Please see the full solicitation for complete information about the funding opportunity. Below is a summary assembled by the Research & Innovation Office (RIO). Note the cost-share requirements in the Award Information section below.

Program Summary

While there has been significant support of digitization innovation, the manufacturing sector has been relatively slow to adopt digital technologies. This is problematic as digital transformation鈥攖hrough its improvements in cost, quality, productivity, time to market, e铿僣iency, safety, security, and sustainability鈥攈olds great promise to transform how we manufacture products and materials for our energy future.

Smart manufacturing refers to the suite of platform technologies that directly support the digital transformation of the manufacturing enterprise across the entire production lifecycle, which includes design, process, production, supply network, and enterprise levels. Platform technologies are manufacturing technologies that can be applied to manufacture multiple products. The digital transformation of manufacturing through smart manufacturing platform technologies would promote the development of cyberphysical systems (CPS) for manufacturing. A vision for CPS for manufacturing is the development of modular, interconnected systems that combine physical processes, computational resources, and networked communication to create a highly automated, e铿僣ient, and 铿俥xible manufacturing environment. In such systems, physical components (e.g., machinery, robots, sensors) would be interconnected with software and data networks, enabling real-time monitoring, control, and optimization of manufacturing processes. This would enable a host of signi铿乧ant capabilities including real-time data processing and feedback, advanced automation and control, enhanced 铿俥xibility and adaptability, and improved e铿僣iency and quality.

This FOA includes four topic areas, all involving aspects of smart manufacturing.

  • Topic 1: Smart Manufacturing for a Circular Economy
  • Topic 2: Smart Manufacturing of Tooling and Equipment for Sustainable Transportation
  • Topic 3: Smart Manufacturing for High Performance Materials
  • Topic 4: Smart Technologies for Sustainable and Competitive U.S. Mining

Applicants must describe their innovation鈥檚 connection to smart manufacturing. Technologies that have applications in more than one industry sector are encouraged. While the topics are written broadly to be inclusive of a variety of approaches, proposed efforts should be specific and clearly describe the technology being developed and validated.

Applicants must propose to perform a techno-economic analysis (TEA) and a lifecycle assessment (LCA) as part of their potential projects except where noted in the following Topics. These analyses must include a comparison of the current, commercially available state-of-the-art technology with the proposed approach, including comparisons of functionality. The comparison should include an initial TEA and an initial LCA that considers: 1) current, commercially available state-of-the-art technology; 2) relevant preliminary data that demonstrates the current developmental stage of the proposed solution (experimental, literature-based, or both); and 3) the proposed solution鈥檚 targets that will be achieved by end of project. The preliminary TEA and LCA must be included in the technical volume of the application, should be conducted using credible methodologies and assumptions and will need to be updated throughout the life of selected projects. Proposed technologies/approaches must demonstrate economic feasibility and a net decrease in overall lifecycle energy consumption.

See the solicitation for full details.

Deadlines

CU Internal Deadline: 11:59pm MST August 11, 2024

DOE Pre-Application Deadline: 3:00pm MST August 22, 2024

DOE Application Deadline: 3:00pm MST November 18, 2024

Internal Application Requirements (all in PDF format)

  • Topic Area (select one):
    • Topic 1: Smart Manufacturing for a Circular Economy
    • Topic 2: Smart Manufacturing of Tooling and Equipment for Sustainable Transportation
    • Topic 3: Smart Manufacturing for High Performance Materials
    • Topic 4: Smart Technologies for Sustainable and Competitive U.S. Mining
  • Project Narrative (4 pages maximum): Please include: 1) the specific topic area being addressed; the proposed technology, including its basic operating principles and how it is unique and innovative; 2) the proposed technology鈥檚 target level of performance (applicants should provide technical data or other support to show how the proposed target could be met); 3) the current state of the art in the relevant field and application, including key shortcomings, limitations, and challenges; 4) how the proposed technology will overcome the shortcomings, limitations, and challenges in the relevant field and application; 5) the potential impact that the proposed project would have on the relevant field and application; 6) how the proposed location of the proposed project will support technology development and long-term success; 7) the key technical risks/issues associated with the proposed technology development plan; 8) the impact that EERE funding would have on the proposed project; and 9) a community benefits plan addressing how the project advances to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA); contributes to Justice40 Initiative and other considerations linked with energy and/or environmental justice; and investments in quality jobs.
  • Project Team Addendum (2 pages maximum): Please describe: 1) whether the Principal Investigator (PI) and project team have the skill and expertise needed to successfully execute the project plan; 2) whether the applicant has prior experience which demonstrates an ability to perform tasks of similar risk and complexity; and 3) whether the applicant has adequate access to equipment and facilities necessary to accomplish the effort and/or clearly explain how it intends to obtain access to the necessary equipment and facilities.
  • Budget Overview (1 page maximum): A basic budget outlining project costs is sufficient; detailed OCG budgets are not required. Details should be included on the source(s) of cost-share.

To access the online application, visit:

Eligibility

Only new applications are invited under this FOA. No renewals. See the solicitation for full details.

Limited Submission Guidelines

An entity may submit only one Concept Paper and one Full Application for each topic area.

Award Information

Individual awards may vary between $0.35M and $3M.

Number of Awards: 16-36

Period of Performance: 2-3 years听

The cost-share must be at least 20% of the total allowable costs (i.e., the sum of the government share, including FFRDC costs if applicable, and the recipient share of allowable costs equals the total allowable cost of the project). For Topic Area 1, Area of Interest 3 ONLY: Cost sharing is not required for institutions of higher education. Reference the full solicitation for cost-share requirements.

Review Criteria

The internal committee will use DOE鈥檚 evaluation criteria (below) for the selection process.

  • The applicant clearly describes the proposed technology, how the technology is unique and innovative, and how the technology will advance the current state of the art;
  • The applicant has identified risks and challenges of the technology, regulatory and financial aspects of the proposal including possible mitigation strategies, and has shown the impact that EERE funding and the proposed project would have on the relevant field and application;
  • The applicant has the qualifications, experience, capabilities, and other resources necessary to complete the proposed project; and
  • The proposed work, if successfully accomplished, would clearly meet the objectives as stated in the FOA.