DOE has extended the RFI response deadline to June 9, 2014.

The U.S. Department of Energy's Fuel Cell Technologies Office (DOE’s FCTO) has issued a request for information (RFI) seeking feedback from the research community and relevant stakeholders to assist in the development of topics for a potential funding opportunity announcement (FOA) in 2015 for fuel cells and balance of plant (BOP) for transportation and fuel cell systems for stationary and early markets.

The purpose of this RFI is to solicit feedback on R&D needs for and technical barriers to the widespread commercialization of fuel cells. Feedback from industry, academia, research laboratories, government agencies, and other stakeholders is sought. The FCTO is specifically interested in information on R&D needs and priorities concerning the development of low-cost fuel cell components and pathways leading to improved fuel cell performance and durability.

For details, see the RFI announcement DE-FOA-0001133 or email questions about the RFI to fuelcellresearchneeds@ee.doe.gov with "question" in the subject line. RFI responses must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on June 9, 2014. This RFI is not a funding opportunity announcement (FOA); therefore, DOE is not accepting applications for funding regarding this topic at this time.

Pre-Solicitation Workshop to be held on June 16, 2014

The Fuel Cell Technologies Office will also hold a Pre-Solicitation Workshop at the 2014 Annual Merit Review on specific topics that will help to determine the scope of the upcoming 2015 FOA. This workshop will provide the fuel cell and supplier community with an opportunity to discuss potential R&D topics that could be included in the FOA in greater detail and will include breakout sessions to assist in further defining and prioritizing specific topic areas. The workshop is planned for Monday, June 16, from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Wardman Park Marriott in Washington, D.C. Additional information regarding the workshop will be provided on the FCTO requests for information Web page.