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Milestone-Based Fusion Development Program

ID: DE-FOA-0002809 • Type: Posted

Description

Fusion energy is a potentially safe, abundant, zero-carbon-emitting source of reliable primary energy. Major recent worldwide advances in the science[1],[2],[3] and technology[4] of fusion energy, the emergence of a strong and growing private fusion sector in the United States and abroad,[5] and the objective of achieving net-zero global carbon emissions by 2050[6] have made the acceleration of fusion energy research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) a national priority. Augmenting the present scientific mission of the Office of Science (SC) Fusion Energy Sciences (FES) program with supporting the development of a competitive fusion power industry in the U.S. was both authorized in the Energy Act of 2020 and consistent with the recommendations of recent community-informed expert studies and reports, such as the 2020 Fusion Energy Sciences Advisory Committee (FESAC) Long-Range Plan Powering the Future[7] and the 2021 National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) report Bringing Fusion to the U.S. Grid.[8] The latter helped motivate the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and DOE to co-host a summit on Developing a Bold Decadal Vision for Commercial Fusion Energy.[9] A common theme among these recent activities was the recognition that public-private partnerships (PPPs) present an opportunity to accelerate fusion energy RD&D. A DOE-sponsored Workshop on Fusion Energy Development via Public-Private Partnerships was held recently (June 1 3, 2022); workshop presentations are posted publicly on the FES website.[10]

This FOA invites applications for a new milestone-based fusion development program (as authorized in the Energy Act of 2020), which is a key component of the bold decadal vision to accelerate fusion energy RD&D in partnership with the private sector. Applications may be submitted for applied R&D to resolve scientific and technological issues toward the successful design of a fusion pilot plant (FPP).[11]

[1] https://www.llnl.gov/news/national-ignition-facility-experiment-puts-researchers-threshold-fusion-ignition.

[2] H. Abu-Shawareb et al., Lawson Criterion for Ignition Exceeded in an Inertial Fusion Experiment, Phys. Rev. Lett. 129, 075001 (2022); https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-00391-1.

[3] https://www.euro-fusion.org/news/2022/european-researchers-achieve-fusion-energy-record.

[4] https://news.mit.edu/2021/MIT-CFS-major-advance-toward-fusion-energy-0908; https://cfs.energy/news-and-media/cfs-commercial-fusion-power-with-hts-magnet.

[5] The Global Fusion Industry in 2022, Fusion Companies Survey by the Fusion Industry Association.

[6] https://www.iea.org/reports/net-zero-by-2050.

[7] https://science.osti.gov/-/media/fes/fesac/pdf/2020/202012/FESAC_Report_2020_Powering_the_Future.pdf

[8] https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/25991/bringing-fusion-to-the-us-grid

[9] https://www.whitehouse.gov/ostp/news-updates/2022/03/15/fact-sheet-developing-a-bold-vision-for-commercial-fusion-energy and https://www.whitehouse.gov/ostp/news-updates/2022/04/19/readout-of-the-white-house-summit-on-developing-a-bold-decadal-vision-for-commercial-fusion-energy

[10] https://science.osti.gov/fes/Community-Resources/Workshop-Reports

[11] An FPP should demonstrate a significant amount of net fusion electricity (e.g., >50 MWe) for >3 continuous hours (i.e., phase 1b of the NASEM report in footnote 8) with a timely path to one full power year (i.e., phase 2 of the NASEM report), at a total capital cost that can attract private funding.

Background
Fusion energy is a potentially safe, abundant, zero-carbon-emitting source of reliable primary energy. Major recent worldwide advances in the science and technology of fusion energy, the emergence of a strong and growing private fusion sector in the United States and abroad, and the objective of achieving 'net-zero' global carbon emissions by 2050 have made the acceleration of fusion energy research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) a national priority.

Augmenting the present scientific mission of the Office of Science (SC) Fusion Energy Sciences (FES) program with supporting 'the development of a competitive fusion power industry in the U.S.' was both authorized in the Energy Act of 2020 and consistent with the recommendations of recent community-informed expert studies and reports.

Grant Details
This FOA invites applications for a new milestone-based fusion development program (as authorized in the Energy Act of 2020), which is a key component of the bold decadal vision to accelerate fusion energy RD&D in partnership with the private sector.

Applications may be submitted for applied R&D to resolve scientific and technological issues toward the successful design of a fusion pilot plant (FPP). It is expected that all applications will be led by the private sector with key partners that could include DOE national laboratories, academic institutions, non-profits, and other organizations/entities.

Applicant teams should have a demonstrable range of technical and non-technical expertise needed for fusion energy R&D and eventual demonstration and commercialization. Non-Federal financial commitments will be required for all applications.

Eligibility Requirements
It is expected that all applications will be led by the private sector with key partners that could include DOE national laboratories, academic institutions, non-profits, and other organizations/entities.

Applicant teams should have a demonstrable range of technical and non-technical expertise needed for fusion energy R&D and eventual demonstration and commercialization. Non-Federal financial commitments will be required for all applications.

Period of Performance
The initial project deliverables, by 18 months after award, are FPP preconceptual designs and technology roadmaps, with the understanding that funding for subsequent milestones up to a total period of performance of five years will be contingent upon meeting early milestones and the availability of appropriated funding to continue this program in Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 and beyond.

Grant Value
Not specified
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Overview

Agency
Office of Science (OS) [DOE]
Category of Funding
Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Funding Instruments
Other
Grant Program (CFDA)
81.049 - Office of Science Financial Assistance Program
Grant Category
Discretionary
Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement
True
Source
Grants.gov
On 9/22/22 the Office of Science posted grant opportunity DE-FOA-0002809 for Milestone-Based Fusion Development Program with funding of $50.0 million. The grant will be issued under grant program 81.049 Office of Science Financial Assistance Program. It is expected that 4 total grants will be made worth between $5.0 million and $25.0 million.

Timing

Posted Date
Sept. 22, 2022, 12:00 a.m. EDT
Closing Date
Dec. 15, 2022, 12:00 a.m. EST Past Due
Last Updated
Dec. 6, 2022, 10:29 a.m. EST
Version
2
Archive Date
March 22, 2023

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants
Small businesses
For profit organizations other than small businesses

Award Sizing

Ceiling
$25,000,000
Floor
$5,000,000
Estimated Program Funding
$50,000,000
Estimated Number of Grants
4

Contacts

Contact
Michael S Zarkin Grants Management Specialist
Contact Email
john.mandrekas@science.doe.gov   Profile
Email Description
Program Manager
Contact Phone
(301) 903-4946
Additional Information
Program Website
Additional Information Site
https://science.osti.gov/FES

Documents

Posted documents for DE-FOA-0002809

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