Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0003215
The Annual Recurring University Training and Research funding opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number DE-FOA-0003215) is a discretionary grant program administered by the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) under the U.S. Department of Energy umbrella. It focuses on supporting university-based research and development projects that both advance novel, early-stage ideas in energy-related areas and intentionally develop the next generation of engineers and scientists. A central theme of the opportunity is training: proposals are expected to do more than produce technical results by also creating strong educational and professional pathways that prepare students with practical, transferable skills they can carry into the U.S. workforce and broader economy over long, sustainable careers.
A key priority embedded in the program is expanding research and development opportunities for underrepresented and structurally marginalized communities. In practice, this means projects should be designed with clear, credible plans to recruit, train, mentor, and retain students who have historically faced barriers to participation in STEM research and the energy sector. The opportunity is framed to encourage enduring impacts at universities, pairing research experiences with structured training elements so students graduate with cutting-edge competencies that translate beyond the lab, including skills aligned with real-world industry and national needs.
Eligibility is limited to U.S. institutions of higher education, specifically public and state-controlled colleges and universities and private colleges and universities. The funding instrument is a grant, and the activity category is Energy, associated with CFDA number 81.089. NETL anticipates making about 15 awards, with an award ceiling of $750,000 per project. The original application closing date is October 16, 2026, and the opportunity record was created on August 14, 2026. Overall, the program is positioned as a recurring mechanism to sustain university research pipelines while simultaneously strengthening the diversity, readiness, and long-term career potential of students entering energy-related scientific and engineering fields.Apply for DE FOA 0003215
- The National Energy Technology Laboratory in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Annual Recurring University Training and Research" 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 2026-08-14.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-10-16. (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 $750,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 15 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is this funding opportunity?
The Annual Recurring University Training and Research funding opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number DE-FOA-0003215) is a discretionary grant program administered by the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) under the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). It supports university-based research and development projects in energy-related areas, with a strong emphasis on training the next generation of engineers and scientists.
Who is the sponsoring agency?
The program is administered by the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) under the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
What is the primary purpose of the program?
The program is designed to fund university R&D efforts that advance novel, early-stage energy ideas while also building robust training pathways for students. Proposals are expected to produce both technical outcomes and meaningful educational and workforce preparation outcomes.
What makes this opportunity different from a typical research grant?
A central theme is training. Projects are expected to go beyond research results by intentionally developing students through structured educational and professional pathways, emphasizing practical and transferable skills that support long, sustainable careers in the U.S. workforce and broader economy.
What kinds of projects does it support?
The opportunity supports university-based research and development projects focused on energy-related areas, especially those that advance novel, early-stage ideas and integrate strong training components for students.
Is student training required, or just encouraged?
Training is presented as a central theme of the opportunity, and proposals are expected to include intentional training and workforce-preparation elements in addition to technical research activities.
What types of student outcomes is the program trying to achieve?
The opportunity emphasizes preparing students with practical, transferable skills that translate beyond the lab and align with real-world industry and national needs. It aims to strengthen students long-term career readiness and sustainability in energy-related scientific and engineering fields.
Is there an emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion?
Yes. A key priority is expanding research and development opportunities for underrepresented and structurally marginalized communities. Projects should include clear, credible plans to recruit, train, mentor, and retain students who have historically faced barriers to participation in STEM research and the energy sector.
What does the opportunity mean by "underrepresented and structurally marginalized communities"?
The opportunity states that it prioritizes expanding R&D opportunities for communities that have historically faced barriers to participation in STEM research and the energy sector. The description focuses on practical project design elements such as recruiting, mentoring, training, and retention.
What kinds of training elements are implied or expected?
The opportunity emphasizes pairing research experiences with structured training so students graduate with cutting-edge competencies and transferable skills. It highlights professional pathways and preparation aligned with workforce and national needs.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to U.S. institutions of higher education (IHEs), specifically public and state-controlled colleges and universities and private colleges and universities.
Are non-university organizations eligible to apply?
Based on the information provided, eligibility is limited to U.S. institutions of higher education (public/state-controlled and private). No other applicant types are listed as eligible in the provided description.
What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?
The funding instrument is a grant.
What is the activity category?
The activity category is Energy.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 81.089.
How many awards does NETL expect to make?
NETL anticipates making about 15 awards.
What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling is $750,000 per project.
Is $750,000 a per-project cap or a total program cap?
Based on the information provided, $750,000 is the award ceiling per project.
When is the application due?
The original application closing date is October 16, 2026.
When was this opportunity record created?
The opportunity record was created on August 14, 2026.
What does "annual recurring" mean in this context?
The opportunity is positioned as a recurring mechanism to sustain university research pipelines. The description frames it as annual and recurring, intended to help maintain ongoing university training-and-research capacity over time.
What larger outcomes is DOE/NETL aiming for with this program?
The program is positioned to sustain university research pipelines while strengthening the diversity, readiness, and long-term career potential of students entering energy-related scientific and engineering fields.
Do proposals need to show long-term or enduring impact?
Yes. The opportunity encourages enduring impacts at universities and emphasizes long, sustainable careers for trainees, suggesting proposals should be designed with durable training and workforce-development value.
Does the opportunity emphasize industry relevance?
Yes. It highlights transferable skills aligned with real-world industry and national needs, aiming for competencies that translate beyond academic research settings.
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