Next-Generation Geothermal Field Tests and Geothermal Resource Characterization and Confirmation
Closed Posted
- Opportunity number
- DE-FOA-0003472
- Agency
-
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Department of Energy
- Applications due
- Award size
- $1,000,000 to $25,000,000
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
- Funding instrument
- Cooperative Agreement
- Category
-
- Energy
- Eligible applicants
-
- Unrestricted
- Points of contact
-
- Amber A. Walls amber.walls@ee.doe.gov (720) 661-5458
- Angel Daniel Nieto angel.nieto@ee.doe.gov (240) 562-1448
- Full announcement
Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy seeks applicants to conduct field-scale tests of next-generation geothermal technologies and exploration drilling activities to characterize and confirm promising geothermal prospects for electrical power production. This Notice of Funding Opportunity (DE-FOA-0003472) targets research and development, testing, and evaluation of advanced geothermal approaches including Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) and closed-loop systems under real-world conditions. Applicants must demonstrate technical merit and impact (weighted 45%), project approach (30%), and team qualifications and resources (25%), with consideration given to technological diversity, geographic distribution, environmental permitting certainty, and alignment with the GeoVision Roadmap and Geothermal Technologies Office Multi-Year Program Plan. Eligible applicants include domestic institutions of higher education, for-profit and nonprofit entities, state and local governments, Indian Tribes, and DOE Federally Funded Research and Development Centers, with all work required to be performed in the United States. Letters of Intent are due March 27, 2026, with full applications due May 14, 2026, and anticipated award notification on July 30, 2026.
Approximately $171.5 million in total funding is available across fiscal years 2023-2025, distributed between Topic Area 1 (EGS Field Tests) offering up to $100 million for 4-10 awards of $10-25 million each, and Topic Area 6 (Drilling for Resource Exploration) offering $71.5 million for 8-18 awards of $4-8 million each. Project durations range from 12-60 months depending on the topic, with the estimated period of performance running from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2031. All awards are structured as cooperative agreements requiring a minimum 20% cost share from non-federal sources, and recipients must comply with induced seismicity mitigation protocols, public disclosure requirements for subsurface fluids and additives, and mandatory data submission to the DOE Geothermal Data Repository. All work must be performed in the United States unless an explicit written waiver is approved.
Synopsis
2 versions
Update #2 · Latest ·
In Part C. Expected Performance Goals section, the paragraph titled All Topic Areas: Reporting of All Fluids and Fluid Additives Used in Subsurface Activities was modified with new information regarding the acceptance of Geothermal wells in the referenced directory. - This NOFO targets field-scale tests at depths and temperatures appropriate for full-scale project development. These tests are intended to support research and development (R & D), testing, and evaluation of next-generation development technologies and approaches, and the applicability of those approaches in select real-world conditions. Additionally, this NOFO targets exploration drilling activities required to gather data to support the characterization and potential confirmation of promising next generation and hydrothermal prospects for electrical power production. These projects will directly support the DOE's emphasis on learning-by-doing and helping to identify and focus R & D priorities. In the end, the knowledge gained from these tests will support future funding decisions regarding the development approach and the location for development. Strategic goals for this NOFO are derived from the GeoVision Roadmap, and GTO's Multi-Year Program Plan (MYPP).
Update #1 ·
This NOFO targets field-scale tests at depths and temperatures appropriate for full-scale project development. These tests are intended to support research and development (R & D), testing, and evaluation of next-generation development technologies and approaches, and the applicability of those approaches in select real-world conditions. Additionally, this NOFO targets exploration drilling activities required to gather data to support the characterization and potential confirmation of promising next generation and hydrothermal prospects for electrical power production. These projects will directly support the DOE's emphasis on learning-by-doing and helping to identify and focus R & D priorities. In the end, the knowledge gained from these tests will support future funding decisions regarding the development approach and the location for development. Strategic goals for this NOFO are derived from the GeoVision Roadmap, and GTO's Multi-Year Program Plan (MYPP).
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