The document DE-FOA-0003527 is a Request for Information (RFI) issued by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) on behalf of the Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office (AMMTO). This RFI seeks public input on the draft AMMTO Wide Bandgap (WBG) Power Electronics Strategic Framework. It is not a funding opportunity but a preliminary step to gather stakeholder feedback for shaping future programs and priorities.

The RFI highlights the growing importance of wide bandgap power electronics in meeting the increasing performance demands of critical U.S. infrastructure, including grid systems, manufacturing, transportation, and digital communications. Traditional silicon-based electronics are becoming insufficient for modern energy needs, and wide bandgap technologies, such as gallium nitride and silicon carbide, offer significant potential for higher efficiency and improved performance.

The DOE is soliciting responses to refine the strategic framework, addressing key areas such as technical challenges, innovation pathways, manufacturing scalability, workforce development, and lifecycle analyses. Specific categories for feedback include emerging trends, gaps in the deployment of power electronics systems, cross-industry collaboration opportunities, and barriers to scaling domestic manufacturing.

Respondents are encouraged to identify critical uncertainties, regulatory hurdles, and timeframes for breakthroughs in WBG technology. Input on education and workforce development needs, as well as strategies to enhance collaboration among industry, government, and academia, are also requested. The responses will inform decisions on potential future funding and program development, though no financial commitments are associated with the RFI itself.

Submissions must be made electronically by April 11, 2025, and include the respondent’s name, institution, contact details, and specific feedback. The DOE will use the information for planning purposes but does not guarantee a subsequent Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Participants are advised not to include confidential or proprietary information in their responses.