Funder: U.S. Department of Energy Headquarters (DOE) - https://www.energy.gov
Due Dates: August 28, 2025
Funding Amounts: Up to $50 million total available; funding provided as cooperative agreements.
Summary: Supports projects in rural or remote communities (pop. ≤10,000) to improve energy systems, reduce emissions, and increase efficiency using commercially available technologies.
Key Information: Applicants must select one of four topic areas and submit proposals via the OCED Funding Opportunity Exchange.
Description
This funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of Energy Headquarters targets rural and remote communities with populations of 10,000 or fewer residents. These areas often face higher energy costs, less resilient energy infrastructure, and limited access to clean energy alternatives compared to urban areas. The program aims to support projects that improve the cost-effectiveness, reliability, and environmental impact of energy systems in these communities.
Eligible project activities include:
- Enhancing cost-effectiveness of energy generation, transmission, or distribution systems
- Siting or upgrading transmission and distribution lines
- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from energy generation
- Providing or modernizing electric generation facilities
- Developing microgrids
- Increasing energy efficiency
Projects may utilize any commercially available technology that aligns with these activities. Applicants must choose one of four specified topic areas for their project proposal.
All applications must be submitted through the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) Funding Opportunity Exchange platform.
Due Dates
- Application deadline: August 28, 2025
Funding Amount
- Total funding available: Approximately $50 million
- Funding mechanism: Cooperative agreements
- Award sizes and durations may vary depending on project scope and budget proposals.
Eligibility
- Projects must serve rural or remote communities with populations of 10,000 or fewer.
- Technologies proposed must be commercially available.
- Eligible applicants are not explicitly limited in the announcement; typically includes universities, private companies, non-profits, and local governments. Confirm eligibility on the official site.
Application Process
- Applicants must submit proposals through the OCED Funding Opportunity Exchange portal.
- Proposals must clearly identify which of the four topic areas the project addresses.
- Detailed application instructions and full funding opportunity announcement are available on the OCED website.
Additional Information
- This program addresses the unique challenges faced by small rural and remote communities in accessing affordable, reliable, and clean energy.
- The Department of Energy Headquarters oversees this funding opportunity, providing strategic direction and management.
- The Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations is currently reviewing Notices of Funding Opportunity Announcements; applicants should monitor the OCED site for updates.
External Links
Contact Information
| Contact Point | Details |
|---|
| Funder | U.S. Department of Energy Headquarters (DOE) |
| Address | 1000 Independence Ave., SW Washington, DC 20585 |
| Phone | (202) 586-5000 |
| Email | LM@hq.doe.gov |
| Website | https://www.energy.gov |