Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0003323
The Water Power Innovation Network funding opportunity (DE-FOA-0003323) is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO) solicitation aimed at strengthening the water power startup and commercialization pipeline across the United States. The core idea is to grow the number of successful water power businesses by funding the organizations that help entrepreneurs and small companies move from promising concepts to viable products and customers. WPTO frames this effort as part of its broader mission to advance marine energy technologies and next-generation hydropower and pumped storage solutions that can support a flexible, reliable electric grid.
DOE is making approximately $4.8 million available through this discretionary Funding Opportunity Announcement, with awards issued as cooperative agreements. The program anticipates making about eight awards, and the maximum award size (award ceiling) is $1,000,000. Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, which generally signals that a wide range of applicant types may apply, although the specific eligibility rules, cost share expectations (if any), and other requirements are defined in the full FOA posted on EERE Exchange. The administering DOE office is the Golden Field Office, and the associated assistance listing (CFDA) number is 81.087.
Programmatically, the FOA is built around the concept of funding new and/or expanded incubator or accelerator programs focused on water power. These programs are expected to provide structured commercialization support such as mentorship, market validation, business model development, investor readiness, customer discovery, pilot and demonstration planning, partnerships with test facilities or utilities, and other services that help reduce the time and risk required to bring water power innovations to market. WPTO is explicitly interested in initiatives that spur entrepreneurship and regional innovation, meaning applicants that can catalyze local ecosystems, connect innovators to resources, and help companies grow within communities and regions rather than operating in isolation.
The FOA highlights that funded incubators and accelerators are not only expected to support individual ventures, but also to collaborate with each other as part of a broader national network. The intended outcome is a stronger, more connected water power innovation network where programs can share best practices, coordinate support, and collectively accelerate commercialization for both marine energy and hydropower-related solutions. In other words, DOE is not just funding standalone business support programs; it is trying to create an interconnected set of organizations that, together, make it easier for water power technologies to progress from R&D into real deployments.
The primary focus area listed is Topic Area 1, "Water Power Incubation and Acceleration." Under this topic, DOE intends to fund programming and services that directly accelerate commercialization and adoption of water power systems and solutions, specifically supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses working in marine energy and/or hydropower. Applicants should expect that proposed activities need to be clearly tied to measurable commercialization outcomes, such as helping cohorts of companies reach technical and business milestones, improving access to partners and capital, and increasing the likelihood that innovations move toward demonstrations, procurement, or market entry.
Key logistics include an original application closing date of September 18, 2024, and a designated point of contact for questions: WPTOFOA@ee.doe.gov. The full announcement, including detailed application instructions and evaluation criteria, is available through the EERE Exchange website (https://eere-exchange.energy.gov), with additional guidance referenced in Section III, A of the FOA.Apply for DE FOA 0003323
- The Golden Field Office in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Water Power Innovation Network" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.087.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2024-06-26.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-09-18. (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 $1,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 8 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.
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