Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0002291
The Department of Energy (DOE), through the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) and administered by the Golden Field Office, posted a Request for Information (RFI) connected to the concept of a future Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) called "Connected Communities" (Funding Opportunity Number DE-FOA-0002291, created March 27, 2020). The central aim is to gather practical feedback from a wide range of stakeholders such as electric utilities, private industry, universities, EV service providers, national labs, government agencies, and others on topics tied to Grid-interactive Efficient Buildings (GEBs) operating within connected communities. In other words, DOE is looking for input on how groups of buildings, vehicles, and grid resources could work together more intelligently to improve efficiency, reliability, and overall grid performance, and DOE wants comments specifically on the draft goals and overall design of the Connected Communities program concept.
A key point is that this posting is not a grant competition and not a live FOA. DOE is not accepting applications, and there are no awards associated with the RFI itself (the listing reflects expected awards as zero). EERE is using the RFI to test ideas, identify gaps, and refine how a potential future FOA might be structured, including the kinds of projects it should prioritize and how it should define success. DOE also emphasizes that it may or may not issue a future FOA based on the responses it receives, and even if it does, the final scope, timing, number of awards, and award sizes would depend on Congressional appropriations and direction. Just as importantly, submitting a response to the RFI does not give an organization any competitive advantage or disadvantage if a future FOA is released; it is strictly an information-gathering step.
From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is listed under the discretionary category and associated with the Energy activity area (CFDA 81.086). Eligibility is described as unrestricted (open to any entity type), subject to any clarifications that may appear in the full RFI text. While the listing includes a funding instrument type of cooperative agreement, that classification is more relevant to what a future FOA might use; for this RFI, DOE is only requesting written input rather than project proposals.
For organizations that want to participate, DOE set a clear submission process and formatting requirements. Responses had to be submitted electronically by email to CCPilotsRFI@ee.doe.gov no later than 5:00 PM Eastern Time on May 12, 2020. Responses needed to be attached to the email (no inline responses), provided as a Microsoft Word (.docx) document, and limited to 10 pages using 12-point font with 1-inch margins. DOE also noted that if attachments exceeded 25MB, respondents should compress the files (for example, by zipping them) to improve deliverability. Only electronic submissions were accepted. Additional guidance, including where to submit questions and more detailed instructions, was provided in the full RFI document posted on the EERE Exchange website (https://eere-exchange.energy.gov).Apply for DE FOA 0002291
- The Department of Energy, Golden Field Office in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Request for Information: Funding Opportunity Announcement 2206 - Connected Communities" 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 Mar 27, 2020.
- Applicants must submit their applications by This is a request for information - no applications are due. (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.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Connected Communities (DOE/EERE) RFI (DE-FOA-0002291) FAQs
1) What is this opportunity, in plain terms?
This posting is a Department of Energy (DOE) Request for Information (RFI) tied to the concept of a potential future Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) called "Connected Communities" (Funding Opportunity Number DE-FOA-0002291, created March 27, 2020). DOE is collecting written feedback to help shape the draft goals and overall design of that program concept.
2) Is this a live grant competition or an open FOA?
No. DOE explicitly states this is not a grant competition and not a live FOA. DOE is not accepting applications, and there are no awards associated with the RFI itself (expected awards are listed as zero).
3) What is DOE trying to learn from the RFI?
DOE is seeking practical feedback from stakeholders on topics related to Grid-interactive Efficient Buildings (GEBs) operating within connected communities. The intent is to test ideas, identify gaps, and refine how a possible future FOA might be structured, including which projects to prioritize and how success should be defined.
4) Who is sponsoring and administering this RFI?
The RFI is posted by DOE through the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) and is administered by the Golden Field Office.
5) What kinds of stakeholders is DOE asking to respond?
DOE is looking for input from a wide range of stakeholders, including electric utilities, private industry, universities, EV service providers, national laboratories, government agencies, and others.
6) What technical or program area does this relate to?
The RFI focuses on Grid-interactive Efficient Buildings (GEBs) within connected communities, described as groups of buildings, vehicles, and grid resources working together more intelligently to improve efficiency, reliability, and overall grid performance.
7) Does submitting an RFI response affect competitiveness for a future FOA?
No. DOE states that submitting a response to the RFI does not provide any competitive advantage or disadvantage if a future FOA is released. The RFI is strictly an information-gathering step.
8) Is DOE guaranteed to release a future FOA for Connected Communities?
No. DOE notes it may or may not issue a future FOA based on the responses it receives.
9) If DOE releases a future FOA, will the scope and funding be the same as described here?
Not necessarily. DOE states that even if a future FOA is issued, the final scope, timing, number of awards, and award sizes would depend on Congressional appropriations and direction.
10) What category and activity area is this listed under?
The opportunity is listed under the discretionary category and is associated with the Energy activity area (CFDA 81.086).
11) Who is eligible to respond to the RFI?
Eligibility is described as unrestricted (open to any entity type), subject to any clarifications that may appear in the full RFI text.
12) What does the "cooperative agreement" instrument type mean here?
The listing includes a funding instrument type of cooperative agreement, but that classification is more relevant to what a future FOA might use. For this RFI, DOE is only requesting written input rather than project proposals.
13) What exactly had to be submitted for the RFI?
DOE requested a written response (comments/input) rather than an application or project proposal.
14) How were responses submitted?
Responses had to be submitted electronically by email to CCPilotsRFI@ee.doe.gov.
15) What was the submission deadline?
Responses were due no later than 5:00 PM Eastern Time on May 12, 2020.
16) Were paper submissions or other delivery methods allowed?
No. DOE stated that only electronic submissions were accepted.
17) Could respondents paste their response into the email body?
No. DOE required responses to be attached to the email and indicated that responses should not be provided inline in the email.
18) What file format was required?
DOE required the response to be provided as a Microsoft Word (.docx) document.
19) Were there page limits and formatting rules?
Yes. Responses were limited to 10 pages and had to use 12-point font with 1-inch margins.
20) What if the email attachment was too large?
DOE noted that if attachments exceeded 25MB, respondents should compress the files (for example, by zipping them) to improve deliverability.
21) Where could applicants find the full RFI text and detailed instructions?
Additional guidance and more detailed instructions were provided in the full RFI document posted on the EERE Exchange website at https://eere-exchange.energy.gov.
22) Where were questions about the RFI addressed?
DOE indicated that additional guidance, including where to submit questions, was provided in the full RFI document on EERE Exchange (https://eere-exchange.energy.gov).
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Energy
Next opportunity: DoD, Breast Cancer, Transformative Breast Cancer Consortium Award
Previous opportunity: Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management Utah Wildlife Resource Management
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 0002291
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (DE FOA 0002291) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Novel Research and Development for the Direct Capture of Carbon Dioxide from the Atmosphere Apply for DE FOA 0002188 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002188 Agency: Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: $2,500,000 |
| Notice of Intent to Issue Funding Opportunity Announcement No. DE-FOA-0002332 Apply for DE FOA 0002331 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002331 Agency: Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Offshore Wind Energy Atmospheric Science and Project Development Apply for DE FOA 0002236 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002236 Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Educational Materials for Professional Organizations Working on Efficiency and Renewable Energy Developments (EMPOWERED) Apply for DE FOA 0002258 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002258 Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: $2,250,000 |
| COAL-DERIVED MATERIALS FOR BUILDING, INFRASTRUCTURE, AND OTHER APPLICATIONS Apply for DE FOA 0002185 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002185 Agency: Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Notice of Intent to Issue Federal Agency Call (FAC) No. DE-FOA-0002329 entitled “Assisting Federal Facilities with Energy Conservation Technologies (AFFECT) 2020” Apply for DE FOA 0002328 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002328 Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| RFI Collaboration Opportunity Notice for Parties Interested in Partnering with NETL on FOA No. DE-FOA-0002289 Apply for DE FOA 0002341 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002341 Agency: Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Integrated University Program (IUP) Nuclear Engineering Consortium for Nonproliferation Apply for DE FOA 0002264 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002264 Agency: Department of Energy, NNSA Category: Energy Funding Amount: $25,000,000 |
| Notice of Intent to Issue Funding Opportunity Announcement No. DE-FOA-0002252 Apply for DE FOA 0002349 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002349 Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| Energy Storage for Fossil Power Generation Apply for DE FOA 0002332 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002332 Agency: Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: $800,000 |
| FY2020 AMO Critical Materials FOA: Next-Generation Technologies and Field Validation Apply for DE FOA 0002322 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002322 Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: $30,000,000 |
| FY20 Advanced Manufacturing Office Multi-Topic FOA Apply for DE FOA 0002252 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002252 Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: $10,000,000 |
| Small-Scale Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Systems and Hybrid Electrolyzer Technology Development Apply for DE FOA 0002300 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002300 Agency: Department of Energy, Headquarters Category: Energy Funding Amount: $30,000,000 |
| Tribal Energy Development Capacity (TEDC) Grant; Solicitation Apply for BIA TEDC 2020 Funding Number: BIA TEDC 2020 Agency: Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs Category: Energy Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Carbon Ore, Rare Earths and Critical Minerals (CORE-CM) Initiative for U.S. Basins Apply for DE FOA 0002370 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002370 Agency: Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Notice of Request for Information (RFI) on the Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy’s in support of Battery Critical Materials Supply Chain R&D Apply for DE FOA 0002358 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002358 Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Building Technologies Proving Ground – Public Sector Field Validation Apply for DE FOA 0002324 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002324 Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) Research and Development for Advanced Water Resource Recovery Systems Apply for DE FOA 0002336 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002336 Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| ASSISTING FEDERAL FACILITIES WITH ENERGY CONSERVATION TECHNOLOGIES (AFFECT) 2020 Apply for DE FOA 0002329 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002329 Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Hydrogen Technologies RFI-DE-FOA-0002369 Apply for DE FOA 0002369 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002369 Agency: Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy 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 0002291", 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.