DE-FOA-0003606: Improving Efficiency, Reliability, and Flexibility of Coal-Based Power Plants
Closed
This grant is closed. Who won this program's grants before is below, and similar open grants are at the end of the page. It is in our archive of National Energy Technology Laboratory notices from 2025.
National Energy Technology Laboratory offered grants of up to $48.0 million (at least $1) to any type of organization. It expected to make about 15 awards worth $100 million in total. Applications closed on January 23, 2026.
From the official notice on Grants.gov, last changed January 8, 2026. Checked November 7, 2026.
- Award ceiling$48.0 million
- Award floor$1
- Total funding$100 million
- Expected awards15
- Cost sharingRequired
- Funding typeCooperative Agreement
Key dates
| Posted | October 31, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Deadline | January 23, 2026 |
| Archived by Grants.gov | February 22, 2026 |
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"
Is this a realistic fit?
- Past Fossil Energy Research and Development awards averaged $4.9 million; this notice allows up to $48.0 million per award.
- Most of the program's money (38% over five years) went to colleges and universities.
- The notice requires cost sharing or matching funds, so you must contribute part of the project cost.
What the grant funds
Improving Efficiency, Reliability, and Flexibility of Coal-Based Power Plants The purpose of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is to seek applications for projects to design, implement, test and validate three (3) compelling Topic Areas for strategic refurbishment/retrofit of existing coal power plants, providing a path for rapid and cost-effective restoration of stability to the nation’s bulk power system while supporting the nation’s industrial and energy security priorities by enabling coal powered systems to provide reliable, secure, and affordable electricity delivered in the near term at scale. Successful projects will lead to the implementation of transformational technologies that will significantly improve the efficiency, effectiveness, costs, emissions reductions, and environmental performance of coal and natural gas use. Modification 000004: The purpose of this modification is to update NOFO Part 2, specifically to add clarifications to Section II.A.3. regarding Cost Share Types and Allowability and Section II.A.4. Unallowable Cost Share Sources.
Who has won Fossil Energy Research and Development grants before
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, Fossil Energy Research and Development (81.089) awarded $3.2 billion across 648 grant awards, an average of $4.9 million per award.
| Recipient | State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado State University | Colorado | 7 | $334 million |
| Institute of Gas Technology | Illinois | 7 | $257 million |
| University of Illinois | Illinois | 26 | $146 million |
| Texas Commission on Environmental Quality | Texas | 1 | $134 million |
| University of North Dakota | North Dakota | 26 | $118 million |
Applying now
This notice no longer takes applications. Agencies often post the same opportunity again under a new number, so check the program's notices on Grants.gov and the similar open grants below.
The notice on Grants.gov keeps its full text and attachments, which is useful for planning a resubmission.
Questions people ask
Is DE-FOA-0003606 still open?
No. It closed on January 23, 2026.
Who can apply for Improving Efficiency, Reliability, and Flexibility of Coal-Based Power Plants?
National Energy Technology Laboratory accepted applications from any type of organization.
What is the deadline for Improving Efficiency, Reliability, and Flexibility of Coal-Based Power Plants?
Closed January 23, 2026. Applications are no longer accepted; the program's newer notices are on this page when there are any.
How much funding is available?
Awards of up to $48.0 million each. About $100 million in total across about 15 awards.
Who has won Fossil Energy Research and Development grants before?
The largest recipients over five fiscal years were Colorado State University, Institute of Gas Technology, University of Illinois. The program made 648 awards worth $3.2 billion in that time.
Similar open grants
- WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH ACT PROGRAM NATIONAL COMPETITIVE GRANTS FY2026 (104g General)
- DARRP Restoration Implementation Grants (2026)
- Easement Restoration and Stewardship
- Native American Affairs: Fiscal Year 2025 Colorado River Basin Tribal Drought Resiliency Program
- Affordable Rural Cooperative (ARC) Energy Program
- Advanced Nuclear Energy Licensing Cost-Share Grant Program