Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0003634
The National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) is offering a discretionary funding opportunity called "Advancing Oil and Natural Gas Production and Delivery" (Funding Opportunity Number DE-FOA-0003634) to support research and development that strengthens the United States oil and natural gas supply chain. The focus is on developing cost-effective technologies that measurably improve how efficiently the system operates, how reliably it performs under normal conditions, and how resilient it is when facing disruptions. In practical terms, the opportunity is aimed at innovations that help the sector get more value from existing resources, update and improve aging or constrained infrastructure, and speed up the adoption of modern digital tools that can raise performance across production and delivery.
This NOFO is built around a broad R&D scope that spans the upstream through midstream parts of the supply chain, with emphasis on three major themes. First, "enhancing resource utilization" points to technologies and methods that increase recovery, reduce waste, and improve operational efficiency so that producers can extract, process, and manage hydrocarbons more effectively. Second, "modernizing infrastructure" centers on improvements to physical assets and systems that support production and delivery, such as upgrades that reduce bottlenecks, improve integrity and monitoring, lower downtime, and strengthen operational continuity. Third, "accelerating digital transformation" targets the use of advanced sensors, monitoring platforms, data analytics, automation, and other digital approaches that enable better decision-making, predictive maintenance, safer operations, and more adaptive system management.
Awards will be made through cooperative agreements, which typically means NETL expects substantial involvement during the life of the project, often including technical collaboration, milestones, and active project oversight compared with more hands-off grant structures. The program is listed under CFDA 81.089 and categorized under Energy and Science and Technology research and development. Eligibility is stated as "unrestricted," but applicants are directed to review Section II of the NOFO (Part 1) for the full eligibility requirements and any conditions or limitations that may apply in practice.
The maximum award amount (award ceiling) is $28,000,000, and the agency expects to make approximately 16 awards. The opportunity was created on 2026-07-23, and the original application closing date is 2026-09-22. Overall, this funding opportunity is designed to push forward practical, scalable technology pathways that can improve performance and robustness across the oil and natural gas production and delivery ecosystem, with a clear emphasis on cost-effectiveness and real-world impact.Apply for DE FOA 0003634
- The National Energy Technology Laboratory in the energy, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Advancing Oil and Natural Gas Production and Delivery" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.089.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-07-23.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-09-22. (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 $28,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 16 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this funding opportunity?
The funding opportunity is titled Advancing Oil and Natural Gas Production and Delivery.
Who is offering this opportunity?
The opportunity is offered by the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL).
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is DE-FOA-0003634.
What is the purpose of this discretionary funding opportunity?
This discretionary funding opportunity supports research and development (R&D) intended to strengthen the United States oil and natural gas supply chain. The emphasis is on developing cost-effective technologies that deliver measurable improvements in:
- Efficiency (how efficiently the system operates)
- Reliability (how reliably it performs under normal conditions)
- Resilience (how well it withstands and recovers from disruptions)
What parts of the oil and natural gas supply chain does the NOFO cover?
The R&D scope spans the upstream through midstream segments of the oil and natural gas supply chain.
What are the main technical themes or focus areas?
The NOFO emphasizes three major themes:
- Enhancing resource utilization
- Modernizing infrastructure
- Accelerating digital transformation
What does "enhancing resource utilization" mean in this NOFO?
Enhancing resource utilization refers to technologies and methods that help increase recovery, reduce waste, and improve operational efficiency so producers can extract, process, and manage hydrocarbons more effectively.
What does "modernizing infrastructure" mean in this NOFO?
Modernizing infrastructure focuses on improvements to physical assets and systems supporting production and delivery. This can include upgrades intended to reduce bottlenecks, improve integrity and monitoring, lower downtime, and strengthen operational continuity.
What does "accelerating digital transformation" mean in this NOFO?
Accelerating digital transformation targets the use of modern digital approaches such as advanced sensors, monitoring platforms, data analytics, and automation. These approaches are intended to enable better decision-making, predictive maintenance, safer operations, and more adaptive system management.
What type of award instrument will NETL use?
Awards will be made through cooperative agreements.
What does it mean that awards are cooperative agreements?
Cooperative agreements typically indicate that NETL expects substantial involvement during the project period. This may include technical collaboration, defined milestones, and active project oversight compared with more hands-off grant structures.
What is the CFDA number for this program?
The program is listed under CFDA 81.089.
How is this opportunity categorized?
It is categorized under Energy and Science and Technology research and development.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is stated as unrestricted. Applicants are directed to review Section II of the NOFO (Part 1) for full eligibility requirements and any conditions or limitations that may apply.
Where should applicants look for the full eligibility details and any restrictions?
Applicants should consult Section II of the NOFO (Part 1) for the complete eligibility requirements and any practical conditions or limitations.
What is the maximum award amount?
The maximum award amount (award ceiling) is $28,000,000.
How many awards does NETL expect to make?
NETL expects to make approximately 16 awards.
When was this funding opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on 2026-07-23.
What is the application closing date?
The original application closing date is 2026-09-22.
What kinds of outcomes is NETL looking for?
The opportunity is designed to advance practical, scalable technology pathways that improve performance and robustness across the oil and natural gas production and delivery ecosystem, with a clear emphasis on cost-effectiveness and real-world impact.
Does the NOFO emphasize working with existing resources and infrastructure?
Yes. The opportunity is aimed at innovations that help the sector get more value from existing resources, update and improve aging or constrained infrastructure, and speed adoption of modern digital tools that raise performance across production and delivery.
Is the focus more on research, deployment, or both?
Based on the description provided, the focus is on research and development (R&D), particularly efforts that can deliver measurable, practical improvements and scalable technology pathways.
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