DE-FOA-0002786: Request for Information (RFI): Stimulating Geochemical Reactions in the Subsurface for in-situ Generation of Hydrogen and Helium Production
Closed
This grant is closed. A newer notice from the same program is open now: Unlocking New Levels of Output and Capacity for Key Subsurface Resources (UNLOCK) (DE-FOA-0003630). Status: Closes November 20, 2026 (13 days left). It is in our archive of Advanced Research Projects Agency Energy notices from 2022.
Advanced Research Projects Agency Energy offered grants to any type of organization. Applications closed on July 11, 2022.
From the official notice on Grants.gov, last changed May 23, 2022. Checked November 7, 2026.
- Award amountsNot given on Grants.gov
- Cost sharingNot required
- Funding typeCooperative Agreement
Key dates
| Posted | May 23, 2022 |
|---|---|
| Deadline | July 11, 2022 |
| Archived by Grants.gov | October 11, 2022 |
Who can apply
This opportunity was open to any type of organization.
- Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility"
This is a Request for Information (RFI) only. This RFI is not seeking applications for financial assistance. THIS NOTICE DOES NOT CONSTITTUE A FUNDING OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT (FOA). NO FOA EXISTS AT THIS TIME.
Is this a realistic fit?
- Most of the program's money (43% over five years) went to colleges and universities.
- No cost sharing or match is required.
What the grant funds
Request for Information (RFI): Stimulating Geochemical Reactions in the Subsurface for in-situ Generation of Hydrogen and Helium Production This is a Request for Information (RFI) only. This RFI is not accepting applications for financial assistance. The purpose of this RFI is solely to solicit input for ARPA-E consideration to inform the possible formulation of future programs. The purpose of this RFI is to solicit input for a potential future ARPA-E research program focused on enabling technical advances which could lead to subsurface chemical reactors and gas separations. ARPA-E is seeking information to test the hypothesis that the subsurface can be used as a reactive environment to produce hydrogen at $1/kg, per DOE’s Hydrogen Shot target , and helium with no carbon emissions. Subsurface reactions have and do occur every day without human intervention, ranging from the mundane like abiogenic methane formation to the exotic like nuclear fission. The subsurface has a number of features which could make it amenable to performing chemical synthesis including hot temperatures (200-400+°F), high pressures, and catalytically relevant metals contained in rocks. It is already known that geothermal heat is a significant source of renewable energy. There are several initiatives devoted to resource discovery and development through the DOE’s Geothermal Technology Office which aim to use this thermal energy to produce electricity or to provide hot water and space heating. However, it may be possible to use this thermal energy for chemical synthesis. Typical deep geothermal temperature ranges (175-400°F) overlap well with chemical and other high-temperature processes. In addition to warm thermal conditions, the subsurface is characterized by high pressures. The pressure gradient at depth is related to hydrostatic pressure change (10 kPa/m). Pressures relevant to typical industrial processes can be accessed at depths that are well within the normal range of subsurface activities today. For example, a typical Haber Bosch process is done at pressures of 400 atm: approximately the same pressure found at a depth of 2 km. Finally, rocks may contain metals which are catalytically relevant for several industrial chemical processes. Nickel-iron alloys are frequently found in rocks and both nickel and iron are common catalytic metals in industrial processes.
Who has won Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy grants before
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (81.135) awarded $1.4 billion across 729 grant awards, an average of $1.9 million per award.
| Recipient | State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| RTX Corporation | Connecticut | 15 | $33.9 million |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Massachusetts | 16 | $31.4 million |
| BWXT Advanced Technologies LLC | Virginia | 1 | $30.9 million |
| Ge Vernova Operations LLC | New York | 8 | $26.4 million |
| University of Maryland, College Park | Maryland | 11 | $23.6 million |
Applying now
This notice no longer takes applications. Apply under the newer notice, DE-FOA-0003630, which is open now.
The notice on Grants.gov keeps its full text and attachments, which is useful for planning a resubmission.
Questions people ask
Is DE-FOA-0002786 still open?
No. It closed on July 11, 2022. A newer notice is open: DE-FOA-0003630, closes November 20, 2026 (13 days left).
Who can apply for Request for Information (RFI): Stimulating Geochemical Reactions in the Subsurface for in-situ Generation of Hydrogen and Helium Production?
Advanced Research Projects Agency Energy accepted applications from any type of organization. The notice adds further conditions, so read its eligibility section.
What is the deadline for Request for Information (RFI): Stimulating Geochemical Reactions in the Subsurface for in-situ Generation of Hydrogen and Helium Production?
Closed July 11, 2022. Applications are no longer accepted; the program's newer notices are on this page when there are any.
Who has won Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy grants before?
The largest recipients over five fiscal years were RTX Corporation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, BWXT Advanced Technologies LLC. The program made 729 awards worth $1.4 billion in that time.