Flexible and Innovative Transformer Technologies (FITT) | DE FOA 0003071

Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0003071

Flexible and Innovative Transformer Technologies (FITT) is a U.S. Department of Energy funding opportunity (FOA DE-FOA-0003071) aimed at speeding up the development and real-world validation of next-generation electric transformers. The core goal is to push beyond conventional transformer designs by supporting innovative concepts, prototype builds, and field demonstration activities for advanced distribution and/or power transformers. The FOA is specifically interested in technologies that make transformers more adaptable and easier to deploy across many grid settings, from distribution networks up through transmission-scale applications. Examples called out include flexible, modular, scalable, hybrid, and solid-state transformer approaches, all of which are intended to improve how the grid handles changing load profiles, new generation sources, and modernization pressures.

The funding is offered as a cooperative agreement, which generally means DOE expects substantial involvement during the project period rather than a hands-off grant. In practical terms, awardees should anticipate technical coordination, reviews, and milestone-based management with the government across the life of the project. The program emphasizes not only designing and building advanced transformer solutions, but also demonstrating them in the field, reflecting DOE interest in technologies that can move from lab concepts to operational utility environments. An amendment (Amendment 000001) updated several administrative and programmatic details, including changing the submission deadline and expected award date, clarifying the minimum scope required for field demonstrations, updating estimated total funding and the expected number and size of awards, and revising the anticipated period of performance. Applicants therefore need to rely on the amended FOA language for the latest requirements and schedule.

Eligibility is centered on domestic participation. The prime recipient and any subrecipients are generally required to be domestic entities, meaning the organization must be formed under U.S. state or territorial law, have majority domestic ownership and control, and maintain a physical place of business in the United States. Eligible domestic applicants include institutions of higher education, for-profit companies, non-profit organizations, and state or local government entities, including Indian tribes/nations. Certain types of organizations have special rules: DOE/NNSA federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs) may participate only as subrecipients and cannot serve as the prime recipient. Non-DOE/NNSA FFRDCs follow the same pattern, eligible as subrecipients but not as prime recipients. Other federal agencies and instrumentalities (outside DOE) may also participate as subrecipients but are not eligible to apply as the prime.

NETL is treated differently because it is the issuing agency: NETL is not eligible for an award under this announcement and cannot be included as a subrecipient on another organization’s application. If an application proposes NETL as either a prime recipient or a subrecipient, DOE will deem the submission non-responsive, which effectively disqualifies it from consideration. Standard federal responsibility restrictions also apply. Entities that are debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded from federal programs are ineligible, and certain 501(c)(4) nonprofit organizations that engaged in lobbying activities after December 31, 1995 are not eligible to apply.

While the FOA is designed around domestic applicants, it does allow limited foreign participation through a waiver process. A foreign entity may be permitted to serve as a prime recipient or subrecipient only if DOE approves an explicit waiver. The FOA allows a foreign entity to submit a full application, but that application must include a written waiver request. Similarly, if a domestic applicant wants to include a foreign subrecipient, the full application must include a separate explicit waiver request for each foreign subrecipient proposed. This structure signals that foreign involvement is possible but exception-based, and applicants should be prepared to justify why the foreign participation is necessary and how it supports DOE objectives while still meeting program requirements.

From the provided source data, the opportunity falls under the Energy funding activity category (CFDA 81.122) and is listed as discretionary funding with an “unrestricted” eligible applicant label, though the detailed eligibility rules still impose the domestic-entity requirement and other limitations described above. The original closing date shown is April 26, 2024, but the amendment states the submission deadline was changed, so the amended FOA controls the actual due date. The listed award ceiling is $7,000,000, and the opportunity anticipated around nine awards, though the amendment also notes that expected funding levels, award counts, and award size ranges were updated. Overall, FITT is structured to move promising transformer innovations toward deployable, utility-relevant solutions by funding the full path from advanced design through prototyping and into field demonstration.

• The National Energy Technology Laboratory in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Flexible and Innovative Transformer Technologies (FITT)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.122.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-02-13.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-04-26. (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 $7,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 9 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.

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