Funding Opportunities

The U.S. Department of Energy makes funding available through competitive funding opportunity announcements (FOAs), published on Grants.gov and the EERE Exchange. To get started, watch DOE's Information Session Series with recorded videos explaining the VTO FOA process and application components.

Securing project funding is critical to the success of Clean Cities and Communities efforts to implement alternative fuels, advanced vehicle technologies, and fuel-saving strategies. Funding opportunities are available from many sources inside and outside the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

DOE's Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO) has awarded more than $570 million through the Technology Integration Program to fund hundreds of projects across the country that advance deployment of efficient and sustainable transportation technologies. Clean Cities and Communities stakeholders have played critical roles in the success of these projects. Learn more about funded projects.

Open Funding Opportunities

Current funding opportunities that may be of interest to Clean Cities and Communities stakeholders, including VTO funding opportunity announcements (FOAs) issued by the U.S. Department of Energy, are listed below when available. To suggest adding a funding opportunity to this list, contact us.

Funding Opportunity Announcement to Advance Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Technology for Clean, Low-Cost Hydrogen Production

The U.S. Department of Energy announced up to $4 million in federal funding to make clean hydrogen a more available and affordable fuel for electricity generation, industrial decarbonization, and transportation. Specifically, the funding opportunity will support research and development (R&D) projects that will expand the versatility and applicability of solid oxide fuel cell technology—a source of efficient, low-cost electricity from hydrogen or natural gas—with a focus on reversible solid oxide fuel cell (R-SOFC) systems.

Type: FOA
Program: DOE Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM)
Application Deadline: Dec. 2, 2024
Eligibility: U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents, domestic entities (such as for-profit entities, educational institutions, and nonprofits that are organized, chartered or incorporated), domestic public entities (e.g., state, local, and tribal government entities), federally funded research and development centers and national laboratories, federal entities, and foreign entities

Notice of Intent To Issue FY24 VTO Batteries and Electrification Funding Opportunity Announcement

The anticipated FOA targets Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO) research and development projects potentially including:

Demonstration of Smart Charge Management for Electric Vehicles
Improved 12 Volt Lead Acid Batteries for Safety-Critical Electric Vehicle Applications
Develop Vehicle or Structural Level Strategies to Reduce the Likelihood of the Cascading Effects of Electric Vehicle Fires
Battery Electrode, Cell, and Pack Manufacturing Cost Reduction
Silicon-Based Anodes for Lithium-Ion Batteries
High Energy Density Conversion Cathodes

Tentative FOA issue date: July/August 2024

Type: NOI
Program: DOE Vehicle Technologies Office

Notice of Intent to Issue SuperTruck Charge FOA

The U.S. Department of Energy announced a notice of intent to fund projects that would provide innovative research, development, and demonstration of concepts for delivering charging solutions for trucks. The opportunity also supports approaches for load management and delivery of grid services that alleviate grid capacity challenges at charging installations for medium- and heavy-duty electric vehicles. The SuperTruck Charge program will focus on demonstrating technologies to accelerate the widespread buildout of the charging infrastructure necessary for battery electric medium- and heavy-duty trucks.

Tentative FOA issue date: June 2024

Type: NOI
Program: DOE Vehicle Technologies Office

Connect with a Clean Cities and Communities coalition for information about current or potential Clean Cities and Communities project partnerships and relevant funding opportunities.

FOAs are also listed on Grants.gov, the portal for numerous grant programs administered by federal government agencies, and the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Exchange for all EERE FOAs.

Requests for Information also create an opportunity for Clean Cities and Communities partners to share information that may be used for planning and decision-making purposes, including but not limited to determining potential new areas of focus, funding opportunities, analyses, and organizational frameworks.

Laws and Incentives

The Alternative Fuels Data Center maintains a comprehensive database of Federal and State Laws and Incentives related to alternative fuels and vehicles, air quality, fuel efficiency, and other transportation-related topics.

Other Funding Opportunities

Transportation-related funding opportunities from organizations and federal agencies outside of DOE are listed below. Some of the government agencies listed have ongoing funding opportunities available; others issue funding notices periodically or assist in forming partnerships that can provide funding opportunities for transportation-related projects.

U.S. Department of Transportation

Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) Program: Administered by the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration, CMAQ funds projects and programs that reduce transportation-related emissions and relieve traffic congestion. Funds are distributed locally through metropolitan planning organizations.
Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP): The FLAP was established to improve transportation facilities that provide access to, are adjacent to, or are located within federal lands. The program supplements state and local resources for public roads, transit systems, and other transportation facilities, with an emphasis on high-use recreation sites and economic generators.
Voluntary Airport Low Emissions (VALE) Program: The VALE Program is designed to reduce sources of airport ground emissions. The program provides funding for fueling and charging stations, low-emission vehicles, and other airport air quality improvements.
Transit Investments for Greenhouse Gas and Energy Reduction (TIGGER) Program: The TIGGER Program works with public transit agencies to implement strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and energy use from transit agency operations.

EERE Exchange

EERE Exchange is an informational hub that hosts funding opportunities administered by DOE's EERE. EERE Exchange is the only location where organizations can apply for EERE funding opportunities online. Search for open funding opportunity announcements on EERE Exchange.

Environmental Protection Agency

Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) Funding: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides funding for emissions and idle reduction devices, vehicle replacements, and alternative fuel options and other strategies that reduce diesel emissions.
Grants and Funding Opportunities: EPA provides links to grant programs and information about applying for EPA grants.
EPA Regions: EPA regional offices can issue funding for projects in their respective geographic areas.
Environmental Education Grants Program: EPA's Office of Environmental Education supports projects that enhance public awareness, knowledge, and skills to help citizens make informed decisions that affect environmental quality.
EPA Research Grants: This website contains EPA funding opportunities for research, as well as past and present research projects.

Grants.gov

Grants.gov is an information hub for numerous funding opportunities administered by federal government agencies. Grants.gov allows organizations to search and apply for competitive funding opportunities online. Search for open funding announcement opportunities on Grants.gov.

National Science Foundation

Smart & Connected Communities (S&CC): The National Science Foundation's S&CC program supports the creation of scientific and engineering foundations that will enable smart and connected communities. The program provides funding for a variety of integrative research areas including energy and transportation and mobility.

State Energy Offices

State energy offices research, demonstrate, and support the adoption of alternative fuel, renewable energy, and energy-efficient technologies; spur energy-related economic development; and promote energy security and emergency preparedness. These offices can help you identify potential sources for project funding. Find your state energy office from the National Association of State Energy Officials website.

Additional Funding Opportunities

Explore additional funding opportunities from federal government agencies:

Grants and loans from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development
Loan guarantees for clean energy projects from the DOE Loan Programs Office.

Requests for Information

Current transportation-related Requests for Information are listed below when available. To suggest adding a Request for Information to this list, contact us.