Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) - Speed to Power through Accelerated Reconductoring and other Key Advanced Transmission Technology Upgrades (SPARK)
SPARK funds projects that quickly upgrade electric grid infrastructure and technology to boost capacity, reliability, and affordability, while encouraging partnerships and using existing transmission corridors.
Funder: National Energy Technology Laboratory
Due Dates: April 2, 2026 (Concept paper) | May 20, 2026 (Full application)
Funding Amounts: Total program funding: $1.9B | Individual awards: $10M–$250M (DOE share), up to 48 months
Summary: Supports projects that accelerate upgrades to the U.S. electric grid for greater capacity, resilience, and affordability through advanced transmission technologies and reconductoring.
Key Information: Mandatory cost share: typically 50% (25% for small utilities); eligibility varies by topic area.
Description
This funding opportunity, administered by the U.S. Department of Energy's National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) through the Office of Electricity, seeks proposals to rapidly upgrade and modernize the U.S. electric grid. The program aims to address national, interregional, and regional grid needs by supporting projects that deliver measurable improvements in grid capacity, reliability, and affordability. Projects must combine physical infrastructure upgrades (such as reconductoring) with advanced transmission technologies (ATTs) to expand transfer capability, strengthen reliability and resource adequacy, and reduce consumer costs while leveraging existing rights of way. The initiative is part of the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) program, funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).
