DE-FOA-0003581: Request for Information (RFI) on Active Substations with Flexible Large Power Transformers
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 2025.
Advanced Research Projects Agency Energy offered grants to any type of organization. Applications closed on September 22, 2025.
From the official notice on Grants.gov, last changed September 4, 2025. Checked November 7, 2026.
- Award amountsNot given on Grants.gov
- Cost sharingNot required
- Funding typeCooperative Agreement
Key dates
| Posted | September 4, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Deadline | September 22, 2025 |
| Archived by Grants.gov | December 22, 2025 |
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 CONSTITUTE A NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY (NOFO). NO NOFO 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. RFI - Active Substations with Flexible Large Power Transformers The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to solicit input for a potential future ARPA-E program to support research and development (R&D) projects focused on technologies to improve the resilience, reliability, and security of the electric grid through innovations in substations. The goal of this potential R&D effort is to support the development of technologies that fast-track the manufacturing of large power transformers (LPT) and other substation components, while increasing their modularity, performance, functionality, and power density. ARPA-E is seeking information at this time regarding transformative, scalable, and rapidly deployable technologies that could: - Reduce the cost, lead time, and size of substation components; - Reduce the requirement for critical materials in substations and the grid; - Improve the power capacity of existing infrastructure; - Improve the stability and resilience of the grid; and - Enhance protection of substation assets from cybersecurity threats. ARPA-E is requesting information about substation-related problems and the technological innovations that could address those problems. While significant and wide-ranging opportunities for improvement exist, ARPA-E programs seek to identify specific priority areas for technology development to make maximum impact. Therefore, this RFI solicits input from a wide range of disciplines and stakeholders such as power systems and power electronics experts, transformer manufacturers, substation developers, magnetic material scientists, energy storage experts, and other related communities to explore innovative and disruptive ideas related to active substations. ARPA-E is interested in input related to substation planning, design and commissioning, magnetic and copper material usage, and system resilience. ARPA-E is also interested in large power transformer-related challenges such as supply chains, manufacturing, and transport. It is expected that respondents will inform the agency of key components or system-level areas where accelerated advancements are needed.
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-0003581 still open?
No. It closed on September 22, 2025. A newer notice is open: DE-FOA-0003630, closes November 20, 2026 (13 days left).
Who can apply for Request for Information (RFI) on Active Substations with Flexible Large Power Transformers?
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) on Active Substations with Flexible Large Power Transformers?
Closed September 22, 2025. 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.