RFI: Inclusive Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Climate Technology | DE FOA 0002540

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.

• 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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