March 9, 2020 | Lewis-Burke Associates LLC
View Full Report: DOE Outlook – March 9, 2020

In addition to the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science, DOE’s applied energy programs are also making major investments in new research initiatives. These research initiatives are focused on meeting DOE missions such as grid modernization, materials for harsh environments, and finding alternatives to critical materials for energy technologies. This analysis provides advance intelligence on future funding and research priorities for each major research initiative across the applied energy offices. The focus is on extramural, competitive funding opportunities and does not include funding through National Lab consortia and research university partnership opportunities through National Lab-only funding calls.

The DOE applied energy offices currently have seven major research initiatives. One—critical minerals—is a new initiative in fiscal year (FY) 2021, while the rest were launched in prior fiscal years. While Congress will ultimately decide final funding levels for these major initiatives through the FY 2021 appropriations process, which started in February 2020, DOE will prioritize funding for the following major initiatives: Grid Modernization, Energy Storage, Critical Minerals, Plastics Innovation, Water Security, Energy Sector Cybersecurity, and Harsh Environment Materials.