Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0002555
The FY 2022 SBIR/STTR Phase I Release 2 opportunity (DE-FOA-0002555) is a Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science funding announcement that supports early-stage research and development by small businesses under the SBIR/STTR programs. It is a discretionary, science and technology research grant opportunity (CFDA 81.049) intended to help companies test the scientific and technical feasibility of high-potential ideas that align with DOE mission needs and have a credible path toward commercialization.
Awards made under this announcement are Phase I grants issued during FY 2022, with maximum award sizes set at either $200,000 or $250,000 depending on the specific topic area. Applicants are expected to follow the topic-specific cap exactly; proposals that request more than the stated maximum for their topic will be declined without review, meaning the application will not advance to a merit evaluation. While the overall “award ceiling” listed is $200,000, the announcement makes clear that some topics allow up to $250,000, so the controlling limit is the cap listed in the topic you choose.
The Phase I period of performance is flexible based on the scope of the proposed work but cannot exceed 12 months. A key planning constraint is the Phase II timing: the Phase II application is due about 9.5 months after the Phase I start date, and this submission window is described as the only chance to apply for Phase II based on a Phase I award made under this funding opportunity. In practical terms, this makes schedule selection and milestone planning especially important. If a company chooses a Phase I performance period of 9 months or less, it can complete the full Phase I effort before the Phase II application is due, allowing the final Phase I results to inform the Phase II proposal. If a company selects a Phase I longer than 9 months, it may continue R&D work after submitting the Phase II application, but the additional results generated after submission cannot be used to strengthen or update the Phase II application, since they will not be available at the time of writing and submission.
Programmatically, Phase I is framed as a feasibility and merit demonstration stage. The DOE’s intent is for Phase I projects to focus on proving whether the underlying concept or approach works, with emphasis on scientific or technical merit, technical soundness, and evidence that the idea could lead to a commercially viable product or service and/or provide substantial benefit to DOE mission research. Applications are therefore expected to concentrate on the R&D needed to validate the core technical hypothesis, reduce key uncertainties, and establish that the proposed innovation is plausible within the Phase I scope, budget, and time limits. The announcement also makes the progression requirement explicit: successful completion of a DOE Phase I is a prerequisite for further DOE support through Phase II, which is where more extensive development and scaling typically occur.
From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity was created on December 13, 2021, and originally closed on February 15, 2022. DOE anticipated making a large number of awards (expected awards: 260), reflecting the broad SBIR/STTR pipeline nature of the program. Eligibility is listed as “unrestricted” in the summary field, but applicants should read the full announcement and any additional eligibility text carefully, since SBIR/STTR awards generally require that the applicant qualify as a small business and meet program-specific requirements regarding ownership, place of performance, and (for STTR) collaboration with a nonprofit research institution.
Overall, this FOA is designed for small businesses that have a strong technical idea with DOE relevance and commercial promise, need Phase I funding to demonstrate feasibility, and are prepared to manage the tight Phase II submission timeline by structuring Phase I work so that meaningful, defensible results are available before the Phase II application deadline.Apply for DE FOA 0002555
- The Department of Energy - Office of Science, Office of Science in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY 2022 SBIR/STTR Phase I Release 2" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.049.
- This funding opportunity was created on Dec 13, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 15, 2022. (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 $200,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 260 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
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FAQs: FY 2022 DOE SBIR/STTR Phase I Release 2 (DE-FOA-0002555)
What is the FY 2022 SBIR/STTR Phase I Release 2 opportunity (DE-FOA-0002555)?
It is a Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science funding announcement that supports early-stage research and development (R&D) by small businesses under the SBIR/STTR programs. It is intended to help companies test the scientific and technical feasibility of high-potential ideas that align with DOE mission needs and show a credible path toward commercialization.
Which agency and office are offering this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Science.
What type of funding is this?
This is a discretionary science and technology research grant opportunity under the SBIR/STTR programs.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 81.049.
What is the main purpose of Phase I funding under this FOA?
Phase I is framed as a feasibility and merit demonstration stage. The goal is to prove whether the underlying concept or approach works, emphasizing scientific/technical merit, technical soundness, and early evidence that the innovation could become commercially viable and/or provide substantial benefit to DOE mission research.
What kinds of projects are a good fit for Phase I under this announcement?
Projects that focus on validating a core technical hypothesis, reducing key uncertainties, and demonstrating that the proposed innovation is plausible within Phase I scope, budget, and time limits. The strongest fit is an idea with DOE relevance and commercial promise where Phase I results can credibly support a Phase II proposal.
How much funding can a Phase I award provide?
Maximum award size depends on the topic area: either $200,000 or $250,000. Applicants are expected to follow the topic-specific cap exactly.
The announcement mentions an award ceiling of $200,000. Can applicants ever request $250,000?
Yes. While the overall award ceiling is listed as $200,000, the announcement states that some topics allow up to $250,000. The controlling limit is the cap listed in the specific topic you choose.
What happens if an application requests more than the maximum amount allowed for its chosen topic?
Proposals requesting more than the stated maximum for the chosen topic will be declined without review, meaning the application will not advance to merit evaluation.
How long can the Phase I period of performance be?
The Phase I period of performance is flexible based on the project scope but cannot exceed 12 months.
How does the Phase II timeline affect Phase I planning?
The Phase II application is due about 9.5 months after the Phase I start date, and the announcement describes that submission window as the only chance to apply for Phase II based on a Phase I award made under this funding opportunity. That makes the Phase I schedule and milestones especially important.
Is the Phase II application deadline tied to the Phase I start date?
Yes. The Phase II application is due roughly 9.5 months after the Phase I start date.
Is there more than one chance to apply for Phase II after receiving a Phase I award under this FOA?
No. The FOA describes the Phase II submission window as the only chance to apply for Phase II based on a Phase I award made under this funding opportunity.
What is the advantage of choosing a Phase I performance period of 9 months or less?
If Phase I is 9 months or less, a company can complete the full Phase I effort before the Phase II application is due, allowing the final Phase I results to inform the Phase II proposal.
What happens if a company chooses a Phase I performance period longer than 9 months?
The company may continue R&D after submitting the Phase II application, but results generated after the Phase II submission cannot be used to strengthen or update the Phase II application because they will not be available at the time of writing and submission.
What does DOE expect Phase I work to focus on?
DOE expects Phase I to concentrate on feasibility: demonstrating whether the concept works, showing technical soundness, and producing defensible evidence that the innovation is plausible within the Phase I constraints (budget and time) and relevant to DOE mission needs, with a credible commercialization path.
Is Phase I completion required to be eligible for Phase II support?
Yes. The announcement states that successful completion of a DOE Phase I is a prerequisite for further DOE support through Phase II.
What is Phase II generally intended for, compared to Phase I?
Phase I focuses on feasibility and proof of concept, while Phase II is described as the stage where more extensive development and scaling typically occur.
When was this FOA created and when did it close?
The opportunity was created on December 13, 2021, and originally closed on February 15, 2022.
How many awards did DOE expect to make under this announcement?
DOE anticipated making a large number of awards, with expected awards listed as 260.
Who is eligible to apply, based on the summary information provided?
Eligibility is listed as "unrestricted" in the summary field, but the opportunity is an SBIR/STTR program announcement. The provided description notes that applicants should read the full announcement and any additional eligibility text carefully because SBIR/STTR awards generally require the applicant to qualify as a small business and meet program-specific requirements (such as ownership, place of performance, and, for STTR, collaboration with a nonprofit research institution).
Does "unrestricted" eligibility mean any organization can apply?
Not necessarily. Although the summary field lists "unrestricted," the description emphasizes that SBIR/STTR programs typically have specific eligibility requirements tied to small business status and other program rules. Applicants are advised to rely on the full FOA details for eligibility determination.
What should applicants pay the most attention to when budgeting?
The topic-specific maximum award amount. Applicants must not exceed the cap for their selected topic, because requesting more than the maximum leads to the proposal being declined without review.
What is the overall strategic takeaway for applicants from the Phase I and Phase II timing described?
Applicants should structure Phase I so meaningful, defensible results are available before the Phase II application deadline (about 9.5 months after Phase I starts). Choosing a Phase I period of 9 months or less can help ensure final Phase I results can directly support the Phase II proposal.
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