Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0002540
The opportunity titled "RFI: Inclusive Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Climate Technology" (Funding Opportunity Number DE-FOA-0002540) is not a traditional grant solicitation, but a Request for Information issued by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), specifically through the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) in coordination with the Office of Economic Impact and Diversity (ED). Its purpose is to gather input that helps DOE design and improve the programs, processes, and support structures that shape how climate and energy technology innovators access DOE funding and other forms of assistance. Because it is an RFI, DOE is seeking perspectives, evidence, and practical suggestions rather than funding proposals, and it does not anticipate making awards under this announcement (award ceiling and expected awards are listed as zero).
At the center of the RFI is DOE's goal of enabling an inclusive and just entrepreneurial innovation ecosystem in climate and energy technologies. DOE is specifically trying to understand what makes it difficult for certain groups to participate in DOE opportunities, particularly first-time applicants and entrepreneurs, organizations and individuals from underrepresented communities, and those located in underserved or frontline communities. The RFI also calls out "non-traditional backgrounds," signaling interest in input from people and organizations that may not fit the usual profile of DOE applicants, such as smaller community-based organizations, new startups without extensive grant history, and groups that may lack dedicated proposal-writing or compliance staff.
The information DOE is requesting focuses on barriers to entry and the internal actions DOE can take to reduce or remove those barriers using its existing legal authorities. In other words, DOE is not asking for recommendations that would require Congress to change laws or for broad policy changes outside DOE's control. Instead, DOE is looking for operational and programmatic improvements it can implement directly. That can include how funding opportunities are designed and communicated, what kinds of application support are offered, how technical assistance is delivered, and how the overall applicant experience could be made more navigable for newcomers and historically excluded communities.
The RFI highlights several example areas where DOE might implement solutions. One major theme is application support services, which can include clearer guidance, better onboarding for first-time applicants, simplified or better-explained requirements, and hands-on help that reduces the learning curve of federal funding. Another theme is entrepreneurship support such as incubation and acceleration services, which can help innovators move from early ideas to viable companies or deployable technologies, especially when access to networks, capital, and mentors is uneven. More broadly, DOE is interested in measures that would strengthen a "just and inclusive innovation ecosystem," meaning an environment where the benefits of climate and energy innovation, including funding access, business formation, job creation, and technology deployment, are more equitably distributed.
Administratively, the opportunity is listed under the Department of Energy, Golden Field Office, and categorized as discretionary with the funding instrument type labeled "Other," reflecting that it is an information-gathering action rather than a grant or cooperative agreement competition. Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning DOE intended to accept input from any type of entity, subject to any additional eligibility notes that might have been included in the full announcement text. The posting shows a creation date of June 9, 2021 and an original closing date of July 30, 2021, indicating the timeframe during which DOE sought to collect responses.
Overall, this RFI is best understood as DOE asking the public, stakeholders, and affected communities to help diagnose why participation in DOE climate and energy technology programs can be hard for first-time and underrepresented applicants, and to propose practical, implementable steps DOE can take to make its innovation and entrepreneurship pipeline more accessible, more supportive, and more equitable without needing new legislation.Apply for DE FOA 0002540
- The Department of Energy, Golden Field Office in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "RFI: Inclusive Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Climate Technology" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.087.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jun 09, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 30, 2021. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
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FAQs: RFI - Inclusive Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Climate Technology (DE-FOA-0002540)
What is this opportunity?
This opportunity, titled "RFI: Inclusive Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Climate Technology" (Funding Opportunity Number DE-FOA-0002540), is a Request for Information (RFI) issued by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). It is intended to collect public input to help DOE design and improve the programs, processes, and support structures that affect how climate and energy technology innovators access DOE funding and other assistance.
Is this a grant or a funding competition?
No. This is not a traditional grant solicitation or funding competition. DOE is requesting perspectives, evidence, and practical suggestions rather than funding proposals. The posting indicates DOE does not anticipate making awards under this announcement (award ceiling and expected awards are listed as zero).
Which DOE offices are involved?
The RFI is issued by DOE through the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), in coordination with the Office of Economic Impact and Diversity (ED).
What is DOE trying to learn from this RFI?
DOE is seeking input on barriers that make it difficult for certain groups to participate in DOE climate and energy technology opportunities and is requesting practical, implementable suggestions for how DOE can reduce or remove those barriers using DOE's existing legal authorities.
Who is this RFI focused on supporting?
The RFI emphasizes participation challenges for first-time applicants and entrepreneurs, organizations and individuals from underrepresented communities, and those located in underserved or frontline communities. It also highlights interest in perspectives from people and organizations with "non-traditional backgrounds" who may not fit the usual profile of DOE applicants.
What does DOE mean by "non-traditional backgrounds" in this context?
Based on the description provided, DOE is signaling interest in input from groups that may lack the typical resources or history of federal applicants, such as smaller community-based organizations, new startups without extensive grant history, and organizations that do not have dedicated proposal-writing or compliance staff.
What types of input is DOE asking for?
DOE is asking for perspectives, evidence, and practical suggestions. The emphasis is on diagnosing barriers to entry and identifying internal, operational, or programmatic actions DOE can take to improve accessibility and participation in climate and energy innovation and entrepreneurship pathways.
Is DOE asking for policy changes or new laws?
No. DOE is specifically interested in actions it can take using its existing legal authorities. The RFI is not asking for recommendations that would require Congress to change laws or for broad policy changes outside DOE's control.
What kinds of barriers is DOE concerned about?
The RFI centers on barriers to entry that affect participation in DOE opportunities, especially for first-time applicants and historically excluded communities. This includes obstacles that may make DOE funding and support difficult to navigate, access, or successfully use.
What example solution areas does the RFI mention?
The RFI highlights example areas where DOE might implement improvements, including application support services and entrepreneurship support such as incubation and acceleration services. DOE is also broadly interested in steps that strengthen a "just and inclusive innovation ecosystem."
What are "application support services" in the context of this RFI?
Application support services referenced in the RFI can include clearer guidance, better onboarding for first-time applicants, simplified or better-explained requirements, and hands-on help intended to reduce the learning curve associated with federal funding opportunities.
What does DOE mean by entrepreneurship support in this RFI?
Entrepreneurship support in this RFI includes incubation and acceleration services that help innovators move from early ideas to viable companies or deployable technologies, particularly where access to networks, capital, and mentors is uneven.
What does "just and inclusive innovation ecosystem" mean here?
In the context provided, DOE is describing an innovation environment where the benefits of climate and energy innovation such as funding access, business formation, job creation, and technology deployment are more equitably distributed.
Who can respond to this RFI?
Eligibility is described as unrestricted, which indicates DOE intended to accept input from any type of entity (subject to any additional eligibility notes that may have been included in the full announcement text).
Which DOE office is associated with the posting?
Administratively, the opportunity is listed under the Department of Energy, Golden Field Office.
How is this opportunity categorized?
The posting categorizes the opportunity as discretionary and lists the funding instrument type as "Other," reflecting that it is an information-gathering action rather than a grant or cooperative agreement competition.
What is the timeline for this RFI?
The posting shows a creation date of June 9, 2021 and an original closing date of July 30, 2021. This indicates the timeframe during which DOE sought to collect responses.
Does DOE plan to make awards based on responses to this RFI?
No. The opportunity description indicates DOE does not anticipate making awards under this announcement, and both the award ceiling and the expected number of awards are listed as zero.
If there is no funding, why would someone respond?
Because the purpose is to influence how DOE designs and improves its programs and applicant support structures. DOE is explicitly seeking input that can help make climate and energy technology innovation and entrepreneurship opportunities more accessible and equitable, particularly for first-time and underrepresented participants.
What is DOE ultimately trying to improve through this RFI?
DOE is aiming to improve how innovators access DOE funding and other assistance by reducing barriers and improving program design, communications, technical assistance, application support, and overall applicant experience especially for newcomers and historically excluded communities.
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| TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION TO INCREASE HYDROPOWER FLEXIBILITY Apply for DE FOA 0002417 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002417 Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: $4,000,000 |
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