BIL: Carbon Capture Demonstration Projects Program FRONT-END ENGINEERING DESIGN STUDIES FOR INTEGRATED CARBON CAPTURE, TRANSPORT and STORAGE SYSTEMS | DE FOA 0002738

Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0002738

The Department of Energy, through the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), released a discretionary funding opportunity (DE-FOA-0002738) under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Carbon Capture Demonstration Projects Program to support front-end engineering design (FEED) studies for integrated carbon capture, transport (when needed), and storage (CCS) systems. The core purpose is to move projects beyond early conceptual planning and into a detailed, engineering-based definition of scope, cost, and execution approach, so that viable CCS projects can be positioned for later stages of development and potential deployment.

This opportunity focuses on integrated CCS systems tied to major domestic emissions sources, specifically new or existing coal-fired electric generation facilities, natural gas electric generation facilities, and industrial facilities that are not primarily used for electric generation. The program is designed around the idea that carbon capture is not a standalone component; it must work as part of a full chain that includes capturing the carbon from a facility, moving the carbon dioxide or other carbon oxides to an endpoint if on-site storage is not available, and ensuring the carbon is securely stored in a geologic formation or handled through credible off-take arrangements. In practical terms, applications are expected to address not just the capture unit, but also the supporting infrastructure and commercial or technical pathways that allow the captured carbon to be transported (if required) and permanently stored.

Awards are expected to be made as cooperative agreements, meaning DOE anticipates substantial involvement during project performance rather than acting only as a pass-through funder. The award ceiling is listed at $12.5 million per project, and DOE anticipated making around 20 awards, signaling an intent to fund a sizable portfolio of FEED studies across multiple sectors and facility types. The eligible applicant pool is described as unrestricted (open to any type of entity), subject to any additional eligibility clarifications in the full FOA text, which typically means private companies, utilities, industrial operators, technology providers, engineering firms, universities, nonprofits, and state or local entities could potentially apply, either individually or as part of a project team.

Because the deliverable is a FEED study, applicants generally would be expected to produce the kinds of outputs that make a project “construction-ready” from an engineering and planning standpoint: detailed process design and integration plans for the capture system; engineering definition of interfaces with the host facility (steam, power, cooling, flue gas/processing streams, plot space, tie-ins, outage planning); designs and requirements for compression, dehydration, and metering; transport considerations where applicable (such as pipeline routing concepts, interconnects, right-of-way considerations, or alternatives such as trucking/rail where relevant); and a defined storage pathway, either by identifying and characterizing an appropriate storage formation or by documenting robust storage/off-take agreements. FEED studies also typically include project execution planning, risk and hazard considerations, permitting pathways, a detailed cost estimate with an appropriate class of accuracy for FEED-level work, and a schedule that supports a credible route to final investment decision and eventual buildout.

From a broader program perspective, the opportunity reflects DOE’s intent to accelerate real-world CCS deployment by reducing uncertainty early. By paying for rigorous FEED work, DOE helps developers and host facilities clarify technical performance expectations, capital and operating costs, integration risks, and logistical requirements for transport and storage. That de-risking step is especially important for CCS projects because success depends on the full system working together: capture must deliver a clean, compressed CO2 stream; transport must be feasible and permitted (if needed); and storage must be technically and commercially secured for long-term sequestration.

Key administrative details from the notice include: Funding Opportunity Title as listed above; Funding Opportunity Number DE-FOA-0002738; agency DOE/NETL; assistance listing (CFDA) 81.255; activity category Energy; instrument type Cooperative Agreement; original posting date September 22, 2022; original closing date December 5, 2022; maximum federal funding per award of $12,500,000; and an expectation of roughly 20 total awards.

• The Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "BIL: Carbon Capture Demonstration Projects Program FRONT-END ENGINEERING DESIGN STUDIES FOR INTEGRATED CARBON CAPTURE, TRANSPORT and STORAGE SYSTEMS" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.255.
• This funding opportunity was created on Sep 22, 2022.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Dec 05, 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 $12,500,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 20 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.

Apply for DE FOA 0002738

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