Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0003501
The Next Generation of Academia-Based Cyber Research, Development, and Demonstration (RD&D) opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number DE-FOA-0003501) is a discretionary federal funding program administered by the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). It is designed to strengthen the cybersecurity and resilience of U.S. energy infrastructure by supporting university-based research, development, and demonstration efforts that can move practical cyber tools and technologies closer to real-world integration. The core idea is to use academia as a pipeline for innovation that not only produces new concepts, but also helps mature them into solutions that can be adopted by energy-sector operators and stakeholders.
This notice of funding opportunity is structured as an open solicitation spanning a five-year period, which signals an intent to keep the program accessible over time rather than treating it as a one-time, short-window competition. In practical terms, that structure supports ongoing participation and periodic evaluation, which can be important for a fast-evolving domain like cybersecurity where threat landscapes, operational constraints, and defensive technologies shift quickly. The emphasis on "research, development, and demonstration" also suggests an interest in the full pathway from exploratory work through proof-of-concept and validation activities, with an endpoint focused on integration into operational energy environments.
Funding will be provided via a cooperative agreement, meaning the federal government typically expects a higher level of involvement during the project period than with more hands-off grant mechanisms. Cooperative agreements often include active collaboration, technical checkpoints, and shared oversight between the awardee and the agency to ensure that the work stays aligned with program goals, milestones, and technology transition expectations. The program falls under the energy funding activity category and is associated with CFDA number 81.008.
Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, which generally indicates that a broad range of applicants may apply, including universities and potentially other entities if they fit the program scope and requirements. The opportunity anticipates a single award, with an award ceiling of $10,000,000, indicating a substantial, flagship-style project or center-scale effort rather than multiple smaller awards. The original closing date is February 18, 2025, and the opportunity was created on December 19, 2024, providing a clear timeline for prospective applicants to prepare a proposal.
Overall, this opportunity is best understood as a major investment in academia-driven cybersecurity innovation for the energy sector, with a strong focus on taking solutions beyond the lab and toward deployment-ready outcomes that improve the resilience of critical energy infrastructure.Apply for DE FOA 0003501
- The National Energy Technology Laboratory in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Next Generation of Academia-Based Cyber Research, Development, and Demonstration (RD&D)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.008.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2024-12-19.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-02-18. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $10,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) What is this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is titled The Next Generation of Academia-Based Cyber Research, Development, and Demonstration (RD&D). It is a discretionary federal funding program administered by the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). The Funding Opportunity Number is DE-FOA-0003501.
2) What is the purpose of DE-FOA-0003501?
The purpose is to strengthen the cybersecurity and resilience of U.S. energy infrastructure by supporting university-based research, development, and demonstration efforts. A key theme is moving practical cyber tools and technologies closer to real-world integration for energy-sector operators and stakeholders.
3) Who administers the program?
The program is administered by the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL).
4) Is this a one-time solicitation or an ongoing/open solicitation?
This notice of funding opportunity is described as an open solicitation spanning a five-year period. That structure indicates the program is intended to remain accessible over time, rather than being a single short-window competition.
5) What does "RD&D" mean in this announcement?
In this announcement, "RD&D" refers to research, development, and demonstration. The emphasis suggests support for the full pathway from exploratory work to proof-of-concept and validation, with an endpoint focused on readiness for operational energy environments.
6) What is the expected outcome or end goal of the funded work?
The stated direction is to mature academic innovations into solutions that can be adopted by energy-sector operators and stakeholders, with an endpoint focused on integration into operational energy environments to improve the resilience of critical energy infrastructure.
7) What type of award instrument will be used?
Funding will be provided via a cooperative agreement.
8) What does it mean that the award is a cooperative agreement?
A cooperative agreement generally means the federal government expects a higher level of involvement during the project period than with more hands-off grant mechanisms. The description notes that cooperative agreements often include active collaboration, technical checkpoints, and shared oversight between the awardee and the agency to keep the work aligned with program goals, milestones, and technology transition expectations.
9) What funding activity category does this opportunity fall under?
The opportunity falls under the energy funding activity category.
10) What is the CFDA number associated with this program?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA 81.008.
11) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed as unrestricted. This generally indicates a broad range of applicants may apply, including universities and potentially other entities, as long as they fit the program scope and requirements described in the notice.
12) How many awards does the opportunity anticipate making?
The opportunity anticipates a single award.
13) What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $10,000,000.
14) What does a single award with a $10,000,000 ceiling suggest about the project size?
The description indicates this is likely a substantial, flagship-style project or a center-scale effort, rather than multiple smaller awards.
15) What is the original closing date for the opportunity?
The original closing date is February 18, 2025.
16) When was the opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on December 19, 2024.
17) Why does the announcement emphasize academia?
The opportunity is designed around the idea of using academia as a pipeline for innovation that not only produces new concepts, but also helps mature them into solutions that can be adopted by real energy-sector stakeholders.
18) Why does the announcement emphasize demonstration, not just research?
The inclusion of demonstration indicates interest in work that goes beyond lab concepts toward proof-of-concept, validation, and practical readiness, with a focus on integration into operational energy environments.
19) How does the five-year open solicitation structure relate to cybersecurity?
The announcement notes that cybersecurity is a fast-evolving domain where threat landscapes, operational constraints, and defensive technologies can shift quickly. A multi-year open solicitation can support ongoing participation and periodic evaluation as needs evolve.
20) What is the overarching focus area for the technologies developed?
The overarching focus is cybersecurity and resilience for U.S. energy infrastructure, with an emphasis on practical tools and technologies that can move closer to real-world adoption.
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