The Department of Energy’s SPARKS Program (Spurring Projects to Advance energy Research and Knowledge Swiftly) is unique in that it provides an open topic, open deadline, open eligibility opportunity to pitch new technologies in energy and decarbonization research to be pitched directly to ARPA-E program managers. DOE’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) funds transformational solutions to current problems related to energy generation, storage, use, and associated environmental impacts. ARPA-E funds high-risk, high-reward projects with substantial potential to transform current energy infrastructure.
The SPARKS program currently has no deadline for grant submission and is open continuously until further modification. However, a concept paper is required and you must be invited to submit a full proposal. Like other grant awards, the money provides non-dilutive capital for research and development and the DOE takes no equity interest. SPARKS awards are flexible and may encompass exploratory research projects, proof-of-concept studies, or analyses. Technologies should be in an area not currently supported by DOE or serve to enhance an ongoing focused technology program. ARPA-E funds research and development into energy generation, energy storage, transportation, building efficiency, and decarbonization of a vast array of industries including energy generation, transportation, buildings, industry, fuels and chemicals, food and beverage, agriculture, and more.
If you are interested in seeing if your technology idea is suitable for the SPARKS program, you are encouraged to view current and past ARPA-E focused technology programs and identify a relevant program director to discuss your technology. If your technology is suitable for funding, the SPARKS program requires submission of a Concept Paper for review. You must be invited to submit a full proposal to the program. Grant awards are up to $500k for project periods of up to 18 months. No cost-share is required for educational institutions, non-profits, or small businesses; large businesses are required to provide 20% of project activities as cost-share.
SciNcite can help you navigate each step of the grant-writing process from initial discussion with program directors to submission of the full proposal and subsequent post-award reporting.