GFO-25-902 - Cost-Share for Federal Geothermal Energy Funding Opportunities
Forecasted
GFO-25-902 - Cost-Share for Federal Geothermal Energy Funding Opportunities supports local jurisdictions and private entities with geothermal and critical-minerals projects that advance California’s energy goals.
Funder: California Energy Commission
Due Dates (Anticipated): June 2027 (Phase I pre-federal award application)
Funding Amounts: Up to $3 million total; Topic 3A up to $2 million, Topic 3C $200,000–$1 million; agreements end within three years of execution
Summary: CEC provides cost-share grants for eligible federally funded geothermal and critical-minerals projects.
Key Information: Applicants seeking retroactive cost-share after receiving a federal award are ineligible.
Description
The California Energy Commission (CEC) offers this solicitation through its Geothermal Grant and Loan Program, administered by the Reliability, Renewable Energy & Decarbonization Incentives Division. It pairs state cost-share funding with awards under federal funding opportunities that CEC identifies as eligible. Applicants first seek a CEC letter of intent before the federal award; final CEC awards depend on federal funding and a second review.
The program supports development of California’s geothermal resources and recovery of critical minerals from geothermal brine. Its broader goals include mitigating adverse impacts of those activities, helping local jurisdictions offset related public-service costs, and advancing California’s energy and climate goals. The listed federal opportunity covers direct lithium extraction and exploration of critical materials in volcanically hosted geothermal systems.
