The ARPA-E Galvanizing Leaps in Advanced Super Insulating Glass (GLASING) program, announced under Funding Opportunity No. DE-FOA-0003488, focuses on advancing the thermal performance of Insulated Glass Units (IGUs) to improve energy efficiency in buildings by over three times the current double-pane IGU technology standard. This program targets reducing energy loss, utility costs, and CO2 emissions through high-performance IGU innovations that integrate advanced materials and manufacturing techniques, suitable for both new and retrofit building applications. Key innovations sought include vacuum-insulated glazing (VIG) and faster aerogel production methods to achieve greater clarity, low haze, and cost-effective manufacturing solutions. The overarching goal is to ensure these IGUs meet thermal and aesthetic performance targets cost-competitively.

Eligible applicants for the GLASING program include U.S.-based educational institutions, for-profit entities, nonprofits, and consortia. Foreign entities can apply under specific conditions, such as through a U.S.-based subsidiary or by securing a Foreign Entity Waiver. National laboratories and government organizations may participate as project team members. Submissions must adhere to cost-sharing requirements, with a baseline cost share set at 20% of the total project cost, though certain nonprofit and small business configurations may qualify for reduced or waived cost-share contributions. Each project must include a finance/budget professional to ensure compliance with federal contracting and cost management standards.

Applications for the GLASING program are multi-staged. Interested parties must submit a mandatory Concept Paper by November 26, 2024, which, if encouraged, leads to a full application phase. The Concept Paper should outline the project's scope, innovative approach, and technology’s transformational potential. A technical volume, SF-424, and budget justification are required components of the full application. Additional requirements include a business assurances form, summary slides, and a public project summary. ARPA-E reviews each phase for technical responsiveness and merit based on criteria like the impact on energy efficiency, the feasibility of achieving R-10 insulation targets, and team expertise.

The award will provide approximately $18 million, subject to Congressional appropriations, distributed across projects valued between $500,000 and $3 million. Prototypes are expected to achieve a whole-window R-value exceeding R-10, with testing by third-party certifiers to confirm thermal, optical, and durability benchmarks. ARPA-E emphasizes the importance of multidisciplinary teams with expertise across areas like materials science, manufacturing, and techno-economic analysis, to advance scalable IGU solutions that reduce energy loss while fitting seamlessly within existing window designs.

The anticipated period of performance for GLASING projects spans from July 2025 to July 2028, with award notifications expected in April 2025. Projects will proceed in two phases: the first half focused on risk-reducing design and testing, and the second on manufacturing scale-up and commercialization. Strict adherence to submission guidelines and timelines via ARPA-E’s eXCHANGE platform is critical, with no accommodations for late submissions.