DE-FOA-0002972: Request For Information on Rethinking Energy Storage Technologies for Planes, Trains & Ships “Battery 1k”
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 2023.
Advanced Research Projects Agency Energy offered grants to any type of organization. Applications closed on March 8, 2023.
From the official notice on Grants.gov, last changed February 8, 2023. Checked November 7, 2026.
- Award amountsNot given on Grants.gov
- Cost sharingNot required
- Funding typeCooperative Agreement
Key dates
| Posted | February 8, 2023 |
|---|---|
| Deadline | March 8, 2023 |
| Archived by Grants.gov | May 9, 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 program focused on energy storage technologies that can deliver a specific energy equivalent to, or exceeding, 1000 watt-hours per kilogram (Wh/kg). Of particular interest are technologies that are not extensions of current mainstream electrochemical device thinking or short-term technology road maps. The goal is to gauge the potential to realize exceptionally high-energy storage solutions that would be capable of catalyzing broad electrification of the aviation, railroad, and maritime transport sectors. ARPA-E is seeking information at this time regarding transformative and implementable technologies that could accelerate electrification of transport including the following industries: (a) Aviation: “Battery 1K” can enable regional flight on aircraft transporting up to 100 people. (b) Railways: “Battery 1K” can enable cross-country travel in the United States (U.S.) with fewer stops while also reducing the amount of infrastructure needed for charging/refueling. (c) Maritime: This is a diverse category but higher energy density options will open up additional electrification possibilities. (d) Trucks: Strategies and plans to electrify this sector are in place however, “Battery 1K” would enable longer range and higher freight loads. Upon consideration of metrics discussed in the RFI, the traditional energy storage device “playbook” must be cast aside. An overwhelming majority of batteries “live” in boxes, are “plugged-in” to charge, and in the case of personal passenger electric vehicles (EVs) are used only 5% of the time. For the remaining 95%, EVs are typically parked with a battery that is either idle or charging slowly. In sharp contrast, for the transportation sectors of interest to this RFI, the energy storage device may be required to (1) operate continuously over extended periods of time, (2) refuel/recharge/reset rapidly, and (3) achieve exceptional longevity. It is also worth noting that constraints on volumetric energy density are reasonably anticipated to be dependent on the specific application, although perhaps less important than gravimetric energy density in the case of aviation, for example.
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-0002972 still open?
No. It closed on March 8, 2023. A newer notice is open: DE-FOA-0003630, closes November 20, 2026 (13 days left).
Who can apply for Request For Information on Rethinking Energy Storage Technologies for Planes, Trains & Ships “Battery 1k”?
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 on Rethinking Energy Storage Technologies for Planes, Trains & Ships “Battery 1k”?
Closed March 8, 2023. 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.