Funding Opportunity Announcement DE-FOA-0002784: Exploratory Topics | DE FOA 0002784

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - ARPA-E Exploratory Topics (DE-FOA-0002784)

1) What is FOA DE-FOA-0002784 "Exploratory Topics"?

DE-FOA-0002784 is an ARPA-E (Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy) funding opportunity designed to solicit unconventional, high-risk energy technology ideas. It is intentionally broad and open-ended in technical scope, with the goal of identifying concepts that could lead to genuinely disruptive outcomes rather than incremental progress.

2) What is ARPA-E and where does it sit within the federal government?

ARPA-E is part of the U.S. Department of Energy. Congress created ARPA-E to strengthen U.S. economic and energy security by accelerating advanced energy technologies.

3) What kinds of outcomes does ARPA-E aim to support through this FOA?

The FOA emphasizes projects that can contribute to major national energy goals, including reducing reliance on imported energy, cutting energy-related emissions (including greenhouse gases), improving energy efficiency across the economy, advancing transformative solutions for radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel management, and improving the resilience, reliability, and security of energy infrastructure for production, delivery, and storage.

4) Is this FOA meant for incremental improvements or breakthrough approaches?

This FOA is aimed at transformational applied research and development, not steady, predictable improvements along established technology learning curves. ARPA-E is specifically looking for ideas that could open up entirely new cost/performance trajectories over time.

5) How does ARPA-E define "transformational" or "disruptive" for this opportunity?

ARPA-E distinguishes between incremental advances and breakthroughs that could create new technology learning curves. "Disruptive" also has a market meaning here: if the technology works, it should have a credible path toward manufacturability, competitive cost, and eventual deployment at scale, even if those market outcomes cannot be fully proven during the award period.

6) Does ARPA-E expect some funded projects to fail?

Yes. ARPA-E acknowledges that many funded ideas may be risky and that some will fail. The goal is to find the subset of efforts that succeed and can shift cost, performance, or capability in a way that outcompetes incumbent technologies over time.

7) What types of projects can this FOA support?

The FOA can support two general types of efforts: (1) exploratory analysis or research that helps ARPA-E understand a new technical area well enough to shape future program directions, and (2) proof-of-concept research and development for a specific technology idea, either in an area ARPA-E is not currently funding or as a potential enhancement to its existing portfolio.

8) Is this FOA a general open solicitation where I can submit any idea at any time?

No. Applications are not accepted as free-form submissions at any time on any topic. This FOA only accepts applications that respond to specific, pre-announced "Exploratory Topics."

9) Where do I find the current open Exploratory Topics and their deadlines?

Exploratory Topics, their deadlines, and any topic-specific requirements are posted inside the ARPA-E eXCHANGE system as supporting FOA documents. They are only visible while they are open.

10) What happens when an Exploratory Topic closes?

When a topic closes, it is removed from view in ARPA-E eXCHANGE and ARPA-E stops accepting applications for that topic.

11) Will ARPA-E review an application that does not match an open Exploratory Topic?

No. ARPA-E states it will only review applications that are responsive to the topic(s) open at the time of submission. Topic alignment and timing are central to being eligible for review under this FOA.

12) How do I submit an application?

Submissions must be made through ARPA-E eXCHANGE, and applicants must register in that system. Materials submitted through other channels are not reviewed or considered.

13) Can I email a concept paper or submit materials outside ARPA-E eXCHANGE?

No. Concept papers or other materials sent through channels other than ARPA-E eXCHANGE are not reviewed or considered under this FOA.

14) Where can I get help with the ARPA-E eXCHANGE system?

For technical issues with eXCHANGE, ARPA-E provides an eXCHANGE help email: ExchangeHelp@hq.doe.gov. The FOA name and number should be included in the email subject line.

15) Where should I direct program or policy questions?

Applicants are directed first to ARPA-E's FAQ page. If the FAQ does not address the question, ARPA-E indicates that program or policy questions can be sent to ARPA-E-CO@hq.doe.gov.

16) What funding instruments might ARPA-E use under this FOA?

The FOA lists multiple possible award instruments, including cooperative agreements, grants, and "other." This reflects that ARPA-E may structure awards with varying degrees of federal involvement depending on project needs.

17) What is the activity category for this opportunity?

The listed activity category is science and technology research and development (with an additional label referencing Opportunity Zone benefits).

18) What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The CFDA number shown for this opportunity is 81.135.

19) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as "unrestricted," meaning any type of entity may apply in principle (including universities, companies, nonprofits, national laboratories, and others), subject to any additional eligibility clarifications contained in the FOA text or within a specific Exploratory Topic notice.

20) What is the maximum award amount listed for this FOA?

The opportunity information provided shows an award ceiling of $2,500,000.

21) How many awards will ARPA-E make under this FOA?

The opportunity information lists expected awards as 0, which typically indicates ARPA-E is not committing to a fixed number of selections under the umbrella FOA and will make decisions topic by topic based on quality, relevance, and available funds.

22) Are deadlines the same for every application under this FOA?

No. Deadlines are topic-specific. Each Exploratory Topic posted in ARPA-E eXCHANGE includes its own due date and any topic-specific submission requirements.

23) What is an example of a topic-specific deadline under this FOA?

The posting information includes an example: submissions to "Topic A" were due by 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time on November 15, 2022.

24) Does ARPA-E recommend submitting before the deadline?

Yes. ARPA-E strongly recommends submitting at least 48 hours early to reduce the risk of last-minute system or validation issues.

25) What is the practical best way to stay eligible to apply?

Monitor ARPA-E eXCHANGE for newly posted Exploratory Topics, confirm that your proposed work clearly matches an open topic, and plan to submit well ahead of the stated deadline.

26) What legal and regulatory framework governs this FOA?

This FOA operates under ARPA-E's authorizing statute (42 U.S.C. 16538) and follows federal grant rules under 2 CFR Part 200, as supplemented by 2 CFR Part 910.

27) Why does ARPA-E use an "Exploratory Topics" format instead of a single fixed program topic?

The FOA is meant to serve as an on-ramp for new or emerging areas that may not fit neatly into an existing ARPA-E focused program. It enables ARPA-E to post specific Exploratory Topics over time and accept applications only while those topics are open.

28) Does ARPA-E require that commercialization be proven during the project period?

No. The FOA emphasizes that while projects should have a credible path to manufacturability, competitive cost, and deployment at scale if successful, commercial disruption does not have to be proven during the award period.

29) What does ARPA-E mean by not following an established learning curve?

ARPA-E draws a line between incremental improvements along predictable learning curves and approaches that could create entirely new learning curves. Under this FOA, ARPA-E is looking for ideas that could establish a new cost/performance trajectory rather than simply improve an existing one.

30) What is the key submission risk to plan around?

The key risk is missing the window when a relevant Exploratory Topic is open and submitting too close to the deadline. ARPA-E only accepts submissions responsive to open topics at the time of submission, and it recommends submitting at least 48 hours early to avoid last-minute issues.