The Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC) under the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced its intent to re-issue a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). This anticipated funding opportunity, titled "Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Battery Materials Processing and Battery Manufacturing," is expected to provide approximately $725 million in federal funding for new awards. This is the third release of competitive funding supporting BIL Sections 40207(b) and (c), which aim to strengthen domestic manufacturing and supply chains for battery materials and components.

The objective of this funding opportunity is to advance the domestic battery supply chain by ensuring the U.S. has a secure and independent source of critical materials necessary for battery production. This effort supports broader governmental goals of increasing economic security, reducing reliance on foreign competitors, and fostering energy independence. MESC aims to invest over $6 billion in developing a resilient and economically competitive supply chain for critical battery materials, including raw material production, material refinement, battery component manufacturing, and end-of-life recycling.

Under this FOA, the DOE will prioritize applicants that do not source battery materials from Foreign Entities of Concern (FEOC) and do not export recovered critical materials to such entities. Award amounts will range between $50 million and $200 million, with an estimated period of performance between 24 and 60 months. The funding is anticipated to support a variety of project types, including capital and operational support for battery manufacturing, processing facilities, and recycling initiatives.

The expected areas of interest under this opportunity include the creation of domestic manufacturing and recycling capacity for battery cathode and anode materials, battery electrolytes and electrolyte salts, pre-industrial scale cell manufacturing, and materials processing. The DOE has identified supply chain gaps in these areas and seeks projects that enhance domestic production capabilities while promoting circular economy principles.

Entities interested in applying will need to register through the Infrastructure Exchange platform, which will be the official portal for application submission. Additionally, applicants must be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM), FedConnect, and Grants.gov to receive relevant updates. While Grants.gov will provide notifications, applications will only be accepted through the Infrastructure Exchange.

MESC expects to officially release the funding opportunity in spring 2025. While this notice serves as an advance announcement, the details within remain subject to change. Once released, the full FOA will provide additional instructions on eligibility criteria, application submission, and evaluation metrics. Organizations seeking to apply should prepare by ensuring their registration and compliance with the necessary federal platforms.
The primary objective of the ITAC Implementation Grant Program is to bolster the American manufacturing base by improving business performance, increasing energy affordability, and creating pathways to high-quality jobs. This is achieved by driving federal investment into manufacturing communities and utilizing registered apprenticeship programs and ITAC Program participants in implementation efforts. The program operates on a rolling basis, with applications reviewed quarterly. The current funding pool is up to $80 million, with more expected to be available through FY2026.

Eligible applicants for the grants include domestic entities engaged in manufacturing or water and wastewater treatment facilities, with specific NAICS codes. Applicants must have gross annual sales of less than $100 million, annual energy bills between $100,000 and $3.5 million, and fewer than 500 employees at the assessed plant site. Additionally, projects must address recommendations from assessments conducted since January 1, 2018, or qualified assessments since January 1, 2021, and must not have been previously implemented. The minimum total project cost is $10,000.

Applications are evaluated based on impact and feasibility, need for financial assistance, and cost share. Factors considered include the potential improvement in energy efficiency and productivity, the project's competitiveness, project management approach, and the degree of financial need. The DOE may also consider portfolio-wide program policy factors, such as the project's contribution to the domestic manufacturing base and its potential to increase high-quality employment in the U.S.

The program requires compliance with the Davis-Bacon Act for projects involving construction, alteration, or repair work, ensuring workers are paid prevailing wages. ENERGYWERX and the DOE team provide assistance in meeting these requirements. Monthly Informational Office Hours are available for potential applicants to address any questions before submission deadlines, which are to be determined with a 30-60 day notice.

For further information or questions, interested parties can contact ENERGYWERX at info@energywerx.org. The DOE encourages feedback on the program through a survey conducted by ENERGYWERX. Applications are submitted via a form available on the ENERGYWERX website, with the next review expected in summer 2025.