Executive Summary
DOE's Office of Electricity is funding about $237M in cost-shared cooperative agreements to refurbish grid equipment and qualify U.S.-made transformer materials and subcomponents. A concept paper is required and is due November 20, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET.
Only applicants who submit a concept paper can send a full application, due February 8, 2027 at 5:00 PM ET. Expect a 50% cost share and deployment-scale work.
Solicitation at a Glance
- Agency: U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Electricity (administered by NETL)
- Opportunity: Grid Supply Chain Alternatives to Lead Energy Dominance (Grid SCALED)
- Number: DE-FOA-0003641
- Award Vehicle: Cooperative agreements
- Funding: About $237,000,000 in FY2027 across two topic areas
- Technology Maturity: TRL 8+ for Topic Area 1; existing materials at TRL 6+ for Topic Area 2
- Due Dates: Concept paper November 20, 2026, 5:00 PM ET; full application February 8, 2027, 5:00 PM ET
Think your company qualifies? Talk with BW&CO before the November 20 concept paper deadline.
What Is Grid SCALED?
Grid SCALED is the first funding call under DOE's Grid Supply Chain Program. It funds two kinds of work: getting existing grid equipment back into service, and replacing imported materials and subcomponents with domestic alternatives.
What Problem Is DOE Trying to Solve?
Utilities face long lead times for transformers and other grid hardware, and parts of that supply chain depend on imported materials. DOE wants more equipment reused and more of its inputs made in the United States.
Priority Areas: What DOE Is Looking For
- Topic Area 1, Refurbishment and Reuse: About $50M, an estimated 3 to 20 awards of about $2.5M to $15M, up to 24 months
- Topic Area 2, Alternative Materials and Subcomponents: About $187M, an estimated 7 to 50 awards of about $1M to $25M, up to 48 months (Phase 1 up to 12 months, Phase 2 up to 36 months)
Funding and Award Terms
- Cost share: At least 50% of total project costs
- Buy America: Applies to the project
- Supplier letters: Topic Area 2 applications need Letters of Commitment from upstream suppliers; without them an application is rated Not of Interest
Eligibility
- Who can apply: Domestic institutions of higher education, for-profits, nonprofits, state and local governments and Indian Tribes
- Foreign entities: Generally not eligible as a recipient or subrecipient (a waiver is possible)
How to Apply
- Register: in DOE eXCHANGE (exchange.energy.gov) and the other required federal systems
- Submit a concept paper: by November 20, 2026, 5:00 PM ET
- Submit a full application: by February 8, 2027, 5:00 PM ET, if you submitted a concept paper
What Happens After You Submit?
- Concept paper review: DOE responds to concept papers ahead of the full application deadline
- Full application: Merit review, then selection and award negotiation
Is This Opportunity a Good Fit for Your Company?
Good fit if you make or refurbish transformers, core materials, bushings or other grid subcomponents, are near commercial scale and can fund half the project. Poor fit for early-stage research.
How BW&CO Can Help
BW&CO has helped deep-tech and dual-use founders secure more than $350M in non-dilutive funding. For DOE calls like Grid SCALED, we help you:
- Choose the right topic area and scope for your technology
- Write a concept paper that earns an encouragement to apply
- Build the 50% cost-share plan
- Line up the upstream supplier letters Topic Area 2 requires
- Carry the work through the full application and submission
Plan Your Grid SCALED Submission
Frequently Asked Questions
How much funding is available?
About $237M: about $50M for Topic Area 1 and about $187M for Topic Area 2.
How big are awards?
About $2.5M to $15M for Topic Area 1 and about $1M to $25M for Topic Area 2.
When is the concept paper due?
November 20, 2026, 5:00 PM ET.
Do I have to submit a concept paper?
Yes. Only concept paper submitters can submit a full application.
When is the full application due?
February 8, 2027, 5:00 PM ET.
Is there a cost share?
Yes, at least 50% of total project costs.
Can foreign companies apply?
Generally no, unless DOE grants a waiver.
What technology maturity is expected?
TRL 8 or higher for refurbishment; existing materials at TRL 6 or higher for Topic Area 2.
Can BW&CO help with a Grid SCALED submission?
Yes. We can run the concept paper and full application with your team. Book a call with our team.