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

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Description

This opportunity, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), provides substantial support for the design, development, and construction of large-scale, common carrier carbon dioxide (CO₂) transportation infrastructure. The program aims to accelerate the deployment of shared CO₂ transport systems—such as pipelines, rail, ship, barge, and truck freight—that connect anthropogenic CO₂ sources (including direct air capture) with conversion or geologic storage sites. Projects must be developed in conjunction with a new or converted “Base Project” and must provide uncontracted, expanded capacity to meet projected future increases in CO₂ transport demand.

The program is part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Carbon Dioxide Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation (CIFIA) Program, Section 40304, and is designed to address barriers to private investment in “oversized” CO₂ transport infrastructure by providing federal cost-sharing for the incremental capacity.

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Due Dates

• Review Period 1
  • Letter of Interest: February 17, 2025 (5:00pm ET)
  • Full Application: April 1, 2025 (5:00pm ET)
• Review Period 2
  • Letter of Interest: May 15, 2025 (5:00pm ET)
  • Full Application: July 1, 2025 (5:00pm ET)
• Review Period 3
  • Letter of Interest: August 18, 2025 (5:00pm ET)
  • Full Application: October 1, 2025 (5:00pm ET)
• Review Period 4
  • Letter of Interest: November 18, 2025 (5:00pm ET)
  • Full Application: January 2, 2026 (5:00pm ET)

Note: A Letter of Interest (LOI) is required for each review period; only those submitting an LOI by the deadline are eligible to submit a full application for that period. Late LOIs may be considered for subsequent review periods.

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Funding Amount

• Total Program Funding: Up to $500,000,000 (subject to appropriations)
• Anticipated Number of Awards: Up to 5 (may be more, depending on funding and project size)
• Typical Award Size: $25,000,000–$100,000,000 (federal share per project)
• Award Ceiling: $500,000,000 (federal share)
• Award Floor: $1
• Project Duration: Up to 5 years (with at least 3 budget periods)
• Cost Share: Minimum 20% non-federal cost share required

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Eligibility

• Eligible Applicants:

  • Domestic entities, including:
    • For-profit entities
    • State and local governmental entities
    • Indian Tribes (as defined in 25 U.S.C. § 5304)
  • Eligibility is restricted to projects determined eligible for the CIFIA program (see Section III.A.i of the FOA).
  • Applicants must first submit a Letter of Interest and receive a CIFIA eligibility determination from DOE.

• Ineligible:

  • Foreign entities (unless a waiver is granted)
  • Nonprofits described in section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code that engaged in lobbying after December 31, 1995
  • Entities debarred or suspended from federal programs
  • NETL may not be a prime recipient or subrecipient

• Project Requirements:

  • Projects must be developed in conjunction with a new or converted “Base Project” (not existing CO₂ transport infrastructure unless repurposed for CO₂ service).
  • The Base Project must transport at least 1 million metric tons of anthropogenic CO₂ per year.
  • The Expanded Project must provide additional, uncontracted capacity to meet future demand.
  • Projects must be common carrier infrastructure, connecting at least two anthropogenic CO₂ sources to one or more conversion or storage sites.

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Application Process

1. Letter of Interest (LOI):

   • Submit via the DOE Loan Program Office (LPO) CIFIA Pre-Application Request for Consultation.
   • LOI must be submitted at least 45 days before the full application deadline for each review period.
   • DOE will review LOIs for CIFIA eligibility and issue a determination.

2. Full Application:

   • Only applicants with a favorable LOI determination may submit a full application.
   • Applications must be submitted via Grants.gov.
   • Required components include technical volume, project management plan, business case analysis, financial plan, community benefits plan, regulatory plan, and more (see FOA for full list).
   • Applications must address Buy America, Davis-Bacon, and other federal requirements.

3. Review and Selection:

   • Applications are reviewed in four competitive review periods.
   • DOE may conduct pre-selection interviews or clarifications.
   • Awards are subject to negotiation and Go/No-Go reviews between project phases.

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Additional Information

• Cost Share: At least 20% of total project costs must be from non-federal sources.
• Buy America: All iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials used in infrastructure projects must be produced in the U.S. (with some exceptions for for-profit prime recipients).
• Davis-Bacon Act: Prevailing wage requirements apply to construction, alteration, or repair work.
• Community Benefits Plan: Required, addressing job quality, labor engagement, diversity, equity, and Justice40 Initiative goals.
• Environmental Review: Projects are subject to NEPA and other environmental compliance requirements.
• Phased Funding: Projects are funded in phases, with Go/No-Go decision points between phases.
• Areas of Interest:
  • AOI 1: Projects with a Base Project funded by a DOE LPO CIFIA Loan
  • AOI 2: Projects with a Base Project funded by non-CIFIA sources

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External Links

• Official Grants.gov Opportunity Page (DE-FOA-0002966)
• NETL CIFIA Program Overview
• DOE Carbon Matchmaker Tool
• FedConnect (for full FOA and amendments)
• DOE Community Benefits Plan Guidance

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Contact Information

For technical questions, submit via the FedConnect portal.

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