Aligning Manufacturability Pre-production Design (AMPD) for Storage Technologies

The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the "Aligning Manufacturability & Pre-production Design (AMPD) for Storage Technologies" initiative, issued by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Electricity, invites applications to advance energy storage technologies through pre-production design innovations. The objective is to improve manufacturability, enabling scalable production to meet the energy storage needs of American consumers. Projects must target increasing Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) and Manufacturing Readiness Levels (MRL) of at least 4 to 5, focusing on materials, subcomponents, components, or systems. The initiative aims to support innovative solutions that reduce energy storage technology production costs while contributing to the Administration's goals for a carbon-free power sector by 2035 and net-zero emissions by 2050. Outcomes are expected to benefit the energy storage industry through cost reductions and deployment of storage systems. Applicants are encouraged to form multidisciplinary partnerships involving research institutions and industry stakeholders, fostering data sharing and collaboration within the energy storage community. The funding scope includes approximately $8 million allocated for four cooperative agreements, each valued at around $2 million with a project duration of 36 months. The cost-sharing requirement is 20% of the total project costs. Proposed projects must specifically address pre-production manufacturability challenges and demonstrate clear pathways to commercialization. Activities improving performance or operational characteristics without manufacturability benefits, mobility energy storage technologies, or non-energy storage technologies are ineligible. DOE will maintain substantial involvement, including project direction, evaluation, and potential funding adjustments. Eligible applicants include domestic entities such as institutions of higher education, for-profit and non-profit organizations, state and local governments, and Indian Tribes. Participation by DOE and non-DOE Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) is limited to subrecipient roles, while foreign entities must meet stringent requirements, including waivers. All project work must be conducted within the United States unless an explicit waiver is approved. Applicants must adhere to comprehensive submission requirements, including a technical volume, budget documentation, letters of commitment, and specific forms. All submissions must be completed through Grants.gov by March 17, 2025, at 5:00 PM ET. Additionally, applicants are required to register with SAM.gov, FedConnect, and Grants.gov before submission. Projects selected for funding will need to participate in a DOE-created promotional video showcasing their achievements. Applications will be evaluated based on technical merit and innovation (30%), significance and impact (40%), project execution and management (15%), and team and resources (15%). Additional selection factors include geographic diversity, alignment with DOE priorities, and contributions to U.S. manufacturing and workforce development. Important dates include the NOFO release on January 16, 2025, application deadline on March 17, 2025, anticipated selection notification by June 23, 2025, and project start date on September 22, 2025. Interested applicants should ensure compliance with all NOFO requirements and review both NOFO Part 1 and Part 2 for complete guidance. For further questions, applicants must use the FedConnect portal.