Advancing Oil and Natural Gas Production and Delivery

The Advancing Oil and Natural Gas Production and Delivery funding opportunity is administered by the U.S. Department of Energy through the National Energy Technology Laboratory. The National Energy Technology Laboratory is a federal research organization focused on advancing technologies that support energy production, environmental sustainability, and economic competitiveness. This opportunity is part of the broader Fossil Energy Research and Development program and reflects the federal government’s continued investment in improving the efficiency and resilience of domestic energy systems. The initiative is structured as a cooperative agreement, indicating that the agency will have substantial involvement in the execution of funded projects. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support research and development activities that enhance the performance of the United States oil and natural gas supply chain. The program emphasizes cost-effective technologies that improve efficiency, reliability, and resilience across production and delivery systems. Specific focus areas include optimizing resource utilization, modernizing aging infrastructure, and accelerating digital transformation within the sector. These goals align with national priorities to ensure energy security while maintaining operational efficiency in fossil energy systems. Funding under this opportunity is intended to support a wide range of technical activities, including applied research, technology development, and system integration. Projects may address challenges in upstream production, midstream transportation, and associated infrastructure systems. Allowable uses of funds include research personnel, equipment, data systems, and pilot or demonstration activities that directly contribute to the stated objectives. The program does not require cost sharing or matching funds, which lowers barriers to participation and broadens accessibility to diverse applicant types. Eligibility for this funding opportunity is described as unrestricted, meaning that a wide range of entities may apply, subject to further clarifications in the full Notice of Funding Opportunity. This typically includes academic institutions, private sector companies, nonprofit organizations, and government entities. Applicants are expected to review the detailed eligibility criteria outlined in Section II of the full announcement to confirm compliance. The open eligibility structure supports collaboration across sectors and encourages innovative approaches from a diverse applicant pool. The application process requires submission through federal grant systems, typically involving registration with Grants.gov and completion of required forms and technical narratives. Applicants must prepare detailed proposals outlining project objectives, methodologies, expected outcomes, and budgets. Evaluation criteria generally focus on technical merit, feasibility, potential impact, and alignment with program goals, as well as the capability of the project team. While specific evaluation criteria are detailed in the full announcement, applicants should expect a competitive review process involving subject matter experts. The timeline for this opportunity includes a posting date of July 23, 2026, and a final application deadline of September 22, 2026. Applications must be submitted by this date to be considered for funding. The program anticipates making approximately sixteen awards, with a total program funding amount of 65,500,000 dollars. Individual awards may reach up to 28,000,000 dollars, supporting large-scale and potentially multi-phase projects. The archive date of October 22, 2026 indicates when the opportunity will no longer be actively listed. For additional information or assistance, applicants may contact the designated program representative at the National Energy Technology Laboratory. The listed contact is Gina Franke, who can be reached via email at gina.franke@netl.doe.gov. Applicants encountering issues accessing the full announcement or submission systems are encouraged to use this contact resource. This opportunity does not explicitly state recurrence, suggesting it is a one-time or non-recurring solicitation, although similar programs may be issued in future cycles at the discretion of the Department of Energy.