DE-FOA-0002874: Request for Information (RFI): Enabling Technologies for Improving Fusion Power Plant Performance and Availability
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 November 28, 2022.
From the official notice on Grants.gov, last changed November 21, 2022. Checked November 7, 2026.
- Award amountsNot given on Grants.gov
- Cost sharingNot required
- Funding typeCooperative Agreement
Key dates
| Posted | October 21, 2022 |
|---|---|
| Deadline | November 28, 2022 |
| Archived by Grants.gov | February 28, 2023 |
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-funded research program focused on two overarching themes: (A) Improving fusion power plant performance and (B) Increasing fusion power plant availability. ARPA-E identifies and funds applied research and development to translate science into breakthrough energy technologies with large commercial impact. The ALPHA (Accelerating Low-Cost Plasma Heating and Assembly) , BETHE (Breakthroughs Enabling THermonuclear-fusion Energy) , and GAMOW (Galvanizing Advances in Market-Aligned Fusion for an Overabundance of Watts) fusion programs, each contribute to enabling timely, commercially viable thermonuclear fusion energy. However, there remain technological and economic gaps that need to be closed to enable timely demonstration and deployment of fusion energy. To close these gaps, a path forward should include the development of low-cost enabling technologies that improve fusion power plant performance as well as increase plant availability. Improving performance with innovative heating schemes and high-performance targets: For both magnetic fusion energy (MFE) and laser inertial fusion energy (IFE) concepts, increasing the wall-plug efficiency (WPE) of plasma heating systems and lasers, respectively, reduces the required recirculating power and therefore increases the fraction of the fusion power which can be delivered to the grid, thereby reducing the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE). An additional challenge for IFE concepts is the need for large quantities (~million/day) of low-cost targets designed for to the chosen laser technology that can survive injection into the target chamber at high velocity. Increasing FPP availability through accelerated discovery of novel fusion materials: Presently, there is no solution for a plasma-facing material that can handle the expected heat, neutron flux, and particle load without significant erosion and melting, requiring periodic replacement at high cost. The development of materials with the ability to survive the harsh reactor environment is essential for cost competitive fusion energy.
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-0002874 still open?
No. It closed on November 28, 2022. A newer notice is open: DE-FOA-0003630, closes November 20, 2026 (13 days left).
Who can apply for Request for Information (RFI): Enabling Technologies for Improving Fusion Power Plant Performance and Availability?
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): Enabling Technologies for Improving Fusion Power Plant Performance and Availability?
Closed November 28, 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.