Description
The Department of Energy’s Office of Electricity is seeking proposals for cooperative‑agreement projects that will strengthen the U.S. electric grid supply chain. Two topic areas are funded: (1) refurbishment and reuse of critical grid equipment (e.g., transformers, circuit breakers) and (2) development and qualification of alternative, domestically‑sourced materials and sub‑components for grid hardware. Up to $237 million is available across 70 awards, with individual awards ranging from $2.5 million to $25 million. Projects must include a minimum 50 % cost‑share, be performed in the United States, and align with DOE’s goals of resilience, domestic manufacturing, and reduced reliance on foreign‑dominated inputs.
• Funding mechanism: Cooperative Agreement (grant‑like)
• Total FY‑2027 funding: $237 M; Topic 1 ≈ $50 M (3‑20 awards), Topic 2 ≈ $187 M (7‑50 awards)
• Award sizes: $2.5 M–$15 M (Topic 1) and $1 M–$25 M (Topic 2)
• Project periods: up to 24 months (Topic 1) or up to 48 months (Topic 2, two phases)
• Eligibility: U.S. higher‑education institutions, for‑profit, non‑profit, state/local governments, Indian tribes; foreign entities only with waiver
• Cost‑share requirement: ≥ 50 % of total project cost
• Key deliverables: demonstration of refurbished equipment or alternative material integration, technical reports, milestones, and commercialization pathways
• Submission deadlines: Concept paper 20 Nov 2026, Full application 8 Feb 2027 (5 PM ET)
• Anticipated award notice: 23 Sep 2027