Funding Notice: University Training and Research

FOA number: DE-FOA-0003215
Download the full funding opportunity: NETL Exchange
Funding Amount: $10,750,000

Background Information

On August 14, 2026, the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office (HGEO) announced up to $10.75 million in federal funding to support novel, early-stage research and development (R&D) projects at eligible U.S. colleges and universities. The funding opportunity is offered through HGEO’s University Training and Research (UTR) Program, which aims to train the next generation of engineers and scientists for careers in energy-related research to help ensure affordable, reliable, and secure energy for all Americans.

Funding awarded under this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) is intended to increase R&D opportunities for students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Projects will address critical workforce skill gaps by integrating student participation directly into the R&D process and developing training modules that will have a lasting impact on student training beyond the awarded project. 

HGEO is also seeking individuals to review funding opportunities from the UTR Program, including this NOFO. For more information, click here.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include institutions of higher education in the fields of science, environment, energy, and technology related to coal, oil, natural gas, and geothermal energy.

Topic Areas 

This funding opportunity has one topic area:

1. Innovative Research and Training for Subsurface Energy Production: focused on accelerating innovative energy technologies toward commercial viability while simultaneously developing a skilled workforce for the evolving energy sector. 

   The topic area is split into three subtopics focused on 1) coal, 2) oil and gas, and 3) geothermal energy.

Funding  

DOE expects to award up to a total of $10,750,000 with no required cost-sharing from awardees.

Webinar 

An informational webinar was pre-recorded to discuss this funding opportunity as well as the application requirements. 

Watch the recording here

Key Dates

The NOFO is designed as an annual recurring opportunity. As such, the NOFO will remain open for a period of approximately three years. During this open period, applicants may submit Letters of Intent and Full Applications during one of the three application submission periods, the first of which will close on October 16, 2026. To be eligible to submit a Full Application during the first submission period, applicants must submit a Letter of Intent by October 1, 2026.

Additional Information

• Download the full funding opportunity on NETL Exchange.
• For technical assistance, contact NETL-ExchangeSupport@hq.doe.gov

Last Updated: August 14, 2026