Funding Track

Apr 2026 | DARPA | ExPEDitions

DARPA has announced a Proposers Day for the upcoming Expeditionary Power- and Energy-Dense Implementations (ExPEDitions) program (DARPA-SN-26-70), providing early insight into a potential future funding opportunity in advanced battery technologies.

This notice is not a formal solicitation, but rather a pre-announcement outlining DARPA’s program vision and technical direction ahead of an anticipated Program Solicitation (PS) expected in May 2026.

The ExPEDitions program is focused on enabling electrically rechargeable batteries with significantly higher energy and power density than current systems, targeting applications where weight and endurance are critical.

• Advanced rechargeable batteries with improved energy and power density
• Overcoming limitations in reaction kinetics and mass transport
• Enabling long-range, weight-sensitive applications (e.g., electric aviation)

DARPA is aiming to support the development of advanced battery prototypes and their integration into system-level demonstrators to extend mission endurance and reduce reliance on fuel logistics.

• Proposers Day: May 14, 2026 (Arlington, VA + webcast)
• Purpose: program overview, DARPA process guidance, and team formation
• Strong emphasis on teaming across academia, industry, and government

While attendance is not required to propose, Proposers Days are often the first signal of high-impact DARPA programs. For groups working in electrochemical systems, materials innovation, or high-performance energy storage, this represents an opportunity to engage early, form collaborations, and prepare for the formal call.

More info: https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/5e8918ca14db440d9ff6a6edccf080ff…

Apr 2026 | DOE | AMMTO/OG CMM Accelerator NOFO

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has released a new funding opportunity under the Critical Minerals and Materials (CMM) Accelerator program (DE-FOA-0003589), supporting the development and scale-up of technologies critical to domestic energy supply chains.

This NOFO provides up to $69M in total funding to advance innovations from bench-scale (TRL 3–4) to prototype-scale (TRL ~6), with a clear pathway toward pilot-scale demonstration and commercialization.

Focus Areas:
• Recovery and production of critical materials (including rare earths) from scrap and secondary sources
• Refining and alloying of semiconductor materials (Ga, GaN, Ge, SiC)
• Direct lithium extraction and processing technologies

Key Details:
• Phase 1 awards: up to ~$2M (≥20% cost share)
• Phase 2 (down-select): up to ~$8M (≥50% cost share)
• Strong emphasis on industry partnerships, TEA/LCA validation, and commercialization pathways
• Target: technologies deployable within 3–7 years

Timeline:
• Letter of Intent: April 21, 2026
• Full Applications: May–July 2026 (varies by topic area)

This program is designed to bridge the “valley of death” for promising materials and processing technologies, with a focus on de-risking and enabling domestic manufacturing scale-up.

For groups working in critical materials processing, recycling, or energy-relevant supply chains, this represents a significant opportunity to transition lab-scale innovations toward real-world deployment.

More info: https://www.energy.gov/cmei/ammto/critical-minerals-and-materials-accel…

Mar 2026 | DOE | CMEI NOFO

Funding opportunity from the Department of Energy’s Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation providing up to $500 million to expand domestic critical minerals processing, battery materials manufacturing, and recycling capacity in the United States. The program supports demonstration or commercial-scale facilities that process raw critical mineral feedstocks, recover battery materials through recycling of manufacturing scrap or end-of-life batteries, and manufacture strategic battery materials and components for defense, grid resilience, transportation, and industrial applications. Target materials include lithium, graphite, nickel, copper, aluminum, and other minerals used in commercial battery technologies, with the goal of strengthening U.S. supply chain resilience and reducing dependence on foreign processing.

Deadlines:

• Letter of Intent: March 27, 2026
• Application Due Date: April 24, 2026

More Info: https://www.energy.gov/cmei/articles/energy-department-announces-500-mi…

Mar 2026 | Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation | Emergent Phenomena in Quantum Systems (EPiQS) Investigator Awards

The Moore Foundation’s Emergent Phenomena in Quantum Systems (EPiQS) Initiative is launching a new phase through its 2026 Investigator competition, providing fully unconstrained six-year research grants to support ambitious and high-risk research in quantum materials. The program seeks outstanding scientists working in experimental research, theory, materials synthesis, or combinations of these approaches to advance fundamental understanding of emergent phenomena in quantum systems. Approximately 17–18 investigators will be selected, with award sizes ranging from about $800,000 for theory investigators to roughly $1.8 million for experimental or materials synthesis investigators. The competition will proceed through staggered calls in 2026 (materials synthesis in February, experimental in May, and theory in August), each beginning with a short pre-application followed by invitations for full proposals. Eligible applicants include tenured, tenure-track, or research faculty at U.S. academic institutions, and selection will emphasize candidates whose work demonstrates the potential to reshape the field through novel concepts, tools, and cross-disciplinary insights. Areas of interest include quantum materials systems such as:

• Strongly correlated materials
• Frustrated magnets and solids exhibiting exotic magnetic behavior
• Materials exhibiting topological order
• Two-dimensional crystals, van der Waals structures, and other low-dimensional systems
• Hybrid quantum materials created by integrating dissimilar components or via external stimuli (e.g., light or strain)

Deadline: Pre-applications due approximately five weeks after each call announcement (Feb / May / Aug 2026 cycles)

More Info: https://www.moore.org/initiative-additional-info?initiativeId=emergent-…

Mar 2026 | DOD DARPA | R&D Funding Opportunities

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) funds high-risk, high-impact research through Broad Agency Announcements (BAAs), program solicitations, and special notices that invite proposals from universities, industry, and government laboratories. These opportunities target transformational technologies that could significantly advance national security capabilities, spanning fields such as advanced materials, energy systems, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, quantum technologies, photonics, and cyber-physical systems. DARPA solicitations typically emphasize novel, non-incremental approaches capable of producing breakthrough capabilities, and they often support early-stage research that can transition into prototype demonstrations or new defense programs. R&D areas include:

• Advanced materials and manufacturing
• Energy technologies and energy storage
• Biotechnology and bioengineering
• Human health, performance, and resilience technologies
• Artificial intelligence and autonomous systems
• Advanced computing and microsystems
• Quantum technologies and quantum computing
• Photonics and optical technologies
• Cyber-physical systems and secure digital infrastructure
• Aerospace systems and advanced vehicle technologies
• Space technologies and mission architectures
• Chemical and catalytic processes
• National security science and disruptive emerging technologies

Deadline: Deadlines vary according to the specific BAA. 

More Info: https://www.darpa.mil/work-with-us/opportunitieshttps://www.nsf.gov/fun…

Mar 2026 | NSF | TRAILBLAZER

The NSF Trailblazer Engineering Impact Award (TRAILBLAZER) supports individual investigators in their pursuit of research which specifically addresses national needs, strengthens U.S. leadership and fosters advances in areas related to AI, quantum engineering, bioengineering, robotics, and nuclear engineering. 

All awarded TRAILBLAZER projects will form a cohort under NSF where PI’s involved will be expected to participates in an annual meeting with the opportunity for additional activities. Proposals may only be submitted by certain types of PIs detailed in the solicitation:  

• Tenured or tenure-eligible Associate or Full Professors at eligible U.S. institutions (or equivalent positions).
• Faculty with appointments in an Engineering School or College, or individuals who hold an Engineering doctorate.
• Researchers with a strong track record of innovation and impactful engineering research capable of pursuing bold new research directions.
• Investigators at U.S. Institutions of Higher Education submitting proposals through their institution.
• Researchers at eligible U.S. nonprofit research organizations with continuing research appointments.
• Single-PI applicants only; collaborative proposals and co-PIs are not permitted.

This first set of challenges will demonstrate how AI can deliver faster discovery, stronger energy systems, and lasting leadership in science, technology, and national security.

Deadline: July 24, 2026

Estimated number of awards: 5

More Info: https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/trailblazer-nsf-trailblazer-e…

Mar 2026 | DOE | Genesis Mission

The U.S. Department of Energy announced 26 science and technology challenges of national importance to advance the Genesis Mission and accelerate innovation and discovery through artificial intelligence (AI).

Working in partnership with DOE’s National Laboratories, industry, and academia, these efforts will deliver tangible results for the American people. Examples include:

• Scaling the Grid to Power the American Economy: Using AI to improve power grid planning, interconnection, operations, and security — enabling decisions up to 20–100 times faster and improving electricity cost and reliability by up to 10 percent.
• Harnessing America’s Historic Nuclear Data: Digitizing eight decades of nuclear research to create a secure, searchable database to inform future energy and security decisions.
• Enhancing Particle Accelerators for Discovery: Deploying AI to make accelerators adaptive and autonomous, accelerating breakthroughs in medicine, materials, and energy.
• Designing Materials with Predictable Functionality: Using AI to design materials based on performance goals, shrinking development timelines from decades to months.
• Unleashing Subsurface Strategic Energy Assets: Applying AI to model underground environments for responsible, cost-effective energy development.
• Achieving AI-Driven Autonomous Laboratories: Automating experiments to speed discovery of new drugs, advanced materials, and next-generation energy technologies.
• Reenvisioning Advanced Manufacturing and Industrial Productivity: Bridging research and production with AI-driven systems that strengthen supply chains, improve manufacturing productivity and capability, speed the design to production loop, and create American jobs.
• Discovering Quantum Algorithms with AI: Accelerating quantum algorithm development to unlock breakthroughs in energy, chemistry, and logistics.
• Recentering Microelectronics in America: Advancing next-generation microelectronics to secure U.S. technological leadership, economic prosperity, and national security.

This first set of challenges will demonstrate how AI can deliver faster discovery, stronger energy systems, and lasting leadership in science, technology, and national security.

Deadline:                TBD

More Info:             chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.energy.gov/documents/genesis-mission-science-and-technology…

Feb 2026 | DOE | SCGSR

The Office of Science Graduate Student Research (SCGSR) program creates a pathway for you to advance your PhD thesis research while working at a Department of Energy (DOE) National Laboratory, collaborating with world-class scientists, and using state-of-the-art facilities and cutting-edge scientific instrumentation. While maximizing the impact of your own research, you will also expand your professional network and develop new opportunities for your future. In addition, you may have the opportunity for conducting a short international research visit to a prestigious institution abroad such as CERN or RIKEN.

The expertise, resources, and capabilities available at DOE National Laboratories and User Facilities are a combination not found anywhere else in the country. The unique opportunity to participate in the SCGSR program supports the goal to develop a new generation of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) experts who are critically important to the DOE Office of Science mission.

Deadline:                May 6, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET

More Info:             https://science.osti.gov/wdts/scgsr

Feb 2026 | USDA | Forest Service Grants

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service today announced up to $95 million in competitive grant funding through its Wood Innovations program for projects that advance innovative wood uses, expand wood-based construction, and grow U.S. wood energy markets and forest product processing capacity.

Funding is available through three Forest Service grant programs: the Wood Innovations Grant, Community Wood Grant, and Wood Products Infrastructure Assistance Grant programs. Together, these programs support projects that:

• Develop innovative wood products
• Increase the use of wood in commercial and residential construction
• Expand wood energy systems
• Modernize, retrofit, or increase the capacity of wood products manufacturing facilities

Deadline:              11:59 pm EST on April 22, 2026

More Info:             https://www.fs.usda.gov/science-technology/energy-forest-products/wood-…

Feb 2026 | NSF | DMR-TMRP

Research supported by the Division of Materials Research (DMR) focuses on advancing the fundamental understanding of materials, materials discovery, design, synthesis, characterization, properties, and materials-related phenomena. DMR awards enable understanding of the electronic, atomic, and molecular structures, mechanisms, and processes that govern nanoscale to macroscale morphology and properties; manipulation and control of these properties; discovery of emerging phenomena of matter and materials; and creation of novel design, synthesis, and processing strategies that lead to new materials with unique characteristics. These discoveries and advancements transcend traditional scientific and engineering disciplines. Projects supported by DMR are not only essential for the development of future technologies and industries that address societal needs, but also for the preparation of the next generation of materials researchers.

Deadlines:            Full proposal accepted anytime

More Info:             https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/dmr-tmrp-division-materials-r…

Feb 2026 | NSF | ECLIPSE

The primary goal of the ECosystem for Leading Innovation in Plasma Science and Engineering (ECLIPSE) program is to identify and capitalize on opportunities for bringing fundamental plasma science investigations to bear on problems of societal and technological need within the scope of science and engineering supported by the participating NSF programs.

The ECLIPSE meta-program has been created to foster an inclusive community of scientists and engineers, an ecosystem spanning multiple NSF Directorates, in the pursuit of translational research at the interface of fundamental plasma science and technological innovation.  The ECLIPSE program builds on the long history of NSF leadership in supporting multi-disciplinary research in plasma science and engineering, and is intended to enhance organizational unity within NSF, and potentially with other funding agencies, in considering proposals and supporting projects that may otherwise struggle to find a natural home within the existing hierarchy of Directorates, Divisions, and programs within the Foundation.

Examples of topical areas within the scope of the ECLIPSE program include but are not limited to:

• Atmospheric pressure plasmas and microplasmas with applications to, e.g., microelectronics, plasma agriculture, environmental remediation, and other clean and decarbonized energy goals enabled by electrification of the chemical industry.
• New chemical measurement science for characterizing processes occurring in plasmas and using plasmas as part of measurement systems with applications to, e.g., analysis of environmental contaminants or identification of forensic evidence.
• Study of fundamental chemical reactions and mechanisms in plasmas with applications to, e.g., novel chemical synthesis.

Deadlines:             August – November 2026, Varies per program

More Info:             https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/eclipse-ecosystem-leading-inn…

Feb 2026 | DOD DARPA | SMASH

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is soliciting innovative proposals around materials processing to enable efficient, scalable element separation across the periodic table. This capability would establish a new technological basis for domestic resource independence.

Specifically, the Smash program aims to create technologies that leverage parallel processing to: (1) drive process yield across multiple elements; (2) maximize energy utilization in the intrinsic separation processes; and (3) ensure solutions are scalable across industrial processing operations.

Proposed research should investigate innovative approaches that enable revolutionary advances in science, devices, or systems. Specifically excluded is research that primarily results in evolutionary improvements to the existing state of practice.

Contact:                  Smash PA Coordinator   Smash@darpa.mil

Deadline:                Apr 24, 2026, 01:00 pm EDT

More Info:               https://sam.gov/opp/6ba704938fc54401b94f8340995dbd6a/view

Feb 2026 | DOE BES | Energy Frontier Research Centers (EFRCs)

The DOE SC program in Basic Energy Sciences (BES) announces a re-competition of the Energy Frontier Research Center (EFRC) program and encourages both new and renewal applications. Applications from multi-disciplinary teams will be required to propose discovery science and use-inspired basic research that address scientific challenges in one or more of the topic areas listed below. The focus of the EFRC program is on fundamental scientific research, therefore applications to this NOFO must not propose applied research and technology development activities. 

BES is soliciting applications in two general categories: BES Report Topics and Special Topics. Applications may respond to topics in both categories. Topic areas are open to both new and renewal applications, unless noted below in Section III. Program Description.

Expected dollar amount for individual award is $3,000,000 to $4,500,000 per year ($12,000,000 to $18,000,000 per award for a 4-year period). Average award size is expected to be $4,000,000 per award per year after the first year of operations.

Deadlines:              

Pre-Application:   April 1, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET

Full Application:  July 1, 2026 11:59 PM ET

More Info:

https://simpler.grants.gov/opportunity/a096bc1f-4aa5-4cee-8e3e-972492c5…

Feb 2026 | DOD DARPA | Future Program - Fleetwood

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Biological Technologies Office (BTO) is issuing this Special Notice (SN) to announce additional research areas of interest for the forthcoming Fleetwood program.

The DARPA Fleetwood program aims to develop novel catalysts to enable the conversion of biomass resources to produce carbon containing chemicals for resilient global chemical manufacturing. Specifically, the Fleetwood program seeks to revolutionize lignin valorization. 

Fleetwood is interested in investigating novel catalytic pathways to access lignin from real biomass, rather than model compounds. Examples of real biomass include but are not limited to agricultural residues, woody biomass, and pulp and paper industry waste. 

Fleetwood is challenging researchers to develop catalysts and novel methods to achieve complete delignification and complete depolymerization to monomers for lignocellulosic feedstocks to produce value-added chemicals. Catalysis pathways include but are not limited to cell-free biocatalysis, thermocatalysis, and electrocatalysis.

Fleetwood is structured over a 24-month period, consisting of a 12-month Phase 1 Base Period followed by a 12-month Phase 2 Option.

Deadline:                Mar 13, 2026, at 11:59 pm EDT

More Info:               https://sam.gov/opp/9c31fd5fa9fd47ce8bc84077adb9f350/view

Feb 2026 | NSF | Accelerating Research Translation (ART)

The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) seeks to increase the scale and pace of advancing discoveries resulting from academic research into tangible solutions that benefit the public. The overarching goal for the Accelerating Research Translation (ART) program is to advance the U.S. scientific and economic leadership by building capacity and increasing the number of robust translational research ecosystems in Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) that span across the full geography of our nation. Innovations can occur anywhere and can be opportunities for creating sustained impacts in every single region of the United States. Achieving translational outcomes as a mechanism to drive sustained economic impacts is the primary aim of the “Accelerating Research Translation” (ART) program.

The ART program is aimed at providing resources that will ultimately facilitate a wide range of IHEs to achieve research translation, accelerate technology transfer, and create sustained economic and collective impacts across the U.S. It is understood that, like technology readiness levels (TRLs), there is no one measure or a combination of measures that can be used to describe the capacity of or measure the research translation readiness level (RTRL) for an IHE.  Some indicators that reflect on RTRL include volume of sustained basic and applied research as measured by research expenditures, robust technology transfer and entrepreneurship related activities (e.g. invention disclosures, patents, licenses, royalties, partnerships with industry, non-profits etc.).  Number of start-ups, resources for entrepreneurial and innovation education and training, the presence of a dedicated technology transfer office are also some of the other indicators that reflect on the RTRL.

Deadline:                Full proposal (due by 5 p.m. submitting organization’s local time):

• January 15, 2026:          Tracks 2 and 5
• March 12, 2026:             Tracks 1, 3 and 4

More Info: 

https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/art-accelerating-research-tra…

Feb 2026 | Dept. of the Army | USACE

The US Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, (USACE) intends to enter into a cooperative agreement with an eligible entity for the management and enhancement of natural resources and assistance in the water safety program at the Raystown Lake Project (RLP). Eligible Entities include non-Federal public and nonprofit entities. 

The USACE anticipates an opportunity for seven (7) Conservation Interns, 2-Natural Resource Management and 5-Water Safety/Interpretation.  Activities include (1) wildlife management, threatened and endangered species monitoring, fisheries management, wildlife habitat enhancement, forest management, and boundary inspection/maintenance; and (2) activities in water safety promotion, updating bulletin boards; maintaining life jacket loaner stations; organizing special events; conducting interpretive programs and roving interpretation; writing news releases; possibly conducting media interviews (radio); promoting USACE safety campaigns; developing public service announcements and interacting with park visitors. This agreement is an opportunity to provide training and education opportunities for conservation interns (two-2) with fish and wildlife, forestry, or education studies backgrounds. 

Deadline:

March 2, 2026

More Info: 

https://simpler.grants.gov/opportunity/420228a7-5311-4356-a946-5de9a4b7…

Feb 2026 | NSF | Translation to Practice (NSF TTP)

The U.S. NSF Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (NSF TIP) partners across sectors to advance three primary focus areas – accelerating technology translation and development, fostering regional innovation and economic growth, and preparing the American workforce for future high-wage jobs in STEM fields.

The translation of research to practice ensures that the insights and innovations developed through scientific study and experimentation have tangible, positive impacts for the Nation. These impacts include improving the quality of life, promoting economic and job growth, ensuring national security, and maintaining global competitiveness. Indeed, scientific and engineering breakthroughs have the potential to address critical societal challenges in industries such as aerospace, agriculture, communications, education, energy, healthcare, national security, and transportation – but the translation of discoveries and innovations from the laboratory to society often takes many forms including non-linear pathways.  

The NSF TTP program offers three tracks that represent different starting points or stages in moving discoveries and innovations from the laboratory to practice:

• NSF TTP-Explore (NSF TTP-E) is a pilot track that is likely to be the first step for researchers seeking to translate their basic research to practice. To be eligible for the NSF TTP-E track, proposers must have an active, eligible, NSF research award (see Eligibility Information for further details). TTP-E is designed to encourage current, eligible NSF awardees to intentionally pursue applications of their research with the potential for societal impact. The NSF TTP-E track provides the opportunity to obtain an extension of the initial award period of a current NSF award for up to two years in order to offer investigators an opportunity to explore adventurous, high-risk, use-inspired research and initial translational activities as the starting point for translation that was not covered by the original research award. 
• NSF TTP-Translate (NSF TTP-T) starts with use-inspired research and initial translational activities and further matures the idea(s), iterates and improves the solution(s), and lowers the barrier(s) to effective translation of research from lab to practice.
• NSF TTP-Partner (NSF TTP-P) supports translational efforts that demand one or more partnerships for technology development and deployment. Here, strategic partnerships with stakeholders beyond U.S. institutions of higher education are essential ingredients for success and may include industry partners, government entities at all levels, philanthropies, international organizations, or other groups associated with large scale productization and distribution. The NSF TTP-P track requires an NSF-Catalyzed Partnership with an organization that will assist in the translation to practice. In addition to the Principal Investigator (PI), NSF TTP-P proposals must include a co-PI or Senior/Key Personnel who is a member or employee of the NSF-Catalyzed Partner. Partnerships with U.S. institutions of higher education are valued, but NSF TTP strongly prioritizes NSF-Catalyzed Partnerships that are able to help bring the product, process, or service to the market, potentially through licensing agreements, startup or small business formation, incorporation into an existing open-source ecosystem, development into standards setting arrangements, etc.

Supplement Due Date(s) (due by 5 p.m. submitting organization’s local time):

• April 01, 2025 - April 01, 2026
  • April 1 - April 1, Annually Thereafter
  • Proposals Accepted Anytime - NSF TTP-E Track Only

Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. submitting organization’s local time):

• May 19, 2026
  • Third Tuesday in May, Annually Thereafter
  • NSF TTP-T and TTP-P Tracks

More Info: 

https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/nsf-ttp-national-science-foun…

Jan 2026 | DOE | Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation (CMEI) has formalized the realignment of a range of programs pertaining to critical minerals, manufacturing, federal codes and standards, and energy technology research and development. CMEI will be divided into three pillars, each of which will be led by a corresponding Deputy Assistant Secretary.

• The Office of Critical Minerals, Materials, and Manufacturing will accelerate mining activities, diversify supply chains for critical minerals and metals, expand battery and magnet research, stimulate innovation in processing and metallurgy, and facilitate the recycling of black mass, battery materials, and other critical minerals.
• The Office of Energy Technology will continue to lead the world in research and development for cutting-edge energy technologies, fuels, chemicals, and hydropower. This office will also drive the commercialization and deployment of technologies that enhance energy networks across the United States and reduce the cost of energy for American ratepayers.
• The Office of Innovation, Affordability, and Consumer Choice will exercise DOE’s appliance standards and building codes authority, with an emphasis on fact-based analysis, process transparency, and consumer choice and affordability. The office also oversees and manages multiple state and community energy and weatherization programs. This office will promote innovation and the adoption of new and beneficial technologies for buildings and industrial applications.

Deadline:        TBD

More Info:       https://www.energy.gov/cmei/office-critical-minerals-and-energy-innovat…

Jan 2026 | DOD DARPA | Promethean Clay Proposers Day

Promethean Clay aims to produce energy storage devices utilizing mechanically co-designed materials to create a new class of system, overcoming the limitations of the rigid exoskeleton in existing systems. This program will enable (1) a generational improvement in energy storage performance through a design free of rigid materials; (2) a device design that can exhibit the thermal and safety performance for practical integration into systems; and (3) a pathway toward domestic sourcing of materials and manufacturing.

The technical challenge of this program is thereby manifested in the mechanical co-design of the materials making up the energy storage framework. The materials must exhibit mechanical connectivity across interfaces, exhibit uniform mechanical properties throughout all materials to mitigate localized stress formation, and still maintain the energy storage function. The resulting energy storage devices will need to demonstrate resilience to thermal conditions and device safety that exceeds current energy storage systems today. Through this co-design approach, the energy storage system will break free of critical limitations of today’s energy storage systems, such as rigid packaging and external pressure requirements.

The rigid exoskeleton in energy storage systems today is made of heavy metals that compress components together to maintain pressure across the device. This removes the need today for mechanical connectivity between the components at the expense of energy density. These heavy metals used as packaging materials occupy a lion’s share of weight in the device as parasitic and inactive mass. Efforts today to reduce the effect of this parasitic mass include increasing areal capacity of the active energy storing material or scaling the energy storage system to larger sizes. However, both approaches have been limited to incremental improvements in achieving performance gains.

Promethean Clay is a four-year program with three phases. This includes a two-year Phase 1 that demonstrates the design of an energy storage framework that can shed its rigid exoskeleton. Phases 2 and 3 will demonstrate an initial prototype device and push integration and application capability significantly beyond the state of the art.

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) will host an in-person Proposers Day in support of the DARPA Program Solicitation (PS) for Promethean Clay on February 25, 2026, at the DARPA Conference Center, 675 N. Randolph Street, Arlington, VA 22203 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET. DARPA anticipates releasing the DARPA-PS-26-16 prior to Proposers Day. If released, the PS will be made available at https://sam.gov/.

Deadline:           Proposers Day February 25, 2026

More Info:          https://sam.gov/opp/5f28b873db924dc1af9f0d0ce982f7e7/view

Jan 2026 | NSF | Environmental Sustainability

The goal of the Environmental Sustainability program is to promote sustainable engineered systems that support human well-being and that are also compatible with sustaining natural (environmental) systems. These systems provide ecological services vital for human survival. Research efforts supported by the program typically consider long time horizons and may incorporate contributions from the social sciences and ethics. The program supports engineering research that seeks to balance society’s need to provide ecological protection and maintain stable economic conditions.

There are five principal general research areas that are supported.

• Circular Bioeconomy Engineering: This area includes research that enables sustainable societal use of food, energy, water, nitrogen, phosphorus, and materials, with the reduction and eventual elimination of fossil fuel combustion that lacks carbon capture. The program encourages research that helps build the raw material basis for the functioning of society principally on biomass, drawing heavily on sustainable agriculture and forestry. Additionally, material flows must reduce or preferably eliminate waste, with an emphasis on closed-loop or “circular” processing.
• Industrial ecology: Topics of interest include advancements in modeling such as life cycle assessment, materials flow analysis, net energy analysis, input/output economic models, and novel metrics for measuring sustainable systems. Innovations in industrial ecology are encouraged.
• Green engineering: Research is encouraged to advance the sustainability of manufacturing processes, green buildings, and infrastructure. Many programs in the Engineering Directorate support research in environmentally benign manufacturing or chemical processes. The Environmental Sustainability program supports research that would affect more than one chemical or manufacturing process or that takes a systems or holistic approach to green engineering for infrastructure or green buildings. Improvements in distribution and collection systems that will advance smart growth strategies and ameliorate effects of growth are research areas that are supported by Environmental Sustainability. Innovations in management of storm water, recycling and reuse of drinking water, and other green engineering techniques to support sustainability may also be fruitful areas for research.
• Ecological engineering: Proposals should focus on the engineering aspects of restoring ecological function to natural systems. Engineering research in the enhancement of natural capital to foster sustainable development is encouraged.
• Earth systems engineering: Earth systems engineering considers aspects of large-scale engineering research that involve mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions, adaptation to climate change, and other global concerns.

Deadline:         Full proposal accepted anytime

More Info:        https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/environmental-sustainability

Jan 2026 | NSF | Mid-Scale RI-1 

The NSF Mid-scale Research Infrastructure-1 Program (Mid-scale RI-1) supports the design and implementation of research infrastructure — including equipment, cyberinfrastructure, large-scale datasets and personnel — whose total project costs are under $20 million.

Within Mid-scale RI-1, proposers may submit two types of projects, “Implementation” (e.g., acquisition and/or construction) or “Design”. The “Design” track is intended to facilitate progress toward readiness for a mid-scale range implementation project. Both Implementation projects and Design activities may involve new or upgraded research infrastructure. Mid-scale RI-1 “Implementation” projects may have a total project cost ranging from $4 million up to but not including $20 million. Mid-scale RI-1 “Design” activities may request less than $4 million, with a minimum request of $400,000 and a maximum request up to but not including $20 million, as appropriate, to prepare for a future mid-scale range implementation project. Note: Successful award of a Mid-scale RI-1 design activity does not imply NSF’s commitment to the future implementation of the project being designed, nor is a Mid-scale RI-1 design award required for the submission of an implementation project.

The Mid-scale RI-1 Program seeks to broaden the representation of PIs and institutions in its award portfolio, including a geographically diverse set of institutions (especially those in EPSCoR jurisdictions). Proposals submitted by, or involving partnerships between institutions are encouraged. Participation in this opportunity is encouraged for the full spectrum of diverse talent society has to offer to include PIs who are women, early-career researchers, persons with disabilities, or members of other groups underrepresented in STEM. To improve participation in science and engineering research for persons with disabilities, Mid-scale RI-1 encourages PIs to incorporate accessibility as part of Mid-scale RI-1 design activity and implementation projects.

Deadlines:          Preliminary Proposal due September 1, 2026

More Info:          https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/mid-scale-ri-1-mid-scale-research-infrastructure-1

Jan 2026 | US Advanced Battery Consortium | RFPI 

The United States Advanced Battery Consortium LLC (USABC) Request for Proposal Information (RFPI) process represents a unique opportunity for developers and fabricators to leverage their resources in combination with those of the automotive industry and the federal government. For the automakers, this type of pre-competitive cooperation minimizes duplication of effort and risk of failure and maximizes the public benefits of government funds.

USABC intends to announce new funding opportunities in 2025 for EV cells, battery components, and recycling technologies. The program targets will strive to improve costs, energy density, efficiency, and domestic supply chain robustness.

There are nine active Request For Proposal Information (RFPI). Select a specific RFPI from the document links on the page, then select ‘RFPI Process’ from the menu bar for information about the submission process.

1. EV Cells: battery cells used in EVs.
2. High Energy EV Cells: battery cells used in EVs with a focus on high energy density.
3. Low-Cost Earth Abundant EV Cells: battery cells used in EVs, with a focus on technologies that utilize low-cost or earth-abundant materials. The proposed development should prioritize the reduction or total elimination of one or more critical materials as defined by the DOE, such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, or graphite.
4. Active Materials: active materials to be used in automotive traction applications.
5. Inactive Materials: inactive material technologies which enable battery cell designs with improved supply chain-related features and/or enhanced performance.
6. Separators: battery cell performance and/or safety. The proposed technologies should enable a significant improvement over the available baseline separator technology when incorporated in an appropriate cell design.
7. Electrolytes: electrolytes to be used in automotive traction applications.
8. Recycling: battery recycling technologies for electric vehicles.
9. Prototype Cell Fabricators: prototype cell fabricators that may subsequently be engaged to produce cells for USABC evaluation.

Deadline:  February 28, 2026

More Info: https://uscar.org/usabc/active-rfpis/

Jan 2026 | NSF | Catalysis 

The goals of the Catalysis program are to increase fundamental understanding in catalytic engineering science and to advance the development of catalysts and catalytic reactions that are beneficial to society. Research should focus on critical challenges and opportunities in both new and proven catalysis technologies. Areas of emphasis may include novel catalyst compositions, structures, operating environment, data science tools, theory, and modeling – preferably in various combinations as dictated by the specific reaction and related knowledge and technology gaps. Target applications include fuels, specialty and bulk chemicals, environmental catalysis, biomass conversion to fuels and chemicals, greenhouse gas mitigation, recycling of waste materials, generation of solar hydrogen, as well as efficient routes to energy utilization.

Topic areas of particular interest include:

• Energy-related catalysis, utilizing renewable or sustainable energy in lieu of thermal, fossil fuel-based technologies, especially applications in electrocatalysis, photocatalysis, and catalytic conversion of biomass-derived chemicals, and also including fuel cell catalysis.
• Catalysis aimed at closing the carbon cycle (especially conversion of carbon dioxide, methane, and natural gas to fuels and chemical intermediates).
• Heterogeneous catalytic alternatives to traditionally non-catalytic or homogeneous reaction processes, as well as new catalyst designs for established catalytic processes.  
• Environmental catalysis focused on mitigating both air and water pollutants, and supporting energy-efficient upcycling of waste materials to higher-value products.
• Catalytic remediation of feedstocks, process streams, products, or effluents.
• Commercially scalable methods of catalyst synthesis, including durable, poison-resistant, and easily regenerable catalyst formulations and designs.
• New catalytic materials and architectures (especially those substituting earth-abundant materials for precious and noble metal catalysts).
• Basic understanding of catalytic materials, reaction pathways, kinetics, and surface reaction mechanisms.
• Advanced tools for catalyst characterization and theoretical/computational catalysis.

Deadline:  Throughout the year

More Info: https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/catalysis

Dec 2025 | U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) | RFI

The objective of this RFI is to get a better picture of potential  of academic institutions in providing science, technology, and engineering support for ARL. This partnership will cover both basic and applied research, as well as advanced technology development, which can be uniquely facilitated with dedicated and trusted academic partners capable of handling, producing, and storing sensitive information and work products. The institutions will provide support to ARL focused eleven technical fields (with some non-exhaustive examples of CUI+ type projects in each field):

1. Biological & Biotechnology Sciences (non-medical focus): Exploring the potential of biological systems for Army applications, including synthetic biology, biomaterials, and bio-integrated technologies.
2. Electromagnetic Spectrum Sciences: Advancing capabilities in sensing, counter-sensing, electronic warfare, and spectrum protection.
3. Energy Sciences: Developing innovative solutions for power generation, storage, conversion, and directed energy technologies (including lasers).
4. Humans in Complex Systems (non-medical focus): Investigating how humans interact with and benefit from advanced technologies, focusing on cognitive enhancement, integrated sensors, and human-technology teaming.
5. Mechanical Sciences: Pioneering advancements in robotics (including swarm robotics), autonomous vehicles (including shape-shifting designs), and human-machine interfaces.
6. Military Information Sciences: Leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning for improved decision-making, predictive maintenance, logistics, and communication.
7. Network, Cyber & Computational Sciences: Securing information and systems through advanced encryption, cyber defense, and integrated cross-domain operations (land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace).
8. Photonics, Electronics & Quantum Sciences: Exploring the frontiers of quantum computing/information, advanced timing technologies, and photonic/electronic devices based on emerging quantum materials.
9. Sciences of Extreme Materials: Designing and developing advanced materials with exceptional properties, including lightweight strength, self-healing capabilities, and novel manufacturing processes.
10. Terminal Effects: Analyzing weapon-target interactions, material properties under impact, and mechanisms related to human injury and protection.
11. Weapon Sciences: Conducting research into ballistics, guided weapon systems, and the development of new weapon concepts.

Furthermore, we anticipate interdisciplinary projects covering two or more research areas and requiring teams of people with disparate expertise to successfully address the research questions or goals. The following topics are included, although this list is not comprehensive.
 

  12.   Sensing and Intelligence
  13.   UAS Engineering and Control
  14.   Energetics
  15.   Autonomy and collaboration
  16.   Protection Technologies and Accurate Modeling

Submission:

• meaghan.l.pimsler.civ@army.mil. 
   

DEADLINES: 

• December 31, 2025, 4:00 PM EST
   

More Info:

• https://arl.devcom.army.mil/collaborate-with-us/opportunity/arl-baa/

Oct 2025 | DOD - DARPA | DSO Pitch Day

The mission of DARPA’s Defense Science Office (DSO) is to identify and sponsor scientific discovery to fuel innovation in research and development for defense. DSO develops and executes an aggressive and forward-leaning portfolio that accelerates the development and maturation of scientific advances across a broad set of technical areas to create asymmetric advantage for U.S. National Security. DSO aims to create strategic surprise by pushing technology toward its fundamental scientific limits, thereby expanding the art of the possible. In addition, DSO looks for transformative trends at the global scale and their potential impact on our nation. The goals of the DSO Pitch Day are to:

1. fund proposals for targeted, short-term efforts with the potential to grow into groundbreaking new DARPA programs, and
2. employ an acquisition strategy to encourage participation by new and first-time or non-traditional proposers. This funding opportunity will aim to broaden DARPA’s reach with small businesses, educational institutions, and other non-traditional performers to break down barriers of entry for performers new to DARPA and the national security space.

BAA Coordinator: DSO-PitchDay@darpa.mil

Deadlines:

• Abstract Submission: Oct 27, 2025, 12:00 pm EDT

More info

Sep 2025 | DOD - DARPA | Defense Sciences Office
(DSO) Office-wide BAA

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Defense Sciences Office (DSO) is soliciting proposals that investigate innovative approaches that enable revolutionary advances in science, devices, or systems for national security applications. DSO organizes its research portfolio into the high-interest thrust areas described below:

1. Materials, Manufacturing, and Structures. Breaking the tension between
   performance and efficiency for critical parts, production 4 processes, energetics,
   superconductors, and propulsion.
2. Sensing, Measuring, and Affecting. Developing and leveraging new science to overcome existing barriers limiting the performance and/or practicality of sensing, measurement, and control, to achieve orders of-magnitude improvement in operational capabilities.
3. Math, Computation, and Processing. Enabling quantum, reimagining classical, and developing entirely new forms of computing for enhanced efficiency and new capabilities. Solutions may range from new approaches to hardware (implementation) to representation and computation.
4. Complex, Dynamic, and Intelligent Systems. Creating new scientific capabilities for classes of systems that evolve and adapt and for which traditional reductionist, data-driven, and statistical methods fail. Systems of interest include, but are not limited to, foundations of intelligence, human-AI ecosystems, homeostatic mechanisms, and global systems.

The BAA Coordinator for this effort may be reached at: HR001125S0013@darpa.mil

Deadlines:

• Executive Summary: rolling basis until June 2, 2026, at 4:00 PM
• Proposal Abstract: rolling basis until June 2, 2026, at 4:00 PM
• Proposal Due: rolling basis until June 2, 2026, at 4:00 PM

More Info

Aug 2025 | Navy SBIR, Artificial Hardwood Replacement for Dry Docking Blocks

The conventional topic to be funded is to develop a hardwood replacement compound for the blocks being used in dry docking ships. This loading is perpendicular to the wood grain and in compression only. Wood is used for its compliance under these forces. The replacement compound product does not need to look like wood or have a grain. 

Capability Requirements/Performance Goals

A replacement compound for the hardwood caps would:

• Have the same or greater compressive strength when compared to white oak

• Have similar stress-strain characteristics to white oak

• Be nailable with similar or greater pullout strength to white oak

• Be able to withstand at least 330 LT for up to five years while remaining dimensionally stable

• Be immune to fungal and insect attack

• Be submersible without degradation 

• Have the same or greater friction with concrete and steel without damaging the surface

• Be shapeable with woodworking tools

• Be nontoxic with nontoxic byproducts from cutting and forming 

• Be price competitive to white oak

• Be produced in lead times under 30 days for up to 20k board-feet

Deadlines:

DON begins accepting proposals: 27 August 2025

Topic Q&A closes to new questions: 10 September 2025

Full proposals due: no later than 12:00 p.m. ET 24 September 2025

More Info 

Aug 2025 | USDA-NIFA Agriculture and Food Researches

This notice identifies the objectives for Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Foundational and Applied Science program projects, deadlines, funding information, eligibility criteria for projects and applicants, and application forms and associated instructions. AFRI is America’s flagship competitive grants program that provides funding for fundamental and applied research, education, and extension projects in the food and agricultural sciences. In this RFA, NIFA requests applications for the six AFRI priority areas through the FAS Program for FY 2026. The goal of this program is to invest in agricultural production research, education, and extension projects for more sustainable, productive, and economically-viable plant and animal production systems. It is imperative to develop innovative, safe, and sustainable management strategies for livestock (including poultry and aquaculture species), crops, and critical underlying resources.
 

In 2026, applications are sought in the following priority areas:
1. Plant health and production and plant products;
2. Animal health and production and animal products;
3. Food safety, nutrition, and health;
4. Bioenergy, natural resources, and environment;
5. Agriculture systems and technology; and
6. Agriculture economics and rural communities
 

The amount available for programs included in the FY 2026 AFRI FAS RFA is approximately $300,000,000. Funding from FY 2026 appropriations will be used for the programs solicited in this RFA. Funding from FY2025 appropriations was provided to applications submitted to the FY24 AFRI FAS RFA published December 15. 2023. The amount available to support the AFRI program is anticipated to be approximately $407,000,000, of which $300 million will be used to
support AFRI FAS programs.

DEADLINE:

Full Application Submission: vary by program area (between October and November 2025)

More Info

Jul 2025 | DE-FOA | Energy Critical Materials Assessment

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) invites public comment on its Request for Information (RFI) number DE-FOA-0003568 regarding the 2026 Energy Critical Materials Assessment. This RFI seeks public comment on energy technologies of interest, materials of interest, supply chain information, market dynamics, challenges to domestic industry, methodology, DOE critical materials and DOI critical minerals lists, and other stakeholder issues related to the Energy Critical Materials Assessment. Such input will inform the 2026 Energy Critical Materials Assessment.

Responses to this RFI must be submitted electronically to EnergyCriticalMaterialsRFI@ee.doe.gov no later than 5:00pm (ET) on July 25, 2025.

This is solely a request for information and not a Notice of funding Opportunity (NOFO). AMMTO is not accepting applications.

DEADLINES:

Full Application Submission Deadline: 7/25/2025 5:00 PM ET

More Info

Jan 2025 | DE-FOA | Turbine Technology

The activities to be funded under this NOFO support BIL sections 41007(b)(2) and the broader government-wide approach to strengthen critical domestic manufacturing and supply chains and to maximize the benefits of the clean energy transitionas the nation works to curb the climate crisis, empower workers, and advance environmental justice. This BIL section, through reference to section 3003(b)(4) of the Energy Act of 2020, addresses:

• Research and development projects to create innovative and practical approaches to increase the reuse and recycling of wind energy technologies, including:
  • by increasing the efficiency and cost effectiveness of the recovery of raw materials from wind energy technology components and system,
  • by minimizing potential environmental impacts from the recovery and disposal processes,
  • by advancing technologies and processes for the disassembly and recycling of wind energy devices,
  • by developing alternative materials, designs, manufacturing processes, and other aspects of wind energy technologies and the disassembly and resource recovery process that enable efficient, cost effective, and environmentally responsible disassembly of, and resource recovery from, wind energy technologies; and,
  • strategies to increase consumer acceptance of, and participation in, the recycling of wind energy technologies.

DEADLINES:

• Full Application Submission: 2/11/2025 5:00 PM ET

More info

Dec 2024 | ARPA-E | RECOVER

The RECOVER program seeks to develop technologies to concentrate and recover high value energy materials from aqueous waste streams. Priority high value energy materials for the program are ammonia and metals considered critical to energy and diversifying the U.S. supply chain. Ammonia is produced using the Haber-Bosch process with a high energy and greenhouse gas penalty, and much of this ammonia ends up in municipal and animal waste streams where it is destroyed without recovery. Critical metals are obtained from ore mining and processing and are almost entirely sourced from overseas; their use in infrastructure and military technologies makes their supply a matter of national concern. Produced water and mining waste streams have sufficient amounts of key critical metals to displace all or most of U.S. imports. The RECOVER program will enable: i) the replacement of 50% of conventional ammonia supplies, and all or partial critical metals imports, ii) the valorization of multiple high value energy materials from an aqueous waste stream, iii) the reduction of energy demands and CO2-equivalent (CO2eq) emissions for ammonia and critical metals procurement, and iv)the recovery of market-valuable products at competitive prices. Recovery of market-valuable products will create new revenue sources for aqueous waste stream processors, thereby reducing net costs and contributing to improved water treatment outcomes.

DEADLINES:

• Letter of Intent: None.
• Concept Paper Submission: 12/31/2024 9:30 AM ET
• Full Application Submission: TBD

More info

Dec 2024 | ARPA-E | NOFO

The Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy (ARPA-E) is considering issuing a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to support the development of technologies aimed at accelerating genetic engineering for bioenergy crops. This potential NOFO would focus on bioenergy crops that significantly address ARPA-E mission areas, such as decreasing energy imports and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, as well as strengthening U.S. leadership in developing and deploying energy technologies. The purpose of this Teaming Partner List announcement is to facilitate the formation of new project teams to respond to the potential NOFO. Any NOFO issued in the future would provide specific program goals, technical metrics, and selection criteria. If there are any inconsistencies between this announcement and the potential NOFO, the NOFO language would be controlling.

DEADLINES:

• Letter of Intent: None.
• Concept Paper Submission: TBD
• Full Application Submission: TBD

More info

Dec 2024 | ARPA-E | CATALCHEM-ESBIR/STTR

The Catalytic Application Testing for Accelerated Learning Chemistries via High-throughput Experimentation and Modeling Efficiently SBIR/STTR (CATALCHEM-ESBIR/STTR) program aims to disrupt and accelerate the design and development cycle for heterogeneous catalyst R&D workflows. The program will span from rational material discovery to synthesis and final reactor testing. These novel workflows will be developed by coupling the latest advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) with high-throughput experimentation (HTE) to verifiably complete 10–15 years of traditional catalysis R&D work within 12–18 months, thus achieving more than a ten-time acceleration in the catalyst development cycle. The program will then use these new tools to discover and optimize catalytic chemistries relevant to ARPA-E’s goals. These new chemistries will ultimately help advance the objective of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

DEADLINES:

• Letter of Intent: None
• Concept Paper Submission Deadline: 12/17/2024, 9:30 AM ET
• Full Application Submission Deadline: TBD

More Info