and the overall business case for building the plant.
What is the system integration design study (FEED) in this FOA?
The system integration design study is described as a front-end engineering design (FEED) study intended to produce an integrated engineering-driven package that accounts for subsystem interactions, build and operations considerations, and expected performance and cost outcomes for the complete system.
What are the Areas of Interest (AOIs) an applicant can propose under?
Applicants are asked to propose projects tied to one of four Areas of Interest (AOIs), each representing a different Coal FIRST concept.
What is AOI 1?
AOI 1 is a Flexible Ultra Supercritical (USC) coal-fired power plant, emphasizing high-efficiency steam conditions and operational flexibility.
What is AOI 2?
AOI 2 is a Pressurized Fluidized Bed Combustor (PFBC) paired with a supercritical steam cycle, combining pressurized combustion with an advanced steam cycle to improve efficiency and emissions performance.
What is AOI 3?
AOI 3 is a hybrid concept integrating a natural gas turbine with a USC coal boiler power plant, blending coal and gas technologies to improve operational flexibility and potentially optimize performance across different operating modes.
What is AOI 4?
AOI 4 focuses on flexible gasification of coal and biomass to generate electricity while also producing a carbon-free hydrogen co-product, positioning the plant as both a power generator and a hydrogen production facility.
Are retrofit (brownfield) projects allowed, or only new builds?
DOE indicates that proposed projects may be based on either retrofit (brownfield) situations or greenfield applications.
What is the difference between brownfield and greenfield applications as described here?
Brownfield refers to upgrading or repurposing an existing site or facility, while greenfield refers to designing the concept for a new site. The FOA notes that retrofits can reduce siting and infrastructure hurdles, while greenfield projects can optimize layout and integration without legacy constraints.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The FOA lists an award ceiling of $81,000,000.
How many awards does DOE anticipate making?
DOE anticipates making around three awards.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning the opportunity is broadly open to different entity types, subject to any additional eligibility clarifications that may be included in the FOA text.
What is the main outcome DOE is trying to get from these awards?
The opportunity is structured to produce detailed, investment-relevant, and integration-focused engineering outputs that bridge conceptual designs and future decisions to build or demonstrate Coal FIRST systems.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Energy, Environment, Natural Resources, Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Next opportunity: Healthy Fluid Milk Incentives (HFMI) Cooperative Agreement Project
Previous opportunity: FY18-20 Special Transportation Circumstances Projects
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for DE FOA 0002180
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (DE FOA 0002180) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Emerging CO2 Storage Technologies: Optimizing Performance Through Minimization of Seismicity Risks and Monitoring Caprock Integrity Apply for DE FOA 0002401 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002401 Agency: Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy, Environment, Natural Resources, Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| CZM Projects of Special Merit Competition - FY2022 Apply for NOAA NOS OCM 2022 2007017 Funding Number: NOAA NOS OCM 2022 2007017 Agency: Department of Commerce Category: Energy, Environment, Natural Resources, Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| FY22-23 CRCP International Coral Reef Conservation Grants and Cooperative Agreements Apply for NOAA NOS OCM 2022 2006993 Funding Number: NOAA NOS OCM 2022 2006993 Agency: Department of Commerce Category: Energy, Environment, Natural Resources, Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| NOAA RESTORE Science Program 2023 Apply for NOAA NOS NCCOS 2022 2007377 Funding Number: NOAA NOS NCCOS 2022 2007377 Agency: Department of Commerce Category: Energy, Environment, Natural Resources, Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Methane Emissions Mitigation and Quantification from Natural Gas Infrastructure Apply for DE FOA 0001538 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001538 Agency: National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy, Environment, Natural Resources, Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $19,000,000 |
| Notice of Intent to Issue Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) DE-FOA-0003490 Apply for DE FOA 0003489 Funding Number: DE FOA 0003489 Agency: National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy, Environment, Natural Resources, Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "DE FOA 0002180", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.