DOE SPARK — Speed to Power Through Advanced Reconductoring (Grid Resilience Round 3)
U.S. Department of Energy — Grid Deployment Office
Up to $1.9B total (varies per project)
$1.9B for grid modernization — for-profits eligible
The DOE SPARK Notice of Funding Opportunity (March 2026) makes up to $1.9 billion available for grid resilience and transmission upgrades under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. For-profit companies — including grid technology manufacturers, transmission developers, and electric utilities — are explicitly eligible. Projects focus on advanced reconductoring (replacing existing transmission lines with higher-capacity conductors), grid hardening, and advanced transmission technology deployments that increase speed-to-power. Concept papers due April 2026; full applications due May 2026.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- Federal
- Amount range
- $5,000,000
- Realistic amount
- Technology demonstration and deployment projects for companies in the grid equipment/services space typically range from…
- Deadline
- FY2026 round closed — concept papers were due April 2, 2026 and full applications May 20, 2026; selections anticipated August 2026. Monitor energy.gov/oe for the next round.
- Status
- between-intakes
- States
- Nationwide
- Payment model
- reimbursement
Who qualifies
- Domestic entities are eligible: for-profit companies, nonprofits, universities, state/local/tribal governments, electric utilities (public and private), and grid technology manufacturers
- Must propose projects that increase grid resilience, reliability, or transmission capacity within the United States
- Cost share required — percentage specified in NOFO (typically 20–50% for for-profit applicants)
- Projects must demonstrate meaningful reduction in outage risk, upgrade aging transmission infrastructure, or deploy advanced grid technologies
- SAM.gov registration with UEI required before award
- Concept paper submission is mandatory before full application
Hard requirements
- Must be incorporated
- Restricted to industry: electric grid, transmission, or grid-enabling technology
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Advanced conductor materials (ACCC, HTLS, or other high-capacity conductors)
- Engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) costs for reconductoring
- Grid hardening equipment (covered lines, underground conversion, storm-hardening)
- Advanced transmission monitoring systems
- Labor for installation and project management
- Permitting and environmental compliance costs
Ineligible expenses
- Routine maintenance of existing infrastructure without capacity upgrades
- Projects outside the United States
- Lobbying activities
- Pre-award costs without DOE authorization
How to apply
-
1
Submit concept paper by April 2, 2026
Prepare and submit a concept paper through eere-exchange.energy.gov describing: project technology, location, expected outcomes (MW reconductored, outage-hours avoided), team qualifications, and budget estimate. Length and format specified in NOFO.
-
2
Receive DOE invitation decision
DOE reviews concept papers for technical merit, cost effectiveness, and NOFO alignment. Applicants receive notification to proceed or not proceed to full application. Timeline: approximately 2–3 weeks post-concept paper deadline.
-
3
Submit full application by May 20, 2026
Invited applicants submit a full application including: full technical narrative, project plan, budget and justification, community benefits plan, environmental review pre-application materials, and letters of support from utility or landowner partners.
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4
DOE merit review and award negotiation
DOE conducts comprehensive merit review. Selected projects negotiate cooperative agreement terms including scope, milestones, cost share obligations, and reporting requirements. For grid projects, NEPA environmental review is required before construction.
Industry & certifications
NAICS codes: 335311, 335313, 335999, 237130, 221122
Projects with a utility partner already committed are dramatically more competitive — DOE wants to fund shovel-ready investments, not exploratory studies. If you're a grid technology manufacturer, find a utility partner before submitting the concept paper.
Deadline & timing
Concept papers are mandatory first step. Full applications by invitation only. Timeline: concept paper April 2 → DOE notification of invitation → full application May 20 → awards estimated Fall 2026.
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Last reviewed 2026. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.