Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E)
Funding Opportunity Number(S): DE-FOA-0000206, 207, 208
Issue Date – December 7, 2009

DOE has announced a second round of funding opportunities with $100 million in Recovery Act funding to be made available for transformational energy research projects through Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E). National Laboratories may act as a lead, as long as they are part of a consortium.  Concept papers limited to 5-6 pages (depending on individual areas of focus) are due January 15, 2010. Awards may range from $500K - $10M (average award $1M - $5M) with a performance period of 24 - 36 months. Full proposals will be by invitation and will be due 31 days after notification.

Areas of focus included under this announcement:

1. Electrofuels.. (DE-FOA-0000206). ARPA-E is seeking new ways to make liquid transportation fuels - without using petroleum or biomass - by using microorganisms to harness chemical or electrical energy to convert carbon dioxide into liquid fuels.
2. Innovative Materials & Processes for Advanced Carbon Capture Technologies (IMPACCT.) (DE-FOA-0000208) The objective of this topic is to fund high risk, high reward research efforts that will revolutionize technologies that capture carbon dioxide from coal-fired power plants, thereby preventing release into the atmosphere. 
3. Batteries for Electrical Energy Storage in Transportation (BEEST). (DE-FOA-0000207). In this topic, ARPA-E seeks to develop a new generation of ultra-high energy density, low-cost battery technologies for long-range, plug-in, hybrid electric vehicles and electric vehicles (EVs).

Relevant Dates
Concept Paper Submission Deadline: January 15, 2010 at 5:00pm (EST) (2:00pm PST)
Full proposals will be by invitation and will be due 31 days after notification.

Relevant Links
Frequently Asked Questions: https://arpa-e-foa.energy.gov/FAQ.aspx
Key Documents: http://arpa-e.energy.gov/keydocs.html
Direct questions to: ARPA-E@hq.doe.gov
LBNL Strategic Development will provide information, links and updates at http://www.lbl.gov/dir/arpa-e

Concept Paper Web Based Submission
Advanced registration is required to submit electronically to ARPA-E eXCHANGE. We recommend that registration for ARPA-E eXCHANGE take place at the divisional level. Proposal applicants are asked to contact their business manager or proposal specialist as soon as possible for submission information.

Eligible Applicants
This includes, but is not limited to, for-profit entities, academic institutions, research foundations, not-for profit entities, collaborations, and consortia. A Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) may submit a proposal as a project lead entity; only if the FFRDC is the lead for a consortium, collaboration, or other teaming arrangement. The FFRDC may not submit a proposal as a stand-alone entity. A minimum of 90% of the work, as defined by total project costs, must be performed on U.S. soil, which includes the United States proper and its territories.
A team led by an FFRDC may include one or more other FFRDCs, but must ALSO include one or more of the following: an institution of higher education, company, research foundation, or trade or industry research collaboration. Such teams must provide the minimum 20% cost share, except for educational institutions (minimum 10%), required under this solicitation.

Concept Paper Web Based Submission – Divisional Registration
All Concept Paper submissions are to be made via the ARPA-E eXCHANGE at https://arpa-e-foa.energy.gov/.  In order to gain access to the ARPA-E eXCHANGE, the applicant must first register and create an account on the main ARPA-E eXCHANGE site. ARPA-E requests that each organization or business unit, whether acting as a team or a single entity, utilize one account. We recommend that registration for ARPA-E eXCHANGE at https://arpa-e-foa.energy.gov/Login.aspx take place at the divisional level. Proposal applicants are asked to contact their business manager or proposal specialist as soon as possible for submission information. A “User Guide” for the ARPA-E eXCHANGE can be found on the ARPA-E website. Any other questions that arise during the application process should be sent to ARPA-E@hq.doe.gov.
Point of Contact: Mr. John Harris
1000 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 22205; Phone:(202) 287-1055 
Direct questions to: ARPA-E@hq.doe.gov
Concept papers requirements: Applicants are required to submit a Concept Paper consisting of an abstract, technical section, and cost. Submission of Concept Papers begins on December 7, 2009, at 1:00PM (EST). The Concept Paper submission closing date and time is January 15, 2010, at 5:00PM (EST). Early submission is strongly encouraged. The directions for completing the concept paper submission are in the FOAs. Applicants will be notified by email by early-February 2010 whether they are Encouraged or Discouraged to submit a Full Application.
Full Application: An applicant may submit a Full Application any time before the closing date established in their Concept Paper written notification. The Full Application is due 31 calendar days after the date of the Concept Paper notification. ARPA-E will issue the structure, requirements, and submission information of the Full Application by an amendment to the FOA no later than the date of the Encourage/Discourage Concept Paper notification.
Anticipated Individual Awards: Awards will be for the Government’s share of the allowable project costs to be in the range of 500K - $10M. Multiple awards are anticipated, but not required.
Projects under this FOA will be funded, in whole or in part, with funds appropriated by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Read about ARRA funding in the FOA and speak to your business manager or proposal office about special terms and conditions that apply.
Types of Instruments that may be Awarded: Grant, Cooperative Agreement, or Technology Investment Agreement (TIA)
Cost Sharing Requirements: If a recipient is exclusively a university, college, or other educational institution (referred to as “educational institutions”), a cost share of at least 10% of the total allowable costs will be required. Cost share of at least 20% is required of all other applicants. For consortia or teams that include educational institutions: the 10% minimum applies to those educational institutions, and other members of the consortia/team must cost share at least 20% of their portion of the consortium's effort.
Teams with FFRDCs are responsible for the 20% cost share across all its members (10% cost share for educational institutions only).  How this cost share is covered is a matter for each individual team to negotiate among its members, historically this can be done many ways (for examples: a corporate partner, private equity or venture capital firms).
Period of Performance: Not to exceed 36 months