DE-FOA-0002835: RFI Ultra-Fast-Triggered Semiconductor Devices for Enhanced System Resiliency
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 September 9, 2022.
From the official notice on Grants.gov, last changed August 11, 2022. Checked November 7, 2026.
- Award amountsNot given on Grants.gov
- Cost sharingNot required
- Funding typeCooperative Agreement
Key dates
| Posted | August 11, 2022 |
|---|---|
| Deadline | September 9, 2022 |
| Archived by Grants.gov | December 8, 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
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 and development program focused on development of materials and device technologies to support advances in grid resiliency and reliability. ARPA-E seeks input from power electronics, optoelectronics, photonics, and other related communities regarding the development and demonstration of next-generation ultra-fast semiconductor devices (potentially light controlled/triggered) for enhanced resiliency and reliability of power electronics systems ranging from kilowatts to gigawatts of power. Consistent with the agency’s mission, ARPA-E is seeking clearly disruptive, novel technologies, early in the R&D cycle, and not integration strategies for existing technologies. Power electronic conversion systems are capable of decoupling dynamics between system sources, distribution, and loads, while improving system controllability, reliability, resilience, and efficiency. These benefits are already being realized in a variety of applications, such as electric cars, ships, and airplanes, where power electronics replace traditional thermal, mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems. To realize these benefits in grid applications and to enable widespread integration while maintaining and improving grid resiliency and reliability, new approaches are needed to overcome several technical challenges, including: • Device operation at voltages and currents more compatible with H/MV grid requirements (15 kV-110kV+) • Electromagnetic Interference issues and losses being driven by increased switching speed • Ultra-fast switching required to protect against faults and power surges (avoiding thermal overload) Despite great strides made, today’s semiconductor power electronics suffer from performance limitations. They still cannot reach current and voltage levels required by high and medium voltage (H/MV) grid applications, requiring series and/or parallel stacking of multiple devices in multi-level modules to meet current and voltages requirements. This poses challenges to reliability and introduces additional complexity and cost due to increased part count.
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-0002835 still open?
No. It closed on September 9, 2022. A newer notice is open: DE-FOA-0003630, closes November 20, 2026 (13 days left).
Who can apply for RFI Ultra-Fast-Triggered Semiconductor Devices for Enhanced System Resiliency?
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 RFI Ultra-Fast-Triggered Semiconductor Devices for Enhanced System Resiliency?
Closed September 9, 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.