The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation (CMEI) is the largest investor in renewable energy technology development in the U.S. government. Within DOE’s grant, loan, and financing programs, CMEI issues funding opportunities year-round to inform the public about available federal financial grants.
In addition to direct funding support, CMEI also provides tailored knowledge-based support (technical assistance) and do-it-yourself (DIY) resource support (online tools and calculators).
Learn more about how to apply for CMEI funding.
Research, Development, and Demonstration Funding
CMEI primarily awards funding through an open, competitive process hosted on the Funding Opportunity eXCHANGE, but other types of financial support are available as well. Project selections are merit-based with an emphasis on potential renewable energy, environmental, and economic benefits.
CMEI releases funding opportunities following a consistent process wherein:
- First, CMEI opens a request for information (RFI) to gather input from potential applicants and stakeholders.
- Often, the office will publish a notice of intent (NOI) to issue funding, which allows interested applicants to consider developing concept papers based on the stated areas of interest.
- Ultimately, CMEI may announce a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) as described in the NOI, but the final NOFO language may be significantly different or may not be issued at all.
Anyone who is interested in applying for CMEI funding notices will need to complete several one-time actions before submitting a NOFO application, including registering with Login.gov, the System for Award Management (SAM), Grants.gov, and FedConnect.net. Project selections are merit-based with an emphasis on potential renewable energy, environmental, and economic benefits.
A full listing of current and past solicitations is available on the Funding Opportunity eXCHANGE.
Prizes and Competitions
CMEI funds many competitions, prizes, and similar contests to support the next generation of scientists, innovative entrepreneurs, and community changemakers.
Winners of the Catalyst Energy Innovation Prize Demo Day celebrated on December 10, 2022.
Other Types of Funding
In addition to CMEI NOFOs, there are other types of financial opportunities available to researchers, individuals, and businesses, including:
One way CMEI partners with businesses is by buying goods and services. For example, CMEI would use a procurement contract to purchase computers for its employees. To offer a product or service, getting listed on the General Service Administration's schedule and bidders list is the first step toward selling products and services to the federal government.
Also, partnering with an ESCO, or energy service company, is a way to provide services to federal facilities. An ESCO is a commercial business providing designs and implementation of energy savings projects, energy conservation, energy infrastructure outsourcing, power generation and energy supply, and risk management. DOE maintains a list of qualified ESCOs contracted to provide energy savings performance contract services.
The Federal Energy Management Program's Energy-Efficient Product Procurement page shows manufacturers and vendors how to increase sales potential by helping federal purchasers meet their energy-efficient product purchasing requirements.
A cooperative research and development agreement, or CRADA, is an agreement between a government laboratory and a private party to work together on the research and development of new technologies.
CMEI manages formula grants for state and local government energy projects, and funding formulas are set by federal statute. State energy offices may also have programs and opportunities of interest; look up a state energy office.
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)/Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program is a highly competitive program that encourages domestic small businesses to engage in federal research/R&D that has the potential for commercialization. Through a competitive awards-based program, SBIR enables small businesses to explore their technological potential and provides the incentive to profit from its commercialization. By including qualified small businesses in the nation's R&D arena, high-tech innovation is stimulated and the United States gains entrepreneurial spirit as it meets its specific research and development needs.
For more information, visit the SBIR website.
A Technology Investment Agreement (TIA) is a type of assistance instrument used in rare cases to support or stimulate research projects involving for-profit firms, especially commercial firms that do business primarily in the commercial marketplace. TIAs are different from grants and cooperative agreements in that the award terms may vary from the government-wide standard terms (See DOE TIA regulations at 10 CFR Part 603). The primary purposes for including a TIA in the type of available award instruments are to encourage non-traditional government contractors to participate in an R&D program and to facilitate new relationships and business practices. A TIA can be particularly useful for awards to consortia (See 10 CFR 603.225(b) and 603.515, Qualification of a Consortium).
In rare cases, funding may be provided non-competitively through the DOE unsolicited proposal process. An unsolicited proposal is an application for assistance that is not submitted at the request of the government or in response to a FOA. DOE's central point for unsolicited proposals is the National Energy Technology Laboratory. Learn more at the lab's Solicitations and Business Opportunities page.
Other DOE agencies, like the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), provide financial opportunities as well. ARPA-E advances high potential, high-impact energy technologies that are too early for private-sector investment. ARPA-E projects have the potential to radically improve U.S. economic security, national security, and environmental well-being. ARPA-E empowers America's energy researchers with funding, technical assistance, and market readiness.
Low-income individuals may be eligible for the Weatherization Assistance Program, a program that improves the energy efficiency of a home, by doing tasks like increasing insulation and replacing inefficient windows.
DOE supports a number of additional energy-related grant, loan, and financing programs, as does its ARPA-E program.
Individuals or Businesses Purchasing Energy Efficient and Renewable Energy Technologies
CMEI does not provide grants to purchase or install energy-efficient or renewable energy technologies. However, there may be tax credits, rebates, or other funding sources available in your state, which can make it cheaper to purchase or install these technologies. Look up your state on the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency.
The Energy Saver website is full of tips for increasing the energy efficiency of your home. Energy Saver also has a section on incentives and financing for energy-efficient homes.
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