This solicitation provides cost-share funding for eligible projects to applicants that apply for and receive an award under eligible federal Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs). The program is administered by the California Energy Commission's Energy Research and Development Division through the Clean Hydrogen Program.
Eligible federal FOAs include: DE-FOA-0002922 (Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: Clean Hydrogen Electrolysis, Manufacturing, and Recycling), DE-FOA-0003439 (Advanced Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies to Drive National Goals), and DE-FOA-0003366 (Oxygen-conducting Solid Oxide Fuel Cells and Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells Research and Development for Hydrogen Production).
Applications are submitted through the Grant Solicitation System (GSS). The solicitation has been active since its release on May 23, 2023, with submission deadlines that vary by specific federal FOA. Applicants must complete multiple required forms including the Application Form, Project Narrative, Project Team Form, Proposal Budget Template, CEQA Compliance Form, Reference and Work Product Form, Commitment and Support Letters Form, Project Performance Metrics, and Applicant Declaration. The program requires California Benefits Enhancement (CBE) considerations and tracking of funds spent in California.
Three addenda have been released (Addendum 1, 2, and 3) to clarify and update solicitation requirements. Applicants should consult the Solicitation Manual and Questions and Answers document for detailed submission requirements, evaluation criteria, and technical specifications. Notice of Letters of Intent (NOLOI) results have been released for FOAs 0002922 and 0003439, while FOA 0003366 operates without NOLOI requirements.