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July 25, 2024

Wind Energy Technologies Office

Funding Notice: Nearly $50 Million Available for Offshore Wind Research and Development

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Wind Energy Technologies Office (WETO) announced the Offshore Wind National and Regional Research and Development funding opportunity, which will award $48.6 million for projects that address several major areas of need for offshore wind. The areas include accelerating research and development of floating offshore wind platforms; exploring innovations for fixed-bottom foundations; improving offshore wildlife protection through new monitoring technologies; expanding the reach of the domestic supply chain; advancing U.S. academic leadership in floating offshore wind; and investigating solutions to protect future infrastructure from lightning.

This funding opportunity represents one of DOE’s single largest investments in offshore wind, comprised of $48 million in funding from WETO with $600,000 in funding support from the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement.

Together, successful projects addressing the following topic areas under this funding opportunity announcement (FOA) will speed up the use of wind power off U.S. coasts and contribute to a robust U.S. clean energy economy driven by a carbon-free power sector.

Topic Area 1: Floating Offshore Wind Platform Research and Development​

Topic Area 2: Innovation for Fixed-Bottom Offshore Wind Foundation Types and Supporting Infrastructure

Topic Area 3: Technology Advancement to Inform Risk to Birds and Bats from Offshore Wind Energy

Topic Area 4: Development of a Manufacturing and Supply Chain Offshore Wind Consortium Based in the Great Lakes Region

Topic Area 5: Floating Offshore Wind Center of Excellence

Topic Area 6: Protecting Future Offshore Wind Farms Against Lightning

DOE and agency partners anticipate making up to 21 awards under this FOA. Individual awards may vary between $200,000 and $5 million.

Applicants must submit a Concept Paper by 5:00 p.m. ET on September 3, 2024 to be eligible to submit a Full Application.

Learn more about other open funding opportunities within DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.