FOA number: DE-FOA-0003606
Download the full funding opportunity: NETL Exchange
Funding Amount: $100,000,000
Background Information
On October 31, 2025, the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy (FE) announced up to $100 million in federal funding to refurbish and modernize the nation’s existing coal power plants. The effort will support practical, high-impact projects that improve efficiency, plant lifetimes, and performance of coal and natural gas use. This effort supports President Trump’s Executive Orders, Reinvigorating America’s Beautiful Clean Coal Industry and Strengthening the Reliability and Security of the United States Electric Grid, and advances his commitment to restore U.S. energy dominance.
Selectees
On June 10, 2026, DOE announced $3.6 million for nine design and engineering projects that will support the refurbishment or retrofit of existing coal power plants with transformational technologies that address wastewater systems and improve the efficiency, reliability, flexibility, and performance of coal and natural gas use.
Selectees include:
- Baker Hughes Energy Transition LLC
- Heartland Water Technology Inc.
- University of Kentucky Research Foundation
- University of Wyoming
- Hallador Power Company LLC (2 projects)
- East Kentucky Power Cooperative Inc.
- The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
- Zolo Carbon Smartech Inc.
A detailed list of the selected projects can be found here.
Topic Areas
This funding opportunity has three topic areas:
- Development and Implementation of Advanced Wastewater Systems
- Engineering and Implementation of Dual Firing Retrofits
- Development and Testing of Natural Gas Cofiring Systems
Funding
DOE expects to award up to $100 million in federal funding with a minimum of 20-50% cost-sharing from the awardees.
Key Dates
| NOI Issue Date: | 10/06/2025 |
| Funding Opportunity Issue Date: | 10/31/2025 |
| Submission Deadline for Full Applications: | 01/23/2026 at 5:00 PM ET |
| Expected Date for Selection Notifications: | May 2026 |
Additional Information
- Download the full funding opportunity on NETL Exchange.
- Questions regarding this NOFO must be submitted to DE-FOA-0003606@netl.doe.gov no later than three (3) business days prior to the application due date and time.
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Project Selections for Notice of Funding Opportunity DE-FOA-0003606, Improving Efficiency, Reliability, and Flexibility of Coal-Based Power Plants (Phase 1 - Pre-FEED)June 10, 2026
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The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for up to $100 million in federal funding to refurbish and modernize the nation’s existing coal power plants. -
The U.S. Department of Energy today announced a $625 million investment to expand and reinvigorate America’s coal industry, aiming to boost energy production and support coal communities nationwide.
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Last Updated: July 10, 2026