DOE Vehicle Technologies Office — FY2025 Program Wide Funding Opportunity
U.S. Department of Energy — Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Up to $88M (FY2025)
Federal R&D funding for EV, battery, and clean vehicle technology
The DOE Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO) FY2025 Program Wide NOFO (DE-FOA-0003514) made $88 million available for R&D projects across battery technology, smart charging infrastructure, sustainable transportation, and workforce development. Small businesses, universities, national labs, and industry consortia were all eligible. Topics included light- and heavy-duty battery improvements, EV charging innovation, connected/automated vehicle systems, and technology demonstration projects. This is a recurring multi-topic solicitation that VTO issues annually.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- Federal
- Amount range
- $500,000 – $10,000,000
- Realistic amount
- Small business project awards typically range from $500,000–$3 million per project for focused R&D topics. Larger demons…
- Deadline
- Annual — FY2025 concept paper deadline: April 1, 2025; full application deadline: June 18, 2025; award notifications expected: November 2025. FY2026 solicitation expected Q1 2026.
- Status
- between-intakes
- States
- Nationwide
- Payment model
- reimbursement
Who qualifies
- Domestic entities are eligible to apply as prime recipients or subrecipients — includes for-profit businesses, universities, national laboratories, nonprofits, Indian Tribes
- Foreign entities are generally not eligible as prime recipients
- At least 20% cost share required for most topics (from non-federal sources)
- Must have active SAM.gov registration with UEI
- Applications submitted through EERE Exchange (eere-exchange.energy.gov)
- Concept paper required as first step — full applications by invitation only
Hard requirements
- Must be incorporated
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Personnel (salaries and fringe benefits for project staff)
- Laboratory equipment and instrumentation
- Materials and supplies for R&D
- Subcontractors and consultants (up to 50% typically)
- Travel directly related to project execution
- Indirect/overhead costs (F&A rates negotiated with DOE)
Ineligible expenses
- Lobbying activities
- Entertainment and alcohol
- Pre-award costs without prior DOE approval
- Profit on cost-plus contracts where recipient is a for-profit
- Work performed outside the U.S. (limited exceptions for global R&D partnerships)
How to apply
-
1
Read the NOFO and identify relevant topic areas
Download the full NOFO from eere-exchange.energy.gov. FY2025 covered: Battery/Storage, Lightweight/Efficient Vehicles, Electric Drive Technologies, Connected/Automated Vehicles, Sustainable Transportation, and Workforce. Select topic areas where your technology is best matched.
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2
Submit concept paper (mandatory first step)
Concept papers are mandatory — DOE only invites select concept paper authors to submit full applications. Concept papers are typically 4–6 pages describing technical approach, team qualifications, expected outcomes, and budget estimate. Submit by the concept paper deadline on EERE Exchange.
-
3
Receive invitation and submit full application
DOE reviews concept papers and notifies applicants whether to submit a full application (typically within 4–6 weeks). Full applications include: project narrative, detailed work plan, budget, team qualifications, letters of support, and cost-share commitment documentation.
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4
DOE merit review and negotiation
DOE conducts a merit review panel. Selected projects enter award negotiation. For cooperative agreements, DOE has active involvement in project direction — expect quarterly reporting and go/no-go milestones.
Industry & certifications
NAICS codes: 336111, 336120, 335911, 541713, 541330
VTO program managers often publish informational webinars before the NOFO drops — watch the VTO news page and attend. DOE Program Officers value industry-academic partnerships; teaming with a national lab strengthens technical credibility significantly.
Deadline & timing
VTO issues a Program Wide NOFO annually, typically opening in Q1 and closing in Q2 for concept papers. Full applications are by invitation only. FY2026 solicitation had not been officially published at time of curation — monitor eere-exchange.energy.gov.
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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.