Office: Office of Electricity
NOFO number: DE-FOA-0003580
FOA Amount: Approximately $1.9 billion
On March 12, 2026, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Electricity announced an approximate $1.9 billion to catalyze electricity infrastructure investments to meet electricity demand growth and resource adequacy requirements, while reducing costs for American households and businesses. Funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program was authorized to provide up to $10.5 billion in competitive funding over five years to states, tribes, electric utilities, and other eligible recipients to strengthen grid resilience and innovation. To provide clarity with the program’s updated emphasis, this funding opportunity has been renamed to Speed to Power through Accelerated Reconductoring and other Key Advanced Transmission Technology Upgrades (SPARK).
Successful applications will highlight how reconductoring and other Key Advanced Transmission Technologies (ATTs), as complementary technologies, expand the ability to transfer power between regions of the country, strengthen reliability and resource adequacy, and reduce consumer cost impact while utilizing existing rights of way. DOE will prioritize projects that can be implemented quickly to deliver durable physical upgrades and dynamic operation gains that together increase the value, performance, security, resilience, affordability, and reliability of the nation’s electric grid.
The kinds of projects OE is prioritizing include:
- Reconductoring with advanced conductors.
- Advanced Transmission Technologies that can increase the usable capacity of existing assets in real time.
- Large-scale, cross-regional transmission upgrades and coordinated planning.
Applicants must submit a concept paper by April 2, 2026 to be eligible to submit a full application. Full applications are due by May 20, 2026.
Topic Areas
Topic Area 1: Grid Resilience
This topic area supports projects that strengthen grid reliability and resilience through reconductoring and deploying other ATTs. These projects must expand the ability to transfer power between regions of the country of existing transmission or sub-transmission, improve system flexibility, and reduce the likelihood and consequences of disruptive events.
Topic Area 2: Smart Grid
This topic area supports projects focused on deploying advanced grid technologies, which may include new devices, materials, engineering designs, or software tools. These projects must enhance the efficiency, reliability, and operational flexibility of the electric grid through smart grid technologies that enable real-time monitoring, control, and optimization of grid assets.
Topic Area 3: Grid Innovation Program
This topic area supports high-impact, innovative projects that enhance grid reliability and resilience, with a focus on transmission systems that facilitate development of new large loads. This topic prioritizes large-scale, multi-jurisdictional demonstrations aimed at expanding the ability to transfer between transmission planning regions in the country.
Who Can Apply
The following domestic entities are eligible to participate as a recipient of this NOFO:
Topic Area 1: Grid Resilience
- Electric grid operators
- Electricity storage operators
- Electricity generators
- Transmission owners or operators
- Distribution providers
Fuel suppliers Topic Area 2: Smart Grid
- Institutions of higher education
- For-profit organizations
- Non-profit organizations
- State and local government entities
- Indian tribes
Topic Area 3: Grid Innovation Program
- States
- A combination of two or more states
- Indian tribes
- Units of local government
- Public utility commissions
Key Dates
| NOFO Issue Date | March 12, 2026 |
| Informational Webinar Posted | March 19, 2026 |
| Concept Paper Deadline | April 2, 2026 |
| Application Deadline | May 20, 2026 |
| Anticipated Selection Notification Date | August 2026 |
| Anticipated Award Date | October 2026 – January 2027 |
Additional Information
- Download the full notice of funding opportunity on Infrastructure eXCHANGE
- For NOFO-specific questions, please contact DE-FOA-0003580@netl.doe.gov