The Fuel Cell Technologies Office (FCTO) announces a call for cooperative research and development agreements (CRADAs) between national laboratories and industrial partners to address roll-to-roll (R2R) manufacturing challenges that will allow rapid transfer of manufacturing and processing technologies from the lab to the plant floor, resulting in less costly and more energy efficient products entering the marketplace. These efforts will be supported with current and prior year funds.

A U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) laboratory consortium composed of Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory was formed to enhance battery and fuel cell electrode performance, processing of water, and R2R manufacturing technologies using an advanced materials manufacturing approach. This consortium is now accepting proposals for CRADAs.

Only projects that have a strong likelihood of creating jobs domestically and enabling manufacturing of hydrogen and/or fuel cell technologies are of interest for FCTO funding. CRADAs will require industry to provide at least a 50% cost share, which can be monetary funds or in-kind contributions (e.g., facilities, services, and staff time).

Projects selected for funding from the FCTO to complement funds from DOE’s Advanced Manufacturing Office (AMO) and industry partners will focus on advanced materials and component development, synthesis and processing methods, and quality control and metrology in the specific areas of polymer electrolyte fuel cells and polymer electrolyte membrane electrolyzers.

Up to $1 million is available from FCTO to complement $1.3 million in AMO funding. View more information about the solicitation. Proposals submitted will be considered as funding allows. Proposal and technical inquiries should be directed to R2RAMM@ornl.gov.