Application Process
Applying to a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) from the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) can take several weeks. Please review the relevant Funding Notice for all submission deadlines and resources. When ready, submit all applications via the OCED eXCHANGE (unless stated otherwise). Please send any questions regarding a specific NOFO to the email listed on the Funding Notice page, which can also be found in the NOFO.
STEPS IN THE APPLICATION PROCESS
The OCED website provides comprehensive information on OCED funding opportunities as well as OCED’s mission, programs, news, project portfolio, leadership team, and career opportunities.
Funding Opportunities
Learn About OCED Projects
For more information about OCED’s project portfolio, please visit the OCED website.
Search for OCED Funding Opportunities
Interested applicants may view and download OCED Funding Opportunity Announcements on OCED eXCHANGE.
Prepare to Apply
Required System Registrations
Applicants must register with the systems listed below to apply to a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). In some cases, high demand may result in longer than expected wait times to register for certain systems. Therefore, applicants should start and complete the registration processes as early as possible.
OCED eXCHANGE: Applicants must register with and submit NOFO application materials through OCED eXCHANGE, OCED’s online application portal. See detailed instructions on how to apply at Financial Opportunities: Manuals (energy.gov). The “Apply” and “Submit” buttons will be automatically disabled after the listed submission deadlines. If an applicant experiences technical difficulties with a submission, the applicant should contact the OCED eXCHANGE helpdesk for assistance (OCED-exchangeSupport@hq.doe.gov).
Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management: Each applicant (unless the applicant is excepted from those requirements under 2 CFR § 25.110) is required to:
(1) register in the System for Award Management (SAM) at https://www.sam.gov before submitting an application;
- Designating an Electronic Business Point of Contact is an important step in SAM registration.
(2) provide a valid unique entity identifier (UEI) number in the application; and
(3) maintain an active SAM registration with up to date information while it has an active federal award, an application, or plan under consideration by a federal awarding agency.
DOE may not make a federal award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable UEI and SAM requirements. If an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time DOE is ready to make a federal award, the DOE will determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a federal award.
NOTE: Entities should start the UEI and SAM registration process as soon as possible. If entities have technical difficulties with the UEI validation or SAM registration process, they should utilize the Help feature on SAM.gov. Additional entity validation resources can be found here: GSAFSD Tier 0 Knowledge Base - Validating your Entity.
Grants.gov: To receive email updates on NOFO amendments, applicants must register with Grants.gov. Click the “register” link in the top right corner of the grants.gov page, and then the “get registered now” button on the Register page, and complete the required information.
FedConnect: Register in FedConnect at https://www.fedconnect.net.
How to Submit an Application
Read the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) carefully and follow all the application submission requirements. Applying to a NOFO can take several weeks, and please note that some NOFOs require applicants to submit a letter of intent or concept paper before submitting the application. Application submission deadlines are on the cover page of each NOFO. Submit all letters of intent, concept papers, and applications via OCED eXCHANGE (unless stated otherwise in the NOFO).
If there are any inconsistencies between the NOFO and any non-legally binding DOE communications, such as presentations or DOE staff statements, the NOFO takes precedence. Applicants may submit questions via email to the address identified in the NOFO Questions/Agency Contacts section.
Required Application Documents
Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424)
The Standard Form SF-424 represents the government-wide standard form for grant application packages, and requires basic information about the applicant (name, address, telephone number, type of applicant, etc.,), including a list of sources of proposed funding and a description of the proposed project.
Budget and Budget Justification Workbook
Applicants must provide a Budget, and a Budget Justification Workbook. For any subaward listed in the application, a separate Budget Justification Workbook must be provided for each subaward listed in the application.
Budget
Applicants must use the Standard Form SF-424-A BUDGET INFORMATION - Non-Construction Programs to submit their budget.
The following resources are provided to assist with application submission.