Carbon Capture Demonstration Projects Program | DE FOA 0003473

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is this funding opportunity?

This is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for integrated carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) demonstration projects. It is being run through DOE's Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED), working alongside the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) and the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL).

2) What is the main goal of the NOFO?

The NOFO is intended to demonstrate meaningful real-world improvements in carbon capture performance by improving efficiency, reducing cost, increasing overall effectiveness, and strengthening environmental outcomes. A central emphasis is market-building: DOE is aiming to prove projects at scales and in conditions that can attract follow-on private investment and broader deployment, rather than supporting isolated one-off demonstrations.

3) What kinds of facilities or emission sources does the program target?

The program is aimed at power generation, industrial facilities, and other commercial sources of emissions where capturing CO2 could materially reduce the carbon footprint of energy and products that are expected to remain in demand for decades.

4) What does DOE mean by "integrated" CCUS projects?

Based on the description, "integrated" refers to demonstrating capture systems and end-to-end CCUS value chains, not just a single component. The intent is to show credible, repeatable systems that can be financed, insured, and accepted by host communities, including integrated transport and permanent geologic storage where relevant.

5) How much funding is available under this NOFO?

The NOFO makes up to $1.3 billion available for roughly 10 projects.

6) What is the maximum award size per project?

The award ceiling listed is $400 million for an individual award.

7) What are the cost share requirements?

Federal cost share requirements vary by topic area and by project phase. The maximum federal cost share ranges from 50% to 80%, meaning applicants should expect to provide substantial non-federal matching funds and be ready to document financing, partners, and committed resources.

8) Where does the funding come from?

The funding comes from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law). The broader context described includes up to $2.537 billion directed for domestic CCUS demonstration and commercial-scale projects, plus a separate $937 million appropriation (FY 2022 through FY 2025) focused on large-scale pilot projects for newer capture technologies.

9) How is this NOFO organized?

The NOFO is organized into three topic areas that track technology readiness and project scope:

• Topic Area 1: Established carbon capture technologies at high readiness (generally TRL greater than 7), aimed at commercial-scale demonstration of technical and commercial viability, including new or expanded applications where the core technology is not yet widely proven.
• Topic Area 2: First-of-a-kind, transformational capture approaches at mid readiness (TRL 5 to 6), funding large pilot-scale demonstrations to validate performance, derisk scale-up, and set up later commercial deployment.
• Topic Area 3: Region-specific carbon management networks linking multiple emitters to shared transport and storage solutions, intended to reduce offtake uncertainty, improve access to storage, and make participation easier for facilities that would otherwise need to develop all infrastructure independently.

10) What Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) are associated with Topic Area 1?

Topic Area 1 is described as targeting established carbon capture technologies at high readiness levels, generally TRL greater than 7.

11) What TRLs are associated with Topic Area 2?

Topic Area 2 is described as focusing on transformational capture approaches at TRL 5 to 6.

12) What is the focus of Topic Area 3?

Topic Area 3 focuses on region-specific carbon management networks that connect multiple emitters to shared CO2 transport and geologic storage solutions. The stated aims include reducing offtake uncertainty and improving access to storage, so more facilities can participate without each one solving the entire infrastructure buildout alone.

13) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes:

• State, county, and local governments
• Special districts
• Public and private institutions of higher education
• Federally recognized tribal governments
• Nonprofits (501(c)(3) and other nonprofit structures)
• For-profit organizations (including those other than small businesses)
• Small businesses

14) What type of award instrument will DOE use?

The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement. The description notes that this typically involves substantial federal involvement during execution, negotiated milestones, reporting, and DOE engagement in key decisions as projects advance through phases.

15) What does "market-building" mean in this NOFO?

In this context, market-building means DOE is trying to catalyze repeatable projects and end-to-end CCUS value chains that can attract private financing and be deployed more broadly. The program emphasizes credibility with financiers, insurers, and host communities by demonstrating at relevant scales and operating conditions.

16) Approximately how many projects does DOE expect to fund?

The NOFO states up to $1.3 billion for roughly 10 projects, implying DOE expects to select around 10 awards (subject to merit and available funds).

17) When is the application due?

The original closing date listed is July 1, 2025.

18) Where do applicants find the application materials and instructions?

Application materials, required forms, and instructions are hosted on the OCED eXCHANGE portal. Applicants are instructed to locate the relevant notice by its number on that portal.

19) What is the opportunity number?

The supplied listing references opportunity number DE-FOA-0003473, while the portal instruction points to DE-FOA-0003474.

20) What should applicants do about the discrepancy in the opportunity number?

Applicants should verify the correct active listing on the OCED eXCHANGE portal to ensure they are using the exact documents and requirements tied to the submission they intend to make, since the information provided references two different DE-FOA numbers.

21) Which DOE offices and labs are involved?

The opportunity is described as being funded through OCED, working alongside FECM and NETL.

22) Does the NOFO emphasize permanent storage?

Yes. The description connects the program to a federal strategy to accelerate deployment and commercialization of technologies that can capture CO2 and permanently store it in geologic formations.

23) Are applicants expected to show committed non-federal resources?

Yes. Because federal cost share is capped (50% to 80% depending on topic and phase), applicants should be prepared to bring substantial non-federal match and to document financing, partners, and committed resources.

24) Is the program limited to a single facility, or can it support multi-emitter approaches?

It can support both. Topic Area 3 explicitly supports region-specific networks that connect multiple emitters to shared transport and storage solutions.