The Regional Direct Air Capture Hubs Recurring Program issued by the U.S. Department of Energy aims to support the commercialization and expansion of direct air capture technologies to achieve significant carbon dioxide removal while supporting community benefits and advancing the clean energy economy. This program will fund projects across three topic areas: infrastructure access platforms, mid-scale commercial direct air capture facilities, and large-scale commercial direct air capture facilities.

The total funding available under this opportunity is up to 1.8 billion dollars beginning in fiscal year 2026, with individual awards ranging from 50 million dollars to 600 million dollars, depending on the topic area. Awards will be provided as cooperative agreements or through the DOE's Other Transaction authority. The program anticipates supporting up to three infrastructure access platforms, four to eight mid-scale commercial facilities, and two to six large-scale commercial facilities. Projects will be implemented over a maximum performance period of 10 years, depending on the project scope.

Eligible applicants include domestic institutions of higher education, for-profit and nonprofit organizations, state and local governments, and Indian tribes. All applicants and subrecipients must be domestic entities, although limited waivers for foreign participation may be requested. Federally funded research and development centers are eligible to participate as subrecipients but cannot apply as prime recipients. All projects require a minimum cost share of 50 percent of the total project costs, which must be met for each budget period. Cost share can include cash, in-kind contributions, and tax credits.

Applications must address specific technical and project readiness criteria, including plans for engineering design, technology deployment, site selection, carbon dioxide storage or utilization, energy inputs, and environmental and safety risk management. Proposals must also include a community benefits plan that demonstrates meaningful engagement with communities, workforce development, and commitments to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. The environmental impact of projects, including measurement, reporting, and verification of carbon dioxide emissions reductions, must be rigorously documented through life cycle analysis.

The application process consists of two stages. Concept papers or pre-applications are due on January 31, 2025, by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Full applications must be submitted by July 31, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time through the DOE’s OCED eXCHANGE platform. Concept papers will be reviewed for eligibility and programmatic alignment, and DOE will encourage or discourage applicants from submitting full proposals. Awards are expected to be announced in December 2025, with final negotiations completed by spring 2026.

Applications will be evaluated based on technical merit, project readiness, financial and market viability, and the ability to deliver measurable community benefits. Proposals will undergo a rigorous review process, including go/no-go decision points between project phases. All funded projects must comply with applicable federal requirements, including the Buy America provision for infrastructure projects and Davis-Bacon Act labor standards. For additional information, applicants may contact the DOE program office or submit questions to the designated email address provided in the announcement.