Clean Energy Fund Research, Development and Demonstration Program

The Clean Energy Fund Research, Development and Demonstration Program is administered by the Washington State Department of Commerce to advance new and emerging clean energy technologies that help Washington meet its climate goals. The program supports strategic research and development work that aligns with the 2021 Washington State Energy Strategy, and it is funded through the state's Climate Commitment Act, which directs cap-and-invest revenue toward reducing climate pollution, creating jobs, and improving public health. Commerce opened this round after issuing a Request for Information in November 2025 to assess needs and demand across the sector; respondents indicated the funding would meaningfully advance innovation in Washington's clean energy industry. Approximately $10 million is available in the current round. Projects must sit at Technology Readiness Level 4 through 7 at the time of award, meaning the technology has moved past basic concept validation but is not yet fully commercial. Eligible work must fall within at least one of four technology categories: advanced bioenergy, biofuels, and biorefining; advanced energy storage, battery recycling, and battery technologies; greenhouse gas removal technologies and carbon capture; or flexible load integration and grid modernization technologies. Applicants are expected to be Washington-based for-profit companies, nonprofits, local governments, research institutions, federally recognized tribes, higher education institutions, national laboratories, or state agencies. Organizations headquartered outside Washington may still qualify if the project benefits the state and the organization maintains a significant presence in Washington through investments or research activity. Commerce held a virtual pre-application conference and publishes all written questions and responses in the Request for Applications Box folder. Successful and unsuccessful applicants are expected to be notified on or about October 23, 2026.

Technology Readiness Level 4-7 is a hard gate; state the TRL explicitly and justify it with evidence. Map the project to one of the four named technology categories in the first paragraph rather than leaving the reviewer to infer it. Tie the project to a specific goal in the 2021 State Energy Strategy. Out-of-state applicants must document Washington presence through investment or research activity, not just intent to benefit the state. Review the published Q&A in the Box folder before drafting; Commerce publishes all questions and responses there.