Bipartisan Infrastructure Law - Carbon Dioxide Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation (CIFIA) Program: Future Growth Grants (Section 40304)

The Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) DE-FOA-0002966, issued by the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM), supports the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Carbon Dioxide Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation (CIFIA) Program, specifically for Future Growth Grants (FGG) under Section 40304. This FOA seeks to develop large-scale commercial carbon dioxide (CO₂) transportation infrastructure projects that accommodate projected increases in demand. Projects must be designed as common carrier infrastructure capable of connecting multiple CO₂ sources with geologic storage sites or conversion facilities using transportation modes such as pipelines, rail, trucks, and marine shipping. The FOA focuses on two Areas of Interest (AOI). AOI 1 targets projects financed through a CIFIA Loan from the DOE Loan Program Office (LPO) for the Base Project, while AOI 2 addresses projects with Base Project funding secured from non-CIFIA sources. Both areas require applicants to demonstrate an Expanded Project that increases CO₂ transportation capacity beyond the Base Project's initial design. Projects must provide details on infrastructure design, cost differentiation between Base and Expanded Projects, technical feasibility, environmental impact considerations, and workforce and community benefits. A total of $500 million in federal funding is anticipated, with awards ranging between $25 million and $100 million per project. The FOA is expected to issue up to ten awards, with a performance period of up to five years, structured across three phases: Detailed Project Planning (Phase 1), Development, Permitting, and Financing (Phase 2), and Procurement, Construction, and Commissioning (Phase 3). Projects must demonstrate substantial completion within the specified timeframe and ensure long-term sustainability. Eligible applicants include domestic entities such as for-profit organizations, state and local governments, and Indian Tribes. Foreign entities may apply but must request a waiver. Cost sharing of at least 20% of total project costs is required, with contributions from non-federal sources. Compliance with federal regulations, including the Build America, Buy America requirements, environmental impact assessments, and community benefits plans, is mandatory. Submission requires applicants to first submit a Letter of Interest, with deadlines staggered across four review periods throughout 2025 and 2026. Only applicants with approved Letters of Interest are eligible to submit Full Applications. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov, and applicants must complete all registration requirements, including SAM, UEI, and FedConnect accounts. Evaluation criteria focus on technical merit, cost-effectiveness, project feasibility, and alignment with DOE priorities, including environmental justice, workforce engagement, and community benefits. Projects will be assessed based on their ability to meet projected CO₂ transportation demand, technical feasibility, risk management, and potential contribution to DOE’s carbon management goals. Awards are subject to Go/No-Go decision points between project phases to ensure continued alignment with objectives.