DOE Opens $100M for Accelerating CO2 Conversion Technology Development and Deployment – Biological, Catalytic, and Mineralization Pathways
Submission deadline for full application is 5:00 PM (EST), April 11, 2025.
Announcement Type: Notice of Funding Opportunity (this program is accepting applications)
Opportunity: Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Accelerating CO2 Conversion Technology Development and Deployment – Biological, Catalytic, and Mineralization Pathways
Overview and Eligible Uses: The Carbon Conversion Program, funded under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), will invest up to $100 million over two years (FY 2026-2028) to advance research and development (R&D) of carbon conversion technologies. The program aims to mitigate climate change by converting anthropogenic CO2 into valuable products such as chemicals, fuels, building materials, and bioproducts. This initiative supports decarbonization goals, economic sustainability, and environmental justice by promoting clean energy solutions, reducing waste, and creating good-paying jobs in disadvantaged communities.
The program focuses on overcoming technological and economic barriers to scaling carbon conversion technologies. It emphasizes high-TRL (>5) pilot-scale projects using biological, catalytic, or mineralization pathways, and encourages lifecycle analysis (LCA) development and product testing to enable market adoption.
The funding supports four main Topic Areas (TAs):
Topic Area 1: Pilot Scale Biological Conversion: Includes algae-based and non-photosynthetic biological CO2 conversion technologies.
Topic Area 2: Pilot Scale Catalytic Conversion: Covers thermochemical and electrochemical methods for CO2 conversion.
Topic Area 3: Pilot Scale Mineralization: Focuses on synthetic aggregates, alternative binders, and CO2 injection or carbonation techniques.
Topic Area 4: Testing and LCA Development: Involves product performance testing and technical support for carbon utilization LCAs.
Amount:
Topic Area 1: Pilot Scale Biological Conversion
DOE anticipates awarding up to $30,000,000 for 2-4 awards, with individual awards of approximately $8,000,000 each.Topic Area 2: Pilot Scale Catalytic Conversion
DOE anticipates awarding up to $30,000,000 for 2-4 awards, with individual awards of approximately $8,000,000 million each.Topic Area 3: Pilot Scale Mineralization
DOE anticipates awarding up to $30,000,000 for 2-4 awards, with individual awards of approximately $8,000,000 each.Topic Area 4: Testing and LCA Development for Commercialization
DOE anticipates awarding up to $10,000,000 for 5 awards, with individual awards of approximately $2,000,000 each.
Award Type: Cooperative Agreement
Eligible Applicants:
Domestic Entities:
Institutions of higher education.
For-profit organizations.
Nonprofit organizations.
State and local governments.
Federally recognized Indian Tribes (as defined by 25 U.S.C. § 5304).
Foreign Entities:
Generally ineligible as recipients or subrecipients.
May apply as a recipient or subrecipient only with an explicit DOE-approved waiver.
Waiver requests must be included in the application and are subject to DOE approval without appeal rights.
A foreign entity may participate if it designates a U.S.-based subsidiary or affiliate as the recipient.
Participant Limitations:
DOE and Non-DOE FFRDCs may only participate as subrecipients, not as prime applicants.
Federal agencies (excluding DOE) can participate as subrecipients but are typically not eligible as recipients.
NETL is ineligible for award or participation as a recipient or subrecipient.
Key Dates:
Submission deadline for full application is 5:00 PM (EST), April 11, 2025.
Key Links:
For a full list of currently available grant programs under the Infrastructure Law and other helpful tools, take a look at our Helpful Resources page.
This tracker will continue to send updates when new funding opportunities are announced.
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