Fiscal Year 2020 H2@Scale New Markets FOA | DE FOA 0002229

Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0002229

The Fiscal Year 2020 H2@Scale New Markets FOA (DE-FOA-0002229) is a U.S. Department of Energy funding opportunity issued through the DOE Golden Field Office under EERE that aims to speed up practical, large-scale adoption of hydrogen across the economy. The program sits under the broader H2@Scale initiative, which is organized around improving the full hydrogen value chain: better ways to make hydrogen, move it, use it, and store it. Building on the prior FY19 H2@Scale FOA that supported research and development plus early pilot demonstrations of integrated energy systems (including configurations tied to on-site nuclear power and multiple renewable sources), this FY20 FOA shifts strongly toward scaling affordable technologies and proving new applications that can expand both hydrogen supply and demand.

DOE states that more than $64 million in federal funding is available through this solicitation, with an expected 21 awards and an anticipated award ceiling of $9,000,000 per project. Awards are planned as cooperative agreements, meaning DOE anticipates substantial involvement during the project period (for example, technical direction, go/no-go decisions, and active project management typical of cooperative agreements). The funding activity category is Energy and the CFDA number listed is 81.087.

The FOA is structured around six technical topic areas that collectively address manufacturing scale-up, key enabling materials, heavy-duty fuel cell performance and domestic production, and real-world demonstrations in emerging markets. Topic 1 targets electrolyzer manufacturing R&D, focusing on innovations that can reduce cost, increase throughput, and improve quality and reliability in the production of electrolyzer systems used to make hydrogen from water. Topic 2 addresses advanced carbon fiber for compressed hydrogen and natural gas storage tanks, reflecting the reality that high-pressure storage is central to many hydrogen logistics pathways and that material improvements can directly translate into lower tank cost, lighter weight, and broader deployment.

Topic 3 centers on fuel cell R&D for heavy-duty applications, broken into two subtopics: Subtopic 3a focuses on membranes for heavy-duty applications, highlighting the need for durability and performance under more demanding duty cycles and operating conditions than typical light-duty use. Subtopic 3b focuses on domestically manufactured fuel cells for heavy-duty applications, reflecting an explicit interest in strengthening U.S. manufacturing capability and supply chains while pushing fuel cell systems toward heavy-duty markets such as trucks and other high-utilization platforms. Topic 4 funds H2@Scale new markets R&D under the "HySteel" theme, signaling a focus on hydrogen use in steel-related processes and other industrial pathways where hydrogen could reduce emissions and open new demand.

The FOA also emphasizes demonstrations, not just lab-scale work. Topic 5 is dedicated to H2@Scale new markets demonstrations, with Subtopic 5a targeting maritime demonstrations and Subtopic 5b targeting data center demonstrations. These areas are framed as emerging applications where hydrogen and fuel cells can be integrated into real operating environments, helping validate performance, reliability, safety practices, and economics while creating replicable models for broader adoption. Finally, Topic 6 supports training and workforce development for emerging hydrogen technologies, acknowledging that deployment at scale requires technicians, engineers, operators, safety specialists, and other skilled workers who understand hydrogen production, handling, and end-use systems.

Eligibility is broad and includes state, county, city/township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments and other tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and even individuals. This wide eligibility supports the FOA's mix of R&D, manufacturing, demonstrations, and workforce efforts, which often require partnerships among industry, universities, national labs, and public entities.

Applications had to be submitted through the EERE Exchange portal (https://eere-exchange.energy.gov), with required registration and electronic submission of application materials. The FOA used a two-step timeline with a concept paper deadline of February 25, 2020 at 5:00 pm EST and a full application deadline of April 20, 2020 at 5:00 pm EST, with the original closing date also listed as April 20, 2020. Questions about the announcement content and the mechanics of submission were directed through instructions provided in the full FOA on EERE Exchange. Overall, the opportunity is designed to move hydrogen technologies from incremental improvements into scaled manufacturing and credible, sector-specific demonstrations that can unlock new markets and accelerate real deployment.

• The Department of Energy, Golden Field Office in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Fiscal Year 2020 H2@Scale New Markets FOA" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.087.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jan 23, 2020.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 20, 2020 Submission Deadline for Concept Papers February 25, 2020 500pm EST Submission Deadline for Full Applications April 20, 2020 500pm EST. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $9,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 21 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Individuals, For profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses.

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