DE-FOA-0003520 Maximizing Algal System Yield (MASY) | DE FOA 0003520

Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0003520

DE-FOA-0003520, titled Maximizing Algal System Yield (MASY), is a U.S. Department of Energy opportunity run through the Golden Field Office that focuses on pushing algae closer to broad commercial use as a domestic bioenergy resource. The central purpose is to fund high-impact, applied research and development that tackles the technical "pinch points" holding back algae cultivation and preprocessing. In practical terms, the NOFO is aimed at projects that can measurably improve algal system performance and lower the cost of producing algae-based biofuels and/or bioproducts by improving how algae are grown, managed, and prepared for downstream conversion.

The funding is offered as cooperative agreements, meaning DOE expects an active partnership role during the project period rather than a hands-off grant. The NOFO anticipates making about six awards, with an award ceiling of $3,500,000 per project. The activity category is energy (CFDA 81.087), and the work is positioned as applied R&D with a clear emphasis on outcomes that improve process economics, not just basic science results. The agency is signaling that they are looking for solutions with practical relevance to real cultivation and preprocessing systems, where improvements in yield, reliability, and operational efficiency can translate into lower unit costs.

A wide range of applicant types are eligible. This includes state, local, and tribal governments; public and private institutions of higher education; nonprofits (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)); public housing authorities; individuals; for-profit companies (including small businesses); and other eligible entities listed in the NOFO. One key limitation is that DOE/NNSA federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs) and national laboratories may not apply as the prime recipient. They can still participate on a project team as subrecipients. This restriction is explicitly tied to DOE rules around competition (referencing 2 CFR 910.126) and is meant to preserve space for private-sector led and non-lab-led teams, given the scale of ongoing national laboratory funding in this area.

The application process has two major deadlines and requires a Concept Paper before a full application. The Concept Paper is due February 21, 2025 at 5:00 PM ET, and the Full Application is due May 15, 2025 at 5:00 PM ET. Submissions are handled through DOE's EERE eXCHANGE system, and the system enforces "hard" deadlines: once the deadline passes, the APPLY and SUBMIT buttons disable automatically. Because of that, teams are expected to plan ahead and avoid last-minute submissions that could be blocked by upload or system issues.

DOE also provides guidance on what to do if technical problems occur. If an applicant runs into submission issues before the deadline, they are instructed to contact the eXCHANGE helpdesk (exchangehelp@hq.doe.gov) for assistance, and eXCHANGE administrators (eXCHANGE@ee.doe.gov) may also help resolve issues. If technical difficulties cause a late submission, DOE may accept the application only under narrow conditions: the issue must be beyond the applicant's control, the applicant must have contacted the helpdesk for assistance, and the application must be submitted through eXCHANGE within 24 hours of the posted deadline. This is essentially a limited safety valve for verified system-related problems, not a general extension policy.

To encourage stronger teams and reduce the friction of finding collaborators, DOE points applicants to a Teaming Partner List compiled under a related Notice of Intent (search DE-FOA-0003517 in eXCHANGE). The list is intended to help organizations identify potential partners and form new consortia, which can be important for algae projects that often span strain development or selection, cultivation system engineering, harvesting/dewatering approaches, preprocessing steps, analytics, and techno-economic considerations.

For official details, applicants are directed to the full FOA document on https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/. Questions specific to this funding opportunity must be sent to FY25BETOMASYNOFO@ee.doe.gov, which is the designated point of contact for FOA-related inquiries.

• The Golden Field Office in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "DE-FOA-0003520 Maximizing Algal System Yield (MASY)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.087.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2025-01-16.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-05-15. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $3,500,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 6 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Individuals, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.

Apply for DE FOA 0003520

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