Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0002022

The Fiscal Year 2019 H2@Scale Funding Opportunity Announcement (DE-FOA-0002022) is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) competitive funding opportunity issued by the DOE Golden Field Office to push forward the H2@Scale concept, which is essentially a strategy for making hydrogen a practical, large-scale energy and industrial commodity in the United States. The FOA is designed to accelerate technologies and systems that make hydrogen generation, transport, storage, and end-use more affordable, more reliable, and higher performing across multiple sectors. The program frames hydrogen as a flexible energy carrier that can help the power grid and also supply fuel and feedstock needs in transportation, stationary power, heating, and heavy industry.

A central idea behind H2@Scale in this FOA is using hydrogen production as a way to better balance the electric grid, especially as renewable energy grows. When power generation exceeds demand, electricity can be diverted to electrolyzers to split water and produce hydrogen, reducing renewable curtailment and helping with grid stability. The FOA also highlights the role of existing baseload resources, specifically mentioning nuclear power, as a potential steady electricity source that can support hydrogen production. Once produced, the hydrogen can be stored and distributed for later use, turning otherwise inflexible generation or excess renewable output into a storable, transportable product.

The opportunity points to a wide range of hydrogen applications that the program wants to enable. On the energy side, these include fuel for transportation and stationary power as well as process heat and building heat. On the industrial side, it emphasizes major hydrogen-consuming or hydrogen-enabled industries such as steel manufacturing, ammonia production, and petroleum refining. These sectors matter because they represent both near-term markets for hydrogen and hard-to-decarbonize segments of the economy where hydrogen could play a large role if costs and infrastructure constraints can be addressed.

DOE identifies the main barriers to the H2@Scale vision as the affordability, reliability, and performance of emerging hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. In practice, that means the FOA is not just looking for incremental progress in a single component, but for technical advances that lower costs, improve durability and uptime, and boost efficiency and operational flexibility. The FOA is structured into three topic areas that cover the pathway from enabling materials and components, to novel production and utilization concepts, and finally to real-world system integration.

Topic 1 focuses on advanced hydrogen storage and infrastructure research and development. This includes work on novel materials or hydrogen carriers for transporting and storing hydrogen, as well as materials used in hydrogen infrastructure components. The emphasis here is on solving practical bottlenecks that show up when hydrogen needs to be moved and stored at scale, such as improving storage density and safety, reducing cost and complexity, and developing materials that can withstand hydrogen exposure in pipelines, tanks, seals, and related equipment.

Topic 2 covers innovative concepts for hydrogen production and utilization. The FOA calls out advanced water splitting materials, affordable domestic hydrogen production technologies, and concepts that can co-produce hydrogen while creating additional revenue streams. It also includes reversible fuel cell technologies, which are systems that can operate as fuel cells (making electricity from hydrogen) and also run in reverse as electrolyzers (making hydrogen from electricity). This topic is about expanding the technology toolbox so hydrogen can be produced more cheaply and used more flexibly, including approaches that improve economics by pairing hydrogen production with valuable co-products or by enabling devices to serve multiple roles.

Topic 3 is the H2@Scale Pilot topic, aimed at integrated production, storage, and fueling systems. Rather than focusing on a single component, this topic is about demonstrating innovative approaches that integrate and optimize the complete hydrogen system end-to-end, including production, storage, distribution, and use. The intention is to move beyond lab-scale advances and show that the full chain can work together in a coordinated way, addressing real integration issues like controls, efficiency losses across subsystems, footprint, reliability, fueling logistics, and operational strategies that match real demand patterns.

Administratively, this FOA is a discretionary funding opportunity using a Cooperative Agreement as the funding instrument, meaning awardees should expect substantial technical involvement from DOE compared with a more hands-off grant. The program is listed under CFDA 81.087 and is categorized under the Energy funding activity area. Eligibility is described as unrestricted (open to any type of entity), subject to any additional clarifications provided in the full FOA.

Key dates included in the announcement are a creation date of March 4, 2019, a concept paper deadline of April 8, 2019 at 5:00 pm Eastern Time, and a full application deadline of May 29, 2019 at 5:00 pm Eastern Time, which is also the original closing date. The FOA states an award ceiling of $10,000,000 and anticipates making about 20 awards, indicating DOE expected a portfolio of projects rather than a single large selection.

Applications were required to be submitted through the EERE Exchange portal (https://eere-exchange.energy.gov), DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy's online submission system. Applicants needed to register in EERE Exchange and submit required materials there, and the FOA directs prospective applicants to the full posting on EERE Exchange for the official rules, detailed topic requirements, where to send content questions, and where to get help with submission and system issues.

  • The Department of Energy, Golden Field Office in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Fiscal Year 2019 H2@Scale Funding Opportunity Announcement" and is now available to receive applicants.
  • Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.087.
  • This funding opportunity was created on Mar 04, 2019.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by May 29, 2019 Submission Deadline for Concept Papers 4/8/2019 500pm ET Submission Deadline for Full Applications 5/29/2019 500pm ET. (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 $10,000,000.00 in funding.
  • The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 20 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.
Apply for DE FOA 0002022

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - FY 2019 H2@Scale FOA (DE-FOA-0002022)

What is this funding opportunity?

This is the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Fiscal Year 2019 H2@Scale Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), number DE-FOA-0002022. It is a competitive, discretionary funding opportunity issued by the DOE Golden Field Office to advance the H2@Scale concept.

What is the H2@Scale concept in this FOA?

H2@Scale is framed as a strategy to make hydrogen a practical, large-scale energy and industrial commodity in the United States. The FOA emphasizes accelerating technologies and systems that improve hydrogen generation, transport, storage, and end-use so they become more affordable, more reliable, and higher performing across multiple sectors.

What is the overall goal of the FOA?

The FOA is designed to accelerate technologies and integrated systems that reduce cost, improve reliability/durability, and increase performance and operational flexibility for hydrogen and fuel cell pathways, from production through storage/distribution to end use.

Which DOE office issued this FOA?

The FOA was issued by the DOE Golden Field Office.

What funding activity area does this FOA fall under?

The program is categorized under the Energy funding activity area.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA 81.087.

What funding instrument will DOE use for awards?

The FOA uses a Cooperative Agreement as the funding instrument.

What does it mean that this is a Cooperative Agreement?

Based on the FOA description, awardees should expect substantial technical involvement from DOE compared with a more hands-off grant mechanism. In other words, DOE is expected to be more engaged during the project.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as unrestricted (open to any type of entity), subject to any additional clarifications in the full FOA posting.

How is hydrogen positioned in this program?

The FOA frames hydrogen as a flexible energy carrier that can support the electric grid and supply fuel and feedstock needs across transportation, stationary power, heating, and heavy industry.

How does the FOA connect hydrogen to electric grid balancing?

A central idea is that when power generation exceeds demand, electricity can be diverted to electrolyzers to split water and produce hydrogen. This can reduce renewable curtailment and support grid stability by converting excess electricity into a storable product.

Does the FOA mention any specific electricity sources for hydrogen production?

Yes. The FOA highlights existing baseload resources and specifically mentions nuclear power as a potential steady electricity source that can support hydrogen production.

What happens after hydrogen is produced, according to the FOA?

The FOA emphasizes that hydrogen can be stored and distributed for later use, turning excess renewable output or otherwise inflexible generation into a storable and transportable commodity.

What end uses and markets does the FOA target?

The FOA points to a wide range of applications, including transportation fuel, stationary power, process heat, and building heat. It also highlights industrial sectors such as steel manufacturing, ammonia production, and petroleum refining.

Why does the FOA emphasize heavy industry?

The FOA describes these industrial sectors as major hydrogen-consuming or hydrogen-enabled industries that represent near-term markets for hydrogen and areas where hydrogen could play a significant role if cost and infrastructure constraints are addressed.

What barriers is DOE trying to address through this FOA?

DOE identifies affordability, reliability, and performance of emerging hydrogen and fuel cell technologies as key barriers. The FOA emphasizes advances that lower costs, improve durability and uptime, and boost efficiency and operational flexibility.

How is the FOA structured?

The FOA is structured into three topic areas spanning enabling materials and components, innovative production and utilization concepts, and real-world system integration.

What is Topic Area 1 about?

Topic 1 focuses on advanced hydrogen storage and infrastructure research and development. It includes novel materials or hydrogen carriers for transporting and storing hydrogen, and materials for hydrogen infrastructure components.

What kinds of challenges does Topic 1 aim to solve?

The emphasis is on practical bottlenecks in moving and storing hydrogen at scale, such as improving storage density and safety, reducing cost and complexity, and developing materials that can withstand hydrogen exposure in pipelines, tanks, seals, and related equipment.

What is Topic Area 2 about?

Topic 2 covers innovative concepts for hydrogen production and utilization. It calls out advanced water splitting materials, affordable domestic hydrogen production technologies, concepts that can co-produce hydrogen while creating additional revenue streams, and reversible fuel cell technologies.

What are reversible fuel cell technologies in the context of this FOA?

They are systems that can operate as fuel cells (producing electricity from hydrogen) and also run in reverse as electrolyzers (producing hydrogen from electricity). Topic 2 includes these as a way to expand operational flexibility.

What does Topic 2 mean by co-producing hydrogen with additional revenue streams?

The FOA describes concepts that co-produce hydrogen while generating valuable co-products or other revenue opportunities, with the goal of improving overall project economics.

What is Topic Area 3 about?

Topic 3 is the H2@Scale Pilot topic focused on integrated production, storage, and fueling systems. It is aimed at demonstrating innovative, end-to-end approaches that integrate production, storage, distribution, and use rather than advancing only a single component.

What kinds of real-world issues does Topic 3 expect projects to address?

The FOA highlights integration issues such as controls, efficiency losses across subsystems, footprint, reliability, fueling logistics, and operational strategies that match real demand patterns.

Is this FOA intended only for lab-scale research?

No. While some topics include research and development elements, Topic 3 is explicitly oriented toward pilot-style, integrated demonstrations intended to show the complete hydrogen chain working together beyond lab-scale advances.

What is the award ceiling for this FOA?

The FOA states an award ceiling of $10,000,000.

How many awards does DOE expect to make?

DOE anticipated making about 20 awards, suggesting a portfolio of projects rather than a single selection.

What are the key dates listed for this FOA?

The FOA lists a creation date of March 4, 2019. The concept paper deadline is April 8, 2019 at 5:00 pm Eastern Time. The full application deadline is May 29, 2019 at 5:00 pm Eastern Time, which is also identified as the original closing date.

Was a concept paper required?

The FOA includes a concept paper deadline, indicating that concept papers were part of the process. The official posting on EERE Exchange is referenced for the definitive requirements.

How were applications required to be submitted?

Applications were required to be submitted through the EERE Exchange portal at https://eere-exchange.energy.gov.

What is EERE Exchange?

EERE Exchange is the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) online submission system referenced by the FOA for registration and application submission.

What did applicants need to do before submitting?

Applicants needed to register in EERE Exchange and submit the required materials through that portal.

Where can applicants find the official rules and detailed topic requirements?

The FOA directs prospective applicants to the full posting on EERE Exchange for the official rules, detailed topic requirements, where to send content questions, and where to get help with submission and system issues.

Browse more opportunities from the same agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office

Browse more opportunities from the same category: Energy

Next opportunity: Key Population Community HIV Services Action and Response (KP-CARE 1) Activity

Previous opportunity: Etiologic and Effectiveness Research to Address Polysubstance Impaired Driving

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 0002022

 

Applicants also applied for:

Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (DE FOA 0002022) also looked into and applied for these:

Funding Opportunity
Maritiem Energy Conservation or Efficiency Polot Demonstration Apply for 693JF719R000011

Funding Number: 693JF719R000011
Agency: Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration
Category: Energy
Funding Amount: $380,000
ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE DEPLOYMENT ON TRIBAL LANDS - 2019 Apply for DE FOA 0002032

Funding Number: DE FOA 0002032
Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office
Category: Energy
Funding Amount: $1,000,000
DE-FOA-0001960 - Clean Energy Manufacturing Innovation Institute: Cybersecurity in Energy Efficient Manufacturing Apply for DE FOA 0001960

Funding Number: DE FOA 0001960
Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office
Category: Energy
Funding Amount: $70,000,000
Solar Energy Technologies Office Fiscal Year 2019 Funding Program Apply for DE FOA 0002064

Funding Number: DE FOA 0002064
Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office
Category: Energy
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 Wind Energy Technologies Office Funding Opportunity Announcement Apply for DE FOA 0002071

Funding Number: DE FOA 0002071
Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office
Category: Energy
Funding Amount: $5,000,000
Subsurface Stress and Lost Circulation in Geothermal Drilling Apply for DE FOA 0002083

Funding Number: DE FOA 0002083
Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office
Category: Energy
Funding Amount: $3,500,000
Water Power Technologies Office 2019 Research Funding Opportunity Apply for DE FOA 0002080

Funding Number: DE FOA 0002080
Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office
Category: Energy
Funding Amount: $1,800,000
Fiscal Year 2019 Advanced Vehicle Technologies Research Funding Opportunity Announcement Apply for DE FOA 0002014

Funding Number: DE FOA 0002014
Agency: Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory
Category: Energy
Funding Amount: $7,500,000
Advancing Steam Turbine Performance for Coal Boilers Apply for DE FOA 0001996

Funding Number: DE FOA 0001996
Agency: Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory
Category: Energy
Funding Amount: $6,000,000
Notice of Intent to Issue: Next Generation Gasifier Concepts and Components to Advance Modular Coal Gasification Apply for DE FOA 0002121

Funding Number: DE FOA 0002121
Agency: Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory
Category: Energy
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
Crosscutting Research for Coal-Fueled Power Plants Apply for DE FOA 0002001

Funding Number: DE FOA 0002001
Agency: Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory
Category: Energy
Funding Amount: $1,500,000
Advanced Materials for High-Efficiency, Flexible and Reliable Coal-Fueled Power Plants Apply for DE FOA 0002002

Funding Number: DE FOA 0002002
Agency: Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory
Category: Energy
Funding Amount: $1,000,000
Critical Components for Coal FIRST Power Plants of the Future Apply for DE FOA 0002116

Funding Number: DE FOA 0002116
Agency: Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory
Category: Energy
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
Promoting Domestic and International Consensus on Fossil Energy Technologies Apply for DE FOA 0002102

Funding Number: DE FOA 0002102
Agency: Department of Energy, Headquarters
Category: Energy
Funding Amount: $9,500,000
ADVANCED SUBSEA SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGIES TO IMPROVE EFFICIENCY AND CAPABILITIES FOR ENHANCED OIL RECOVERY (EOR) IN OFFSHORE WELLS Apply for DE FOA 0002005

Funding Number: DE FOA 0002005
Agency: Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory
Category: Energy
Funding Amount: $3,000,000
Request for Information (RFI) DE-FOA-0002118: Research and Development Opportunities for Building Energy Modeling Apply for DE FOA 0002118

Funding Number: DE FOA 0002118
Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office
Category: Energy
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
Request for Information (RFI) DE-FOA-0002117: Research and Development Opportunities for Innovations in Sensors and Controls for Building Energy Management Apply for DE FOA 0002117

Funding Number: DE FOA 0002117
Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office
Category: Energy
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
Advanced Building Construction with Energy Efficient Technologies & Practices (ABC) Apply for DE FOA 0002099

Funding Number: DE FOA 0002099
Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office
Category: Energy
Funding Amount: $5,000,000
FY19 BIOENERGY TECHNOLOGIES OFFICE MULTI-TOPIC FUNDING OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT Apply for DE FOA 0002029

Funding Number: DE FOA 0002029
Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office
Category: Energy
Funding Amount: $10,000,000
FY19 Advanced Manufacturing Office Multi-Topic FOA Apply for DE FOA 0001980

Funding Number: DE FOA 0001980
Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office
Category: Energy
Funding Amount: $12,000,000

 

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

  • 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.
Access Applicants Portal

 

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 0002022", 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.

 

Ask a Question: