Annual Recurring University Training and Research
This grant funds U.S. university research and training to educate future engineers and scientists, support early-stage projects, and expand opportunities for underrepresented groups.
Funder: National Energy Technology Laboratory
Due Dates: July 25, 2027 (LOI 2) | August 15, 2027 (Application 2) | July 25, 2028 (LOI 3) | August 15, 2028 (Application 3)
Funding Amounts: $1–$750,000 per award for 36 months; $10,750,000 estimated total funding
Summary: Supports university-led, early-stage subsurface energy research that combines technology development with student training and workforce preparation.
Key Information: A domestic non-academic partner is mandatory and cannot be a single-owner LLC or sole proprietorship.
Description
The University Training and Research program is sponsored by DOE’s Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office (HGEO) and administered by NETL. It supports novel, early-stage research at U.S. colleges and universities while educating the next generation of engineers and scientists, expanding institutional research capacity, and increasing opportunities for underrepresented and structurally marginalized communities.
This opportunity focuses on Innovative Research and Training for Subsurface Energy Production. Projects must address a listed priority in Coal, Oil & Gas, or Geothermal, integrate student training, and demonstrate potential for technology market impact within 5–10 years after completion. Non-academic partners must help shape research, support technology transition, and provide student mentorship and work experience. Projects are expected to advance from technology readiness levels 2–4 to levels 3–5.
