Funding Notice: Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas FOA-3428

Office: Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations 

Solicitation Number: DE-FOA-0003428 

Access the Solicitation: OCED eXCHANGE 

FOA Amount: up to $400 million 

Background Information 

On October 3, 2024, the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) opened applications for up to $400 million to spur innovative, community-focused, clean energy solutions in communities across the country with 10,000 or fewer people. This funding—made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law—will help those rural or remote communities demonstrate the viability of commercially available technologies; de-risk clean energy infrastructure investment; demonstrate replicability; and provide insights for future ventures. 

Eligibility 

Applicant teams must address at least one of the following: improving overall cost-effectiveness of energy generation, transmission, or distribution systems; siting or upgrading transmission and distribution lines; reducing greenhouse gas emissions from energy generation in rural or remote areas; providing or modernizing electric generation facilities; developing microgrids; or increasing energy efficiency.  

The following entities are eligible to apply: tribes and tribal organizations, state and local governmental entities, non-profit and for-profit entities, rural electric cooperatives, farming associations and cooperatives, labor unions, institutions of higher education, and both incorporated and unincorporated consortia. Download the full funding opportunity for more information on eligibility.  

Topic Areas 

This Notice of Funding Opportunity provides support for rural and remote communities to build clean energy projects that benefit their communities. Benefits could include cleaner, more resilient, more reliable, and/or more affordable local energy sources for rural and remote communities. These projects could also increase local energy independence, tax revenue, economic development and diversification, and local jobs, and reduce environmental and health burdens. DOE will consider proposals that include (non-exhaustive): 

  1. Improving overall cost-effectiveness of energy generation, transmission, or distribution systems;  
  2. Siting or upgrading transmission and distribution lines;  
  3. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from energy generation in rural or remote areas;  
  4. Providing or modernizing electric generation facilities;  
  5. Developing microgrids; and  
  6. Increasing energy efficiency. 

Funding will support materials, equipment, time, labor, and other resources to build clean energy projects in rural or remote communities and other allowable costs arising from activities as proposed (e.g., collaboration, outreach, and engagement with stakeholders and tribes, or workforce development programs). 

OCED intends to fund 20-50 projects with an award size of at least $2 million and no more than $50 million in federal funds. Each award is required to provide a minimum of 5-50% non-federal cost share. 

Download the full funding opportunity for more information. 

Key Dates

Applications Open:10/3/2024 
Deadline for Concept Papers:2/27/2025 by 5 p.m., ET
Deadline for Full Applications: 8/28/2025 by 5 p.m., ET
Anticipated Award Date: Spring 2026 

Additional Information