Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0003203
The Notice of Intent (NOI) DE-FOA-0003203 signals that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), through its Office of State and Community Energy Programs (SCEP), plans to release a competitive Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) DE-FOA-0003204 titled "Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL): Energy Auditor Training (EAT) Program." In practical terms, this is an early heads-up to potential applicants that DOE expects to open a grant competition focused on building the energy-auditing workforce. Because it is an NOI, not the final FOA, DOE is explicitly warning that details could change, the eventual FOA could look different than described, or the FOA might not be issued at all.
The core purpose of the upcoming FOA is to strengthen energy auditing capacity by covering the costs tied to training and certifying energy auditors. The intent is workforce-focused: paying for the training pathways and credentials that allow individuals to perform energy audits (also described as surveys) in both residential and commercial buildings. The underlying policy driver is the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, commonly called the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). Specifically, this activity is tied to Section 40503(a) of that law (codified at 42 U.S.C. 18793), which created the Energy Auditor Training program. The broader logic is that better-trained and more widely available auditors can help identify energy-saving opportunities, support building efficiency upgrades, and contribute to a more sustainable, clean energy future across the building sector.
DOE frames this as part of a larger, government-wide push to support sustainable and clean energy auditing efforts. The NOI highlights an expectation that results will come not only from funding training seats, but also from building stronger partnerships and collaborative initiatives. That includes collaboration across states, agencies, organizations, and DOE itself. In other words, DOE is telegraphing that successful approaches may involve coordinated networks such as state energy offices working with training providers, credentialing organizations, community colleges, unions, nonprofits, or other entities that can recruit trainees, deliver instruction, and move people efficiently into recognized certifications and real-world auditing roles.
From the opportunity data provided, the funding instrument is a grant and the opportunity category is discretionary, meaning awards are made competitively rather than by formula. The funding activity category is energy, and the associated CFDA/Assistance Listing number is 81.041. The eligible applicant type listed is state governments, so the primary intended applicants are state-level entities rather than individuals or private companies applying directly. Administration is associated with DOE's Golden Field Office. The posted award ceiling is $2,000,000, which suggests the maximum size of an individual award could be up to that amount, although the final FOA would normally clarify the expected award range, cost share requirements (if any), allowable costs, and how many awards DOE expects to make. The dataset also lists "ExpectedAwards: 0," which often appears in early notices or placeholder records and should not be read as a firm statement that no awards will be made; the final FOA typically provides the more reliable estimate.
Timing-wise, the record shows an original closing date of December 14, 2023, and a creation date of November 14, 2023. Because this is an NOI for a forthcoming FOA, those dates may relate to the notice posting and anticipated schedule at the time, but applicants should rely on the final FOA for authoritative submission deadlines and required registration steps. DOE encourages interested parties to monitor and access the full NOI on the Clean Energy Infrastructure Funding Opportunity Exchange website (https://infrastructure-exchange.energy.gov), which is where the final FOA and any amendments, FAQs, and submission instructions would typically be posted.
Overall, the NOI is best understood as DOE laying groundwork for a state-focused grant competition designed to expand and professionalize the energy auditor workforce by paying for training and certification costs, with the end goal of increasing the scale and quality of energy audits in homes and commercial buildings. The program sits squarely within BIL's workforce and infrastructure modernization goals and emphasizes collaboration across jurisdictions and organizations to make energy auditing more accessible, consistent, and impactful.Apply for DE FOA 0003203
- The Golden Field Office in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Notice of Intent (NOI) DE-FOA-0003203 To Issue Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) DE-FOA-0003204 "Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL): Energy Auditor Training (EAT) Program"" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.041.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2023-11-14.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-12-14. (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 $2,000,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: State governments.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is DE-FOA-0003203?
DE-FOA-0003203 is a Notice of Intent (NOI) from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) signaling that DOE plans to release a future competitive Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) related to energy auditor training.
Is this notice the actual funding opportunity I can apply to?
No. This is an NOI, not the final FOA. The NOI is an early heads-up that DOE expects to open a grant competition later, and it warns that details may change or the FOA may not be issued at all.
What is the anticipated FOA number and title?
DOE indicates it plans to release FOA DE-FOA-0003204 titled "Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL): Energy Auditor Training (EAT) Program."
What is the main purpose of the upcoming Energy Auditor Training (EAT) Program FOA?
The stated purpose is to strengthen energy auditing capacity by covering costs associated with training and certifying energy auditors, supporting workforce development for building energy audits (also described as surveys).
What types of buildings are in scope for the training focus described in the notice?
The notice describes energy auditing (surveys) in both residential and commercial buildings.
What kinds of costs is DOE indicating the program will support?
Based on the notice, the program is intended to cover costs tied to training pathways and credentials/certifications that enable individuals to perform energy audits.
Is the program primarily about workforce development or building upgrades?
The NOI frames the program as workforce-focused: funding training and certification to expand and professionalize the energy-auditing workforce. The downstream rationale is that more trained auditors can help identify energy-saving opportunities that support efficiency upgrades.
What law is driving this funding effort?
The opportunity is tied to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, commonly called the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).
What specific statutory reference does the notice cite?
The NOI references Section 40503(a) of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, codified at 42 U.S.C. 18793, which created the Energy Auditor Training program.
Who is the eligible applicant type according to the opportunity data provided?
The eligible applicant type listed is state governments, indicating state-level entities are the primary intended applicants (not individuals applying directly).
Can individuals apply directly for funding under this notice?
The information provided lists eligibility as state governments. The notice does not describe individuals as eligible applicants.
Can private companies or training providers apply directly?
The provided information lists state governments as the eligible applicant type. The notice suggests partnerships with training providers and other organizations may be part of successful approaches, but it does not state that private companies can apply as the primary applicant.
What type of funding instrument is indicated?
The funding instrument is listed as a grant.
Is this a competitive opportunity or a formula award?
The opportunity category is listed as discretionary, meaning awards are made competitively rather than by formula.
What is the funding activity category?
The funding activity category is energy.
What is the CFDA/Assistance Listing number associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA/Assistance Listing number provided is 81.041.
Which DOE office is associated with administration of this opportunity?
Administration is associated with DOE's Golden Field Office.
What is the maximum (ceiling) award amount shown in the opportunity data?
The posted award ceiling is $2,000,000, suggesting the maximum size of an individual award could be up to that amount. The final FOA typically clarifies expected award ranges and other financial details.
Does the notice say how many awards DOE expects to make?
The dataset shows "ExpectedAwards: 0," but the notice explains this often appears in early or placeholder records and should not be treated as a firm statement about the number of awards. The final FOA is expected to provide a more reliable estimate.
Does the NOI include cost share requirements or detailed allowable cost rules?
No. The NOI notes that key details such as expected award range, cost share (if any), allowable costs, and number of awards are typically clarified in the final FOA.
Why does DOE emphasize partnerships and collaboration?
The NOI indicates DOE expects results not only from paying for training seats, but also from stronger partnerships and collaborative initiatives across states, agencies, organizations, and DOE.
What types of partners are mentioned as potential collaborators?
The notice mentions examples such as state energy offices working with training providers, credentialing organizations, community colleges, unions, nonprofits, or other entities that can recruit trainees, deliver instruction, and move people into recognized certifications and auditing roles.
Where should interested parties look for the NOI and future FOA documents?
DOE directs interested parties to the Clean Energy Infrastructure Funding Opportunity Exchange website: https://infrastructure-exchange.energy.gov. This is where the final FOA, amendments, FAQs, and submission instructions would typically be posted.
What dates are shown in the record, and should applicants rely on them?
The record shows an original closing date of December 14, 2023, and a creation date of November 14, 2023. Because this is an NOI for a forthcoming FOA, the notice indicates applicants should rely on the final FOA for authoritative submission deadlines and required registration steps.
What is the key caution DOE provides about the NOI?
DOE explicitly warns that details could change, the eventual FOA could look different than described, or the FOA might not be issued at all.
What outcomes is DOE trying to achieve with this program?
The NOI connects the program to expanding the scale and quality of energy audits by increasing the availability of trained and certified auditors, helping identify energy-saving opportunities, supporting building efficiency upgrades, and contributing to a more sustainable, clean energy future across the building sector.
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| Request for Information: High-Efficiency Gasification for Clean Hydrogen Production Apply for DE FOA 0003259 Funding Number: DE FOA 0003259 Agency: National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Grid-Enhancing Data Analytics Demonstrations for Operations, Monitoring and Control Apply for DE FOA 0003127 Funding Number: DE FOA 0003127 Agency: National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: $7,000,000 |
| DE-FOA-0003233: Notice of Intent to Issue Funding Opportunity Announcement Number DE-FOA-0003209 Apply for DE FOA 0003233 Funding Number: DE FOA 0003233 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) FY23 BIL Electric Drive Vehicle Battery Recycling and Second Life Applications Apply for DE FOA 0003120 Funding Number: DE FOA 0003120 Agency: National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: $8,000,000 |
| Request for Information: Supercritical Carbon Dioxide-Based Turbomachinery for Concentrating Solar-Thermal Power Plants Apply for DE FOA 0003270 Funding Number: DE FOA 0003270 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Request for Information (RFI) - National Definition for a Zero Emissions Building: Part 1 Operating Emissions Apply for DE FOA 0003257 Funding Number: DE FOA 0003257 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NOTICE OF INTENT TO ISSUE FUNDING OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT NO. DE-FOA-0003298, CLEAN ENERGY TECHNOLOGY DEPLOYMENT ON TRIBAL LANDS - 2024 Apply for DE FOA 0003297 Funding Number: DE FOA 0003297 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Marine Energy University Foundational R&D Apply for DE FOA 0003097 Funding Number: DE FOA 0003097 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Small Innovative Projects in Solar: Concentrating Solar Power and Photovoltaics (SIPS: CSP & PV) – Annual Apply for DE FOA 0003308 Funding Number: DE FOA 0003308 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: $400,000 |
| Distribution Communication and Control Technologies Research, Development, and Demonstration Apply for DE FOA 0003198 Funding Number: DE FOA 0003198 Agency: National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: $2,400,000 |
| Request for Information Receivers and Reactors for Concentrating Solar-Thermal Power Plants and Solar Industrial Process Heat Apply for DE FOA 0003275 Funding Number: DE FOA 0003275 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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