Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0003425
The Aligning Manufacturability and Pre-production Design (AMPD) for Storage Technologies funding opportunity (DE-FOA-0003425) is a discretionary federal grant program run through the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). It is aimed at pushing energy storage technologies closer to real-world manufacturing by supporting practical, pre-production design improvements that make products easier, faster, cheaper, and more reliable to build at scale. The central idea is that many storage technologies show promise in the lab but run into trouble when companies try to transition to pilot production and full manufacturing. This program focuses specifically on solving those manufacturability and design-for-manufacture issues early, so that later scale-up can happen with fewer surprises and fewer costly redesigns.
The NOFO is looking for projects that use pre-production design innovations to improve manufacturability, meaning applicants should propose work that bridges the gap between a working technical concept and something that can be produced consistently in a manufacturing environment. In practice, that often includes activities like redesigning components for simpler assembly, improving tolerance management, reducing part count, selecting materials compatible with high-throughput production, designing for automated or semi-automated processes, standardizing interfaces, improving quality-control approaches, and addressing reliability, yield, and repeatability issues that tend to appear during early production runs. The program is intended to set the stage for manufacturing scale-up that ultimately supports the energy storage needs of U.S. consumers, which ties the work to broader national goals around energy resilience, grid modernization, and domestic manufacturing readiness.
Awards are expected to be made as cooperative agreements rather than standard grants. A cooperative agreement typically means the government expects to be more actively involved in the project compared with a traditional grant, such as through technical collaboration, more structured project management, or federal participation in milestones and decision points. Applicants should anticipate a more hands-on relationship with NETL during the period of performance, with progress tracked against defined deliverables and go/no-go style milestones that keep the work aligned with program goals.
The funding parameters indicate a maximum award size (award ceiling) of $2,000,000, and the agency expects to make about four awards under this solicitation. While the total program budget is not listed in the provided data, the ceiling and the number of anticipated awards give a rough sense of the competition size and the scale of projects NETL intends to support: substantial but still focused efforts targeted at pre-production design and manufacturability improvements rather than large-scale factory buildouts. The opportunity is categorized under the Energy activity category and is associated with CFDA number 81.122, which is commonly used to track U.S. Department of Energy financial assistance programs.
Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, which generally means a wide range of applicant types may apply, such as private companies (including startups), universities, nonprofits, state or local governments, and other organizations, provided they can meet federal requirements and the specific conditions of the NOFO. Even with unrestricted eligibility, strong applications typically demonstrate a credible path to manufacturing relevance, such as access to manufacturing expertise, partnerships with manufacturers or integrators, a realistic pre-production plan, and clear evidence that the proposed design changes will materially improve manufacturability and scale-up readiness.
Key dates included in the source data show the opportunity was created on January 16, 2025, and the original application closing date is March 17, 2025. Applicants planning to pursue this funding would need to work backward from that deadline to allow time for required registrations, compliance checks, teaming agreements, and development of a strong technical and management plan.
In short, AMPD is about making energy storage technologies more manufacturable before companies reach expensive pilot and commercial production stages. It funds targeted, engineering-driven pre-production design work that reduces manufacturing risk, improves producibility and consistency, and positions storage technologies for successful scale-up to meet U.S. market needs, with NETL playing an active role through the cooperative agreement structure.Apply for DE FOA 0003425
- The National Energy Technology Laboratory in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Aligning Manufacturability & Pre-production Design (AMPD) for Storage Technologies" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.122.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2025-01-16.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-03-17. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $2,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 4 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the AMPD for Storage Technologies funding opportunity?
The Aligning Manufacturability and Pre-production Design (AMPD) for Storage Technologies opportunity (DE-FOA-0003425) is a discretionary federal funding program administered through the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). It supports engineering and design work that helps energy storage technologies move from lab success toward real-world manufacturing by improving manufacturability and pre-production readiness.
What is the main goal of this program?
The main goal is to reduce the risk and cost of scaling energy storage technologies by addressing design-for-manufacture and manufacturability problems early. Many storage technologies perform well in the lab but run into issues during pilot production and early manufacturing. AMPD focuses on fixing those issues before expensive scale-up phases.
What types of projects is the NOFO looking for?
The NOFO is looking for projects that use pre-production design innovations to improve manufacturability. In practical terms, the proposed work should bridge the gap between a working technical concept and a design that can be produced consistently in a manufacturing environment.
What kinds of activities or improvements does AMPD support?
Examples of relevant activities described in the opportunity include pre-production design and manufacturability improvements such as:
- Redesigning components for simpler assembly
- Improving tolerance management
- Reducing part count
- Selecting materials compatible with high-throughput production
- Designing for automated or semi-automated manufacturing processes
- Standardizing interfaces
- Improving quality-control approaches
- Addressing early-production reliability, yield, and repeatability challenges
Is this program meant to fund large-scale factory buildouts?
No. Based on the description provided, AMPD is intended for substantial but focused efforts aimed at pre-production design and manufacturability improvements, rather than large-scale manufacturing facility construction or factory buildouts.
Why does the program focus on pre-production design?
The program is built around the idea that manufacturability issues often appear when a technology leaves the lab and enters pilot production. By improving design-for-manufacture earlier, later scale-up can proceed with fewer surprises and fewer costly redesigns.
How does this opportunity connect to broader national energy goals?
The opportunity is intended to set the stage for manufacturing scale-up that supports U.S. energy storage needs. The description ties this to national priorities such as energy resilience, grid modernization, and domestic manufacturing readiness.
What type of award will NETL use for selected projects?
Awards are expected to be made as cooperative agreements rather than standard grants.
What does a cooperative agreement mean for applicants?
A cooperative agreement generally means the federal government expects to be more actively involved than under a traditional grant. The opportunity indicates that recipients should expect a more hands-on relationship with NETL, potentially including technical collaboration, structured project management, and federal participation in milestones and decision points.
How will project progress be managed under this opportunity?
The program description indicates progress is expected to be tracked against defined deliverables and go/no-go style milestones intended to keep the work aligned with program goals.
What is the maximum award size?
The maximum award size (award ceiling) is $2,000,000.
How many awards does NETL expect to make?
NETL expects to make about four awards under this solicitation.
Is the total program budget provided?
No. The total program budget is not listed in the provided information. However, the award ceiling ($2,000,000) and the anticipated number of awards (about four) provide a rough sense of the scale of support and likely competitiveness.
What is the activity category for this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is categorized under the Energy activity category.
What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 81.122, which is used to track U.S. Department of Energy financial assistance programs.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, which generally suggests a broad range of applicant types may apply, including private companies (including startups), universities, nonprofits, and state or local governments, as long as they can meet federal requirements and the specific conditions of the NOFO.
Does unrestricted eligibility mean any applicant will be competitive?
Not necessarily. The description suggests strong applications typically show a credible path to manufacturing relevance, such as access to manufacturing expertise, partnerships with manufacturers or integrators, a realistic pre-production plan, and clear evidence that the design changes will materially improve manufacturability and scale-up readiness.
What is the application deadline?
The original application closing date listed is March 17, 2025.
When was the opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on January 16, 2025.
What should applicants do to prepare ahead of the deadline?
The opportunity description notes that applicants should plan backward from the closing date to allow time for registrations, compliance checks, teaming agreements, and development of a strong technical and management plan.
What is the program trying to prevent or reduce?
The program is designed to reduce manufacturing risk, improve producibility and consistency, and lower the likelihood of costly redesigns that often occur when moving from a lab-scale concept into pilot production and early manufacturing.
In one sentence, what is AMPD really about?
AMPD funds targeted, engineering-driven pre-production design work that makes energy storage technologies easier and more reliable to manufacture at scale, with active NETL involvement through a cooperative agreement.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Energy
Next opportunity: Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Matching Grant
Previous opportunity: 2025 Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation Grant
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for DE FOA 0003425
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (DE FOA 0003425) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| DE-FOA-0003520 Maximizing Algal System Yield (MASY) Apply for DE FOA 0003520 Funding Number: DE FOA 0003520 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: $3,500,000 |
| Draft National Landscape of High-Impact Crosscutting Opportunities for Next Generation Harsh Environment Materials and Manufacturing Process Research, Development, and Demonstration Request for Information Apply for DE FOA 0003507 Funding Number: DE FOA 0003507 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| The Circular Supply Chains Accelerator Apply for DE FOA 0003512 Funding Number: DE FOA 0003512 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: $12,500,000 |
| Energy Technology Deployment on Tribal Lands – 2025 Apply for DE FOA 0003547 Funding Number: DE FOA 0003547 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Request for Information (RFI) on Public Feedback on AMMTO Wide Bandgap Power Electronics Strategic Framework Apply for DE FOA 0003527 Funding Number: DE FOA 0003527 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| FY 2025 Energizing Insular Communities Program Apply for OIA EIC 2025 Funding Number: OIA EIC 2025 Agency: Department of the Interior Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Request for Information: Energy Critical Materials Assessment Apply for DE FOA 0003568 Funding Number: DE FOA 0003568 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Energy and Mineral Development Program 2025 Apply for BIA EMDP 2025 Funding Number: BIA EMDP 2025 Agency: Bureau of Indian Affairs Category: Energy Funding Amount: $2,500,000 |
| New FY 2025 Energizing Insular Communities Program Apply for OIA EIC 2025 1 Funding Number: OIA EIC 2025 1 Agency: Department of the Interior Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NOI to Issue Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) Funding Opportunity Announcement No. DE-FOA-0003587 titled “Rare Earth Elements Demonstration Facility”. Apply for DE FOA 0003586 Funding Number: DE FOA 0003586 Agency: National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NOI to Issue Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) Funding Opportunity Announcement DE-FOA-0003585 “Battery Materials Processing and Battery Manufacturing and Recycling Grant Program" Apply for DE FOA 0003584 Funding Number: DE FOA 0003584 Agency: National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Notice of Intent to issue Critical Minerals and Materials Accelerator Notice of Funding Opportunity Apply for DE FOA 0003588 Funding Number: DE FOA 0003588 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Restoring Reliability: Coal Recommissioning and Modernization Apply for DE FOA 0003605 Funding Number: DE FOA 0003605 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: $70,000,000 |
| Request for Information (RFI): Accelerating Speed to Power/Winning the Artificial Intelligence Race: Federal Action to Rapidly Expand Grid Capacity and Enable Electricity Demand Growth Apply for DE FOA 0003574 Funding Number: DE FOA 0003574 Agency: National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Improving Efficiency, Reliability, and Flexibility of Coal-Based Power Plants Apply for DE FOA 0003606 Funding Number: DE FOA 0003606 Agency: National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: $48,000,000 |
| Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA): Mine of the Future - Proving Ground Initiative Apply for DE FOA 0003390 Funding Number: DE FOA 0003390 Agency: National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: $40,000,000 |
| Fiscal Year 2026 Phase II Continuation Consolidated Innovative Nuclear Research Apply for DE FOA 0003539 Funding Number: DE FOA 0003539 Agency: Idaho Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: $1,200,000 |
| Fiscal Year 2026 Consolidated Innovative Nuclear Research Apply for DE FOA 0003538 Funding Number: DE FOA 0003538 Agency: Idaho Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: $3,100,000 |
| Fiscal Year 2026 Scientific Infrastructure Support for Consolidated Innovative Nuclear Research Apply for DE FOA 0003541 Funding Number: DE FOA 0003541 Agency: Idaho Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Fiscal Year 2026 Distinguished Early Career Program Apply for DE FOA 0003540 Funding Number: DE FOA 0003540 Agency: Idaho Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: $800,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "DE FOA 0003425", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.