Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0002193
The Department of Energy (DOE), through the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), offered this discretionary grant funding opportunity called "University Training and Research in Fossil Energy - UCR/HBCU" (Funding Opportunity Number DE-FOA-0002193) to support university-led research and workforce development tied to the nation’s fossil energy research priorities. The program is built around the idea that strong, fundamental research at universities can both advance fossil energy science and technology and also train the next generation of engineers and scientists who will be needed to fill key workforce gaps in fossil energy-related fields.
This FOA is specifically aimed at higher education institutions, with eligibility restricted to the university community and the HBCU/OMI community. In practical terms, that means applications were expected from public and state-controlled colleges and universities as well as private institutions of higher education, with a strong emphasis on participation by Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other Minority-Serving Institutions (often referenced here as OMI). The activity categories reflect a blend of education and research, covering energy, environmental and natural resources topics, and broader science and technology research and development (CFDA 81.057).
The funding focuses on two closely related tracks. The first is University Coal Research (UCR), which supports coal technology research and development projects that are fundamental and innovative. The stated intent is not only to push coal-related science forward, but also to maintain a pipeline of trained talent that can move into critical roles within the fossil energy workforce, helping advance DOE’s Fossil Energy R&D mission. The second track is aimed at HBCUs and other minority institutions and supports fossil energy R&D that aligns with program goals while deliberately emphasizing education and training outcomes. This component highlights preparing highly skilled scientists and engineers for advanced technology markets, including an expectation that trainees gain experience working in and for culturally diverse environments and with diverse stakeholders, customers, and business partners.
From a process standpoint, DOE planned to issue the FOA, receive applications, and evaluate them through a merit review that draws on reviewers with different perspectives, including industry and DOE personnel. After scoring and ranking, DOE would select the highest-rated proposals, negotiate final terms and budgets with selected applicants, and then complete the award process by issuing grants. This structure is meant to ensure that funded projects are both technically strong and relevant to real-world needs, while also meeting DOE requirements for accountability and performance.
In terms of scale and timing, the opportunity was created on December 20, 2019, with an original application closing date of March 2, 2020. The FOA anticipated making about 13 awards, with an award ceiling listed at $6,379,000 (as provided in the source data). Overall, the program is best understood as a combined research-and-training investment: it funds university-driven fossil energy and coal-related R&D while also using those projects as hands-on training platforms to develop a skilled, diverse workforce for the energy sector.Apply for DE FOA 0002193
- The Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory in the education, energy, environment, natural resources, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "University Training and Research in Fossil Energy - UCR/HBCU" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.057.
- This funding opportunity was created on Dec 20, 2019.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 02, 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 $6,379,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 13 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 (FAQs)
What is the name of this funding opportunity?
The funding opportunity is called "University Training and Research in Fossil Energy - UCR/HBCU."
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FOA number)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is DE-FOA-0002193.
Which agency is offering this grant?
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is offering the opportunity through the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL).
Is this a discretionary grant opportunity?
Yes. The opportunity is described as a discretionary grant funding opportunity.
What is the overall purpose of this FOA?
The FOA is designed to support university-led research and workforce development aligned with the nation’s fossil energy research priorities. It emphasizes fundamental university research as a way to advance fossil energy science and technology while training the next generation of engineers and scientists.
What types of institutions are eligible to apply?
Eligibility is restricted to higher education institutions, specifically the university community and the HBCU/OMI community. Applications were expected from public and state-controlled colleges and universities as well as private institutions of higher education, with strong emphasis on participation by Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other Minority-Serving Institutions (often referenced as OMI).
What does "HBCU/OMI" mean in this FOA?
In the context provided, HBCU refers to Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and OMI refers to other Minority-Serving Institutions. The FOA emphasizes participation from these communities.
What subject areas or program categories does this opportunity cover?
The activity categories described include a blend of education and research, covering energy, environmental and natural resources topics, and broader science and technology research and development. The opportunity is associated with CFDA 81.057.
What is CFDA 81.057 and how does it relate to this grant?
CFDA 81.057 is the program listing referenced for this opportunity, and it is tied to the activity categories described (education and research in energy, environmental/natural resources, and science and technology R&D).
What are the main funding tracks or components within this FOA?
The funding is organized into two closely related tracks: (1) University Coal Research (UCR) and (2) a track aimed at HBCUs and other minority institutions that supports fossil energy R&D with an emphasis on education and training outcomes.
What is the University Coal Research (UCR) track intended to support?
The UCR track supports coal technology research and development projects that are described as fundamental and innovative. It is intended to advance coal-related science and help maintain a pipeline of trained talent for critical roles in the fossil energy workforce, supporting DOE’s Fossil Energy R&D mission.
What does the HBCU/OMI-focused track emphasize?
This track supports fossil energy research and development aligned with program goals while deliberately emphasizing education and training outcomes. It highlights preparing highly skilled scientists and engineers for advanced technology markets.
Does the FOA place any specific expectations on training outcomes?
Yes. The information provided describes an expectation that trainees gain experience working in and for culturally diverse environments and with diverse stakeholders, customers, and business partners, alongside technical training and research participation.
How does this program connect research and workforce development?
The program is framed as a combined research-and-training investment: it funds university-driven fossil energy and coal-related R&D and uses those projects as hands-on training platforms to develop a skilled, diverse workforce for the energy sector.
How were applications expected to be reviewed and selected?
DOE planned to evaluate applications through a merit review process. Reviewers were expected to bring different perspectives, including industry and DOE personnel. Proposals would be scored and ranked, and DOE would select the highest-rated proposals.
What happens after a proposal is selected?
Based on the described process, DOE would negotiate final terms and budgets with selected applicants and then complete the award process by issuing grants.
Why does the FOA use a merit review with reviewers from different perspectives?
The described structure is meant to ensure funded projects are technically strong, relevant to real-world needs, and aligned with DOE requirements for accountability and performance.
When was this funding opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on December 20, 2019.
What was the original application closing date?
The original application closing date was March 2, 2020.
About how many awards did DOE anticipate making under this FOA?
The FOA anticipated making about 13 awards.
What is the award ceiling listed for this opportunity?
The award ceiling is listed as $6,379,000 (as provided in the source data).
Is the focus strictly on coal, or does it include broader fossil energy topics?
It includes both. One track explicitly focuses on coal technology research (University Coal Research), and another track supports fossil energy R&D more broadly while emphasizing education and training outcomes for HBCUs and other minority institutions.
What kinds of outcomes is DOE trying to achieve through this FOA?
The outcomes described include advancing fundamental fossil energy and coal-related science and technology, maintaining and strengthening the workforce pipeline for fossil energy-related fields, and promoting training experiences that prepare participants to work effectively in culturally diverse environments and with diverse stakeholders.
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